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Anyone been in seas like this? Tell us your story.

  • Thread starter Thread starter ralexa6808
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I was in a Typhoon in Tonkin Gulf, I think it was 66 but could have a year plus or minus on a Guided Missile Destroyer. We were burying the bow into waves and throwing water over the top of the mast. The bow was 40 foot plus and the mast with the surface search radar (SPS 10) on top was about 100 feet above sea level. The radar went out in the middle of the storm and it took me 4 hours to figure out why.... the force of the water had broken 1/2 inch think plexiglass on the wave guide feedhorn and filled the waveguide with sea water all the way down to the transmitter down below sea level. The Chief got an electric drill from the Machinsts and put a hole in the elbow and we drained it into buckets.... the radar worked on and off for the rest of the storm as water got in and we fixed a few days later when it calmed down enough to go up the mast.

That video didn't look all that bad to me ....
 
WHO shot this footage? And from where?
 
Pate,

That's what we were doing.... but in a 450 foot ship with a big raised bow. That shallow water in Tonkin Gulf combine with a full fledged Typhoon can whip up some really big waves.
 
Yep, same as Bill. Biggest I've been in was in a Guided Missile Frigate in 1987 of the North West Shelf of Western Australia. I went up the the Helo control station in between the top of the hangers, overlooking the flight deck so I'm some 60ft off the water there and in the bottom of the trough I was looking up at least 45 degrees on both sides to the top of the swell.

INCREDIBLE. I wouldn't have missed it for the world.


Fun times in the R.A.N. :cool:
 
I quit telling people about my experience on a weather ship (DER 383) operating in Antarctic waters on Operation Deepfreeze in 1967 because I could tell they didn't believe me. Here we go again.....I served on the USS Mills (DER 383) an Edsall class destroyer escort launched on May 26, 1943 (same day I was launched). She displaced 1590 tons and was 306 feet long.

We rode out a storm for six days in 1967 with the average sea about 35-40 feet, When we could no longer go into the seas because the ship was bending so badly (suffered 8 cracks in the hull), Captain H.C. Morris brought the Mills about to run with the seas. We were hit broadside by a sea and went over 62 degrees (the righting moment on the ship was 68 degrees). Put on power for 7 knots to maintain steerage and at the end of 3 days had made 21 knots good over the bottom!! Life expectancy in Antarctic waters was less than 5 minutes!

Got back in New Zealand and went right into dry dock to get welded back up. 10 days later back on station in nearly the same weather. Its true!! Even now I find it hard to believe that I lived through it. The Mills was sold for scrap ($65,000 in March 1975). Mel Tucker
 
jim rosenthal said:
WHO shot this footage? And from where?
Click to expand...

That second clip is professionally produced footage that's been around for a while. I think some of that is from "The Perfect Storm." Notice how steady it is, how the camera is tracking around the ship? There's also at least 4 different vessels featured here. The interior shots are definitely staged.
 
Mel Tucker said:
I quit telling people about my experience on a weather ship (DER 383) operating in Antarctic waters on Operation Deepfreeze in 1967 because I could tell they didn't believe me. Here we go again.....I served on the USS Mills (DER 383) an Edsall class destroyer escort launched on May 26, 1943 (same day I was launched). She displaced 1590 tons and was 306 feet long.

We rode out a storm for six days in 1967 with the average sea about 35-40 feet, When we could no longer go into the seas because the ship was bending so badly (suffered 8 cracks in the hull), Captain H.C. Morris brought the Mills about to run with the seas. We were hit broadside by a sea and went over 62 degrees (the righting moment on the ship was 68 degrees). Put on power for 7 knots to maintain steerage and at the end of 3 days had made 21 knots good over the bottom!! Life expectancy in Antarctic waters was less than 5 minutes!

Got back in New Zealand and went right into dry dock to get welded back up. 10 days later back on station in nearly the same weather. Its true!! Even now I find it hard to believe that I lived through it. The Mills was sold for scrap ($65,000 in March 1975). Mel Tucker
Click to expand...


I dont believe you.


:)
 
Video looks the view from the lower helm of our 53MY in the Delaware Bay every time we've been on it. :)
 
I wanted to go to sea and have memories like these, but I got sent to a repair ship (USS Canopus) way up the cooper river , north of Charleston. We worked night and day, busting our butts under high security. I have no sea stories to tell. My hat is off to yall bronco busting Destroyer cruisers.
 
magnawake said:
I wanted to go to sea and have memories like these, but I got sent to a repair ship (USS Canopus) way up the cooper river , north of Charleston. We worked night and day, busting our butts under high security. I have no sea stories to tell. My hat is off to yall bronco busting Destroyer cruisers.
Click to expand...

