Spacehog 2,218 Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 Daughters on a tour of the USS Alabama in Mobile. Had the honor and privilege of having actual veterans who served on the Alabama and the USS Drum (Submarine) to tell them what life was like aboard both ships. They were fascinated, and I am proud papa to have two Patriot daughters who care where this country has been, and where it is going. 10 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
U.S. Pratorean 1,234 Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 (edited) Been there a couple times. In summer that ship is an oven. All that steel heated up. Makes you think and really appreciate those guys that served on these, especially when you have jap zeros shooting at you and flying into your ship at full throttle. Flew over it once too. From 30,000 ft it is still easily recognizable. The armor on the front of those 16 in turrets is like 6ft thick. Mighty impressive and this is not a New Jersey class battle ship. They are even bigger. This was also the ship used in the Steven segal movie "under siege" the sub the bad guys were using was, yep you guessed it the USS Drum. Edited October 5, 2015 by JAG 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sim_Player 1,939 Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 (edited) That would take a really really big gun-safe. Going to be on Oahu, New Years 2016. We skipped the Pearl Harbor Tour last time (it broke the budget). I couldn't believe the prices. We'll pay the Heritage Tax, this time around, for a glimpse into our history. Edited October 5, 2015 by Sim_Player 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
breid1970 327 Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 (edited) i served on the U.S.S. Wisconsin for 3 years. Amazing ship. We even had a fully Marine manned 5" gun mount with the exception of the magazine. Sailors manned those. The main deck was lined with Teak wood. The sailors would muster huge working parties and holy stone the wood sanding it down. It was an amazing ship. She was a tough old broad. I miss her some days. Thats my girl. Edited October 5, 2015 by reid17 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spacehog 2,218 Posted October 5, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 Most people do not realize how big a 16" gun is until they are standing next to one. It was extremely hot, but they are adding AC in several areas.....a luxury that her sailors didn't enjoy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
G O B 3,516 Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 16" guns are so big that Sailors would climb thru the barrels to clean and inspect them! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Vance665 225 Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 Better to have it and not need it. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mancat 2,368 Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 (edited) That would take a really really big gun-safe. Going to be on Oahu, New Years 2016. We skipped the Pearl Harbor Tour last time (it broke the budget). I couldn't believe the prices. We'll pay the Heritage Tax, this time around, for a glimpse into our history. I don't know about guided tours at Pearl Harbor but it's not that expensive to get in and walk around or go on board the Mo - it was maybe $15. It was surprising to me how much stuff was left on board the ship. I had a long chat with one of the volunteers on board who was an ET. Got to see around some locked areas around the CIC and radio room. There is still a bit of electronics/computing hardware left in the racks. There was still VHF gear and ancient digital Loran-C receiver on the bridge. What blew me away was just how thick the steel was on the armored conning tower.... holy shit. Engine room is not open.. disappointing but not a very safe place for general tours. I wonder what sort of state of readiness the plant is in. Prepare to be annoyed by the incredibly disrespectful younger Japanese tourists, taking photos of themselves smiling and flashing peace signs over the still weeping hulk of the Arizona memorial. Edited October 5, 2015 by mancat 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
macbeau 902 Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 If I can't cast for it, or have the dies for it, or the primers for it, or the brass, for it, or the projectile weights more than an ounce and a half... It is out of my immediate consideration. Impressive, and worthy of consideration..., But, immediately irrelevant... Kudos to those who served them! Macbeau.... 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
patriot 7,197 Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 Been there a couple times. In summer that ship is an oven. All that steel heated up. Makes you think and really appreciate those guys that served on these, especially when you have jap zeros shooting at you and flying into your ship at full throttle. Flew over it once too. From 30,000 ft it is still easily recognizable. The armor on the front of those 16 in turrets is like 6ft thick. Mighty impressive and this is not a New Jersey class battle ship. They are even bigger. This was also the ship used in the Steven segal movie "under siege" the sub the bad guys were using was, yep you guessed it the USS Drum. No such thing. The USS New Jersey is an Ohio class battleship. The Alabama is a South Dakota Class, and the smaller of the two, but still impressive as hell, even by today's standards. I wish the Iowas were still active. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
patriot 7,197 Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 Prepare to be annoyed by the incredibly disrespectful younger Japanese tourists, taking photos of themselves smiling and flashing peace signs over the still weeping hulk of the Arizona memorial. Take a few cans of Cream of Mushroom soup with you to hand out to the annoying ones. I hadn't seen this news story before, but it's fitting here in this thread. This is what has become of the sacrifices many have made in the service of their Nation and Freedom. FUCK CBS http://www.tonysrants.com/military/cbs-hawaii-five-o-cast-and-crew-disrespect-world-war-ii-survivors/ 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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