An end of an era for some.
> An end of an era for some.
>
>
> One "Proud Lady" heads to scrap-heap
From one BigE to another..... a sad day indeed.
I have 3 uncles that served aboard the Big E from the early 60s to the early-mid 70s.
I've been aboard lots of ships but never have even seen Big E in person.
Sad day indeed.
As a former sailor (now Air Force 25 w/years total and counting) we used to have a saying: "There are only 2 types of ships in the world....Submarines and TARGETS". The BigE will be missed.
> Sad day indeed.
> As a former sailor (now Air Force 25 w/years total and counting) we used to have a saying: "There are only 2 types of ships in the world....Submarines and TARGETS". The BigE will be missed.
You remind me of when I might say "boat" instead of "ship".
All the submariners I have known refer to their craft as the "boat".
Above water sailors seem to be a little irate when I refer to their craft as a "boat". "No, dam it! It's a SHIP not a boat!". That's from a 'Nam vet friend of mine. If we weren't good friends I believe he might just hit me.
Far as I'm concerned (not much), just give me some fins and a k-bar and throw me out in the water. I can deal with it from there.
Saw it once as a kid and was captivated. The grand ship will live on in our memories (as well as the Enterprise NCC-1701).
You are absolutly correct about Boat vs Ship. The quote is designed to elicit that same response your friend had. Skimmers are so sensitive.
Hooyah or oorah for the fins and k-bar, kudos to either.
My preference has changed to hard packed (dry) Air Field's, where we arm-up the planes and wave good bye to the Officer's as THEY head into battle. Think about that concept!
> You are absolutly correct about Boat vs Ship. The quote is designed to elicit that same response your friend had. Skimmers are so sensitive.
>
> Hooyah or oorah for the fins and k-bar, kudos to either.
>
> My preference has changed to hard packed (dry) Air Field's, where we arm-up the planes and wave good bye to the Officer's as THEY head into battle. Think about that concept!
Roger all that.
Mine was "ooyah" Master Chief Instructor. And, don't dare look them in the eye.
The "oorah" came from my Army Ranger and Marine Recon buddies.
I still say "get me wet with fins and a k-bar and I'll still prosecute my mission".
Ships vs Boats
For surface sailors, the distinction is that ships are those vessels large enough to carry boats, and boats are anything small enough to be carried on a ship.
For submariners, the word is always "the boat" for the vessel they sail in, and everything else is target. Don't ask me why. Submariners are a different breed.
Sailors are pretty particular about terminology, and for good reason. One can go "aboard" a boat or a ship, but once "onboard", you are "in" that ship or boat. Example: I first went onboard the NOAA Ship Rainier in 1979, and for the next three years I sailed in her.
At sea there is only one clear way to say anything, and that is with proper nautical parlance. Otherwise confusion might reign. Confusion and a fire at sea are the two greatest dangers for mariners on the bleak ocean.
Any vessel large enough to have barbershops... well, that would probably be an aircraft carrier. Sayonara to the USS Enterprise, and kudos for a job well done.
August 2011, I was visiting my boy in Norfolk just before he left the Navy and got a chance to visit his ship DDG-95. She was tied up across the pier from the Big E. We were told she was prepping for her next deployment. Didn't know then it would be here last.
For whatever reason photography is prohibited while on the pier but not while aboard ship. Took this one after boarding the James E Williams.
Here is a couple taken of the Williams.
That's the 5" gun and by now totally bored 7 year old granddaughter.
Not sure if it was for maintenance purposes or if some stupid tourist playing around caused the sign.
Was an awesome time wandering the ship, eating lunch in the mess, and being told "I can't talk about that". Met a nice bunch of kids.
My uncle Stuart served on the Big E from 1968 to 1972, sadly lost three fellow crewmen in 1969 when he got first hand experience in why every sailor is a fireman. The guy in the bunk above him died in the initial explosion and the guy at his feet died a few days later, tragic event. The bulkhead curled in over his bunk and saved his life. That was the day he got religion, been a good Catholic ever since.
:good:
I seem to remember a USN ship by the name of Cole with a hole in the side exposing the mess deck riding another ship back to the USA. So the old definition of a boat being the only vessel capable of riding on ships no longer holds. Always wondered why the Cole was not towed back with a steel bubble built over the hole like was done on the Ammen DD 527, that worked but an anchor watch was maintained on board while under tow, still would have been much cheaper to do, a Navy fleet tug and a frigate escort would have done it.
jud
Ships vs Boats
During the age of sail "ship" referred to a specific type of rig.
Other types were brig, sloop, schooner, brigantine, etc.
Then the Royal Navy further confused things by sometimes calling brigs sloops.
Ships vs Boats
> For surface sailors, the distinction is that ships are those vessels large enough to carry boats, and boats are anything small enough to be carried on a ship.
>
> For submariners, the word is always "the boat" for the vessel they sail in, and everything else is target. Don't ask me why. Submariners are a different breed.
>
> Sailors are pretty particular about terminology, and for good reason. One can go "aboard" a boat or a ship, but once "onboard", you are "in" that ship or boat. Example: I first went onboard the NOAA Ship Rainier in 1979, and for the next three years I sailed in her.
>
> At sea there is only one clear way to say anything, and that is with proper nautical parlance. Otherwise confusion might reign. Confusion and a fire at sea are the two greatest dangers for mariners on the bleak ocean.
>
> Any vessel large enough to have barbershops... well, that would probably be an aircraft carrier. Sayonara to the USS Enterprise, and kudos for a job well done.
For all you experienced Navy types out there is it preferable to go to sea in the largest ships (i.e., aircraft carrier) or the smaller ships (i.e., subs, destroyers, etc.).
Ships vs Boats
I always preferred smaller vessels, closer to what was happening, but what I really wanted was a well trained and experienced crew and a well maintained and sound vessel. Been at sea in a drifting LCVP, 36' troller, 2100 class destroyer, Baltimore class cruiser, 3 LST's, destroyer escourt, almost forgot the LSD I was on for some gunnery training. Liked the troller, destroyer and LST best. Spent some time in PBR's, but they were running rivers.
jud
