Anybody remember the USS STARK?

[colmurph]

I sadly watched today as sections of the STARK were offloaded from a barge to go into a scrap yard at Camden Marine Terminal. She was cut up into about 200 pieces at the old Philly Navy Yard and shipped over to Camden to be further reduced to scrap that will probably go to Korea or Japan to be melted down and turned into a Tanker or Container Ship.

[locksly]

I remember the USS STARK and how Saddam tried to sink it with a guided missile. I also remember the USS Leahy and all the cruisers of her class we did have in our navy . They are all faded memories now. Reduced to scrap by a government that thinks we are at peace. All the nuclear cruisers are all gone now to every thing that used steam for power .


USS Stark (FFG-31), twenty-third ship of the Oliver Hazard Perry class of guided-missile frigates, was the only U.S. Navy vessel named for Admiral Harold Rainsford Stark (1880?1972). In 1987, it became the victim of the only successful guided missile attack on a U.S. Navy warship.

The next day, Admiral href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_R._Stark">Harold R. Stark, Commander, Naval Forces, Europe, came on board and broke his flag on the Washington, establishing a temporary administrative headquarters on board.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Washington_%28BB-56%29


The Oliver Hazard Perry class of frigates were purchased by the U.S. Navy in the 1970s and 1980s as general-purpose escort vessels capable enough to do most jobs adequately, yet cheap enough to be bought in large quantities to replace aging World War II-era destroyers.

They are named after Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry.

Oliver_Hazard_Perry_class_frigate



The missing numbers in the guided-missile cruiser series, 43-46, were not used so that DDG-47 Ticonderoga and DDG-48 Yorktown could be redesignated without re-numbering. It has been argued in some sources that the DDG-993 Kidd class guided missile destroyers, which were essentially identically armed to the non-VLS Ticonderoga class cruisers, should have been redesignated CG-43 through -46. Likewise, CG-13, CG-14 and CG-15 were skipped so the Leahy-class guided missile frigates (DLG-16 class) could be redesignated without renumbering.

CG-1 through 8 and CG-10 through 12 were converted from World War II cruisers. CAG-1 USS Boston and CAG-2 USS Canberra retained most of their World War II-vintage gun armament and were later returned to their gun cruiser designations CA-69 and CA-70. Before 30 June 1975, CG-16 USS Leahy through CGN-38 USS Virginia were designated DLG or DLGN (Guided Missile Frigate (Nuclear powered)). They were redesignated cruisers in the 1975 fleet realignment. CGN-39 USS Texas and CGN-40 USS Mississippi were laid down as DLGNs but redesignated CGN before commissioning. CG-47 Ticonderoga and CG-48 Yorktown were ordered as guided missile destroyers (DDG) but were redesignated to guided missile cruisers (CG) before any ship was laid down. CGN-9 Long Beach, CGN-41 Arkansas and CG-49 through 74 were ordered, laid down and delivered as guided missile cruisers. Long Beach was the only cruiser since World War II built on a true "cruiser hull," and for over ten years was the only new-build guided missile cruiser in the fleet.

List_of_cruisers_of_the_United_States_Navy
16 Leahy class

Modern US Navy Guided Missile Cruisers perform primarily in a Battle Force role. These ships are multi-mission (AAW, ASW, ASUW) surface combatants capable of supporting carrier or battleship battle groups, amphibious forces, or of operating independently and as flagships of surface action groups. Due to their extensive combat capability, these ships have been designated as Battle Force Capable (BFC) units.

The Leahy-class were "double-end" guided missile Guided Missile Destroyer Leader [DLG], which as with other similar ships were reclassified as Guide Missile Cruisers [CG] on 30 June 1975. The class was given an AAW upgrade during the late-1960's and early 1970's, with Terrier launchers modified to fire Terrier or Standard SM-1ER missiles. The 3"/50 guns were replaced by 8 Harpoon missiles, the Terrier launchers were upgraded to fire the Standard SM-2ER missile, and 2 Phalanx CIWS were added. All were upgraded under the late-1980's New Threat Upgrade (NTU) program, which included combat system capability improvements to the ship's Air Search Radars (SPS-48E and SPS-49), Fire Control Radars (SPG-55B), and Combat Direction System (CDS). These improvements provided an accurate means of coordinating the engagements of multiple air targets with SM-2 Extended Range missiles. During the NTU overhaul, all spaces were renovated, berthing and food service areas were refurbished, and the engineering plant was fully overhauled.

The entire class was taken out of service in the early 1990's, stricken and transferred to the Maritime Administration for disposal.

Specifications
Displacement
7,800 tons (full load)

Length
533 feet;

Beam
55 feet

Max Speed
33 knots

Power Plant
4 - 1200 psi boilers; 2 geared turbines
2 shafts 85,000 shaft horsepower

Aircraft
None - VERTREP hover areas only

Armament
Standard Missiles (ER)
ASROC (from MK 16 box launcher)
8 - Harpoon (from two quad launchers)
6 - MK 46 torpedoes (from 2 triple tube mounts)
2 - 20mm Phalanx CIWS

Combat Systems
SPS-48 3D Air Search Radar
SPS-49 Air Search Radar
SPS-10 Surface Search Radar or
SPS-67 Surface Search Radar

SQQ-23 Sonar

1 Mk14 Weapon Direction System
4 Mk76 Missile Fire Control System
1 Mk111 ASW Fire Control System
4 SPG-55 Radars

SLQ-25 NIXIE [Mk 6 FANFARE on CG-17]
SLQ-32 EW system

Complement
455 (27 officer, 428 enlisted)