It is a shame that you didn't get to sea the way you wanted to, Pate.

I just took a look at Canopus and you guys sure accomplished some great stuff with your Sub Tender work.

Looks like she traveled a bit but only to get to a spot and stay there for a long time to conduct refits.

From what I've read of the work done on Canopus, I'll bet the maintenance on your own boat is on schedule and award winning. :)
 
Mel Tucker said:
I quit telling people about my experience on a weather ship (DER 383) operating in Antarctic waters on Operation Deepfreeze in 1967 because I could tell they didn't believe me. Here we go again.....I served on the USS Mills (DER 383) an Edsall class destroyer escort launched on May 26, 1943 (same day I was launched). She displaced 1590 tons and was 306 feet long.

We rode out a storm for six days in 1967 with the average sea about 35-40 feet, When we could no longer go into the seas because the ship was bending so badly (suffered 8 cracks in the hull), Captain H.C. Morris brought the Mills about to run with the seas. We were hit broadside by a sea and went over 62 degrees (the righting moment on the ship was 68 degrees). Put on power for 7 knots to maintain steerage and at the end of 3 days had made 21 knots good over the bottom!! Life expectancy in Antarctic waters was less than 5 minutes!

Got back in New Zealand and went right into dry dock to get welded back up. 10 days later back on station in nearly the same weather. Its true!! Even now I find it hard to believe that I lived through it. The Mills was sold for scrap ($65,000 in March 1975). Mel Tucker
Click to expand...

Mel, I've seen the results of ships coming out of the Southern Ocean and have seen footage too.

And, knowing how a warship captain doesn't shy away from a challenge to get the job done, I have no problem believing your tale :)
 
Seabrooke said:
It is a shame that you didn't get to sea the way you wanted to, Pate.

I just took a look at Canopus and you guys sure accomplished some great stuff with your Sub Tender work.

Looks like she traveled a bit but only to get to a spot and stay there for a long time to conduct refits.

From what I've read of the work done on Canopus, I'll bet the maintenance on your own boat is on schedule and award winning. :)
Click to expand...

Yes we did accomplish many goals. I was on there from yrs 80-84. I did go to sea a few times for short cruises down to Ft. Lauderdale. We were working so hard inside we hardly were able to go outside. Truth is about my boat, I cant seem to keep up with everything. I feel like a fire fighter. I keep putting out little fires. Everytime I put one out, another flames up. Not to meantion trying to keep the bright work looking good. The isenglass is always needing to be cleaned. Waxing is a never ending thing. I guess I'm preaching to the choir. I'm never satisfied. Always much to do, and so little time.
 
So, in 1945 nearing the end of the war the USS Pittsburg, a heavy cruiser, was in a typhoon in the Pacific. She smashed into 2 huge waves and the bow broke off just forward of #1 turret. She limped into Guam at 6 knts. A false bow was fitted so she could cruise to Puget Sound Naval shipyard for a new bow. Meanwhile, a fleet tug towed the still floating bow to Guam where they made a big deal of salvaging the ground tackle (something must have been in short supply). She was called "the longest ship in the world" because the bow was in Guam and the rest in Bremerton, Wa.

War over before rebuild was complete.

And get this: no lives lost! You can check this out online and see some pics.

Gary
 
I heard or read somewhere that in a war, either Korea or WW-II that several destroyer were trying to ride out a typhoon when they just ran out of fuel. It was too rough to refuel them. They sank due to not being able to keep the bow into the waves. They all rolled over and got water in the stacks. I looked on the web and couldnt find anything about them. I also cant remember how many sank, but it was several. Back then the destroyers were called "tin cans". I toured a couple old ones and you can see why they were called that. They are really small, and seemed like the bow would just go right through the waves. A rough ride to say the least.
 
Pate, if you are interested in this storm, I read this book over the summer: http://www.amazon.com/Typhoon-Other-Enemy-Pacific-December/dp/0870215108 The gist is the engineering board screwed the pooch and allowed rearmament the made this class of destroyer too top heavy (this ships had very narrow beam to length to begin with). Coupled with Halsey's orders based on erroneous and scant information to turn the fleet toward the typhoon center instead of away from it. A very amazing story and fortunate more vessels were not lost.
 
Not sure if you guys have seen these videos (Google 65 Hatteras on Youtube and see the videos "MOMMY! 65 Hatteras getting the job done." (there are a series of 5 or 6) - the seas don't even come close to what's in the first video clip but it sure sold me on the 65C!

You never know when you're going to get caught in something…if and when I do; I'd rather be on a Hatteras.

Sorry - I tried to post the direct link but since I'm new I'm not allowed until I have 5 posts!
 
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