Ships
Name
Number
Builder
Homeport
Ordered
Commissioned
Decommissioned

Leahy
CG 16
Bath
San Diego
1959
04 Aug 1962
01 Oct 1993

Harry E. Yarnell
CG 17
Bath
Norfolk
1960
02 Feb 1963
29 Oct 1993

Worden
CG 18
Bath
Pearl Harbor
1960
03 Aug 1963
01 Oct 1993

Dale
CG 19
New York SB
Mayport
1960
23 Nov 1963
27 Sep 1994

Richmond K. Turner
CG 20
New York SB
Pascagoula
1960
13 Jun 1964
13 Apr 1995

Gridley
CG 21
Puget Sound NSY
San Diego
1960
25 May 1963
21 Jan 1994

England
CG 22
Todd
San Diego
1960
07 Dec 1963
21 Jan 1994

Halsey
CG 23
San Francisco NSY
San Diego
1960
20 Jul 1963
28 Jan 1994

Reeves
CG 24
Puget Sound NSY
Yokosuka
1960
15 May 1964
12 Nov 1993






Sources and Resources
CGN 36 California Class
The mission of CALIFORNIA-class nuclear-powered guided missile cruisers is to operate offensively in the presence of air, surface, and subsurface threats. These actions may be performed independently or in support of sealift convoys, high-speed aircraft carrier task forces, or amphibious task forces. The nuclear-powered engineering plant allows the cruiser to conduct operations over extended periods of time anywhere in the world. To accomplish its mission, these ships are equipped with the latest technology and equipment including the New Threat Upgrade modernization. With a fully integrated combat system, it has the capabilities to quickly detect modern threat platforms, perform high-speed data processing and employ powerful weaponry.
This was the first class of nuclear-propelled surface warships intended for series production. These ships essentially are nuclear-propelled version of guided missile designs proposed in the early 1960s. To aid in accomplishing their assigned tasks, these ships are equiped with an extensive array of weapons and sensors. They have the older SM-1 series SAM on single arm, Mk13 Mod 3 launchers (fore and aft), two 5 inch guns (fore and aft), anti-ship capability with Harpoon SSMs, the 20mm Close In Weapon System (CIWS) and USW capability with ASROCs, These do not carry TLAMs. Sensors include a 3D air search radar, 2D air search radar, an array of surface search radars and fire control radar systems. They are also equipped with passive electronic surveillance and jamming systems unequaled by any other cruiser in the Navy. These weapons and sensors give them the ability to attack and defend against targets that are over 70 nautical miles away while being able to protect themselves from close range attacks. Two nuclear reactors provide all the energy required for the propulsion plant and electric generators. The two propulsion plants deliver 70,000 shaft horsepower, allowing sustained speeds in excess of 30 knots (nautical miles per hour) all over the world.

On the 04 September 1998 USS South Carolina completed her service to the active fleet of The United States Navy. Beginning the final Deactivation process, on 04 November 1998, the ship entered Drydock 4 at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. As of 01 October 1998 CGN-36 California was in commission in Reserve (Stand Down) at Bremerton WA at the start of the inactivation cycle.
Specifications
Power Plant
Two D2G General Electric nuclear reactors,
two shafts, 60,000 shp

Length
Overall Length: 596 ft
Waterline Length: 570 ft

Beam
Extreme Beam: 61 ft
Waterline Beam: 60 ft

Draft
Maximum Navigational Draft: 32 ft
Draft Limit: 23 ft

Displacement
Light Displacement: 10373 tons
Full Displacement: 11320 tons

Speed
30 plus knots

Aircraft
None

Helicopter Landing Capability
Landing area only, no support facilities

Armament
Standard Missiles (MR)
ASROC
8 - Harpoon (from two Mk141 quad launchers)
4 - MK 46 torpedoes (from fixed single tubes)
2 - Mk45 5-inch/54 caliber lightweight gun
2 - 20mm Phalanx CIWS

Combat Systems
SPS-40 Air Search Radar
SPS-48 3D Air Search Radar
SPS-67 Surface Search Radar

SQQ-26 Sonar [bow mounted]

1 Mk14 Weapon Direction System
2 Mk74 Missile Fire Control System
1 Mk86 Gun Fire Control System
1 Mk114 ASW Fire Control System
4 SPG-51 Radars

SLQ-25 NIXIE
SLQ-32 EW system

Crew
40 Officers, 544 Enlisted

Unit Operating Cost
Annual Average
~$40,000,000 [source: [FY1996 VAMOSC]



Ships
Name
Number
Builder
Homeport
Ordered
Commissioned
Decommissioned

California
CGN 36
Newport News
Bremerton
13 Jun 1968
16 Feb 1974
01 Oct 1998

South Carolina
CGN 37
Newport News
Norfolk
13 Jun 1968
25 Jan 1975
04 Sep 1998




CGN-38 Virginia Class
The four Virginia class guided missile cruisers were equipped to fulfill multiple tasks in all warfare mission areas. The ships were equiped with two twin-rail missile launchers for AAW with ASROC capability; two 5" .54 caliber gun mounts for AAW and ASUW; two three-barrel torpedo launchers for ASW; and a LAMPS helicopter for ASW. Two pressurized nuclear reactors were capable of propelling the ship at speeds in excess of 30 knots, providing the endurance and capability to operate with other conventional and nuclear ships over extended periods of time and great distances. During the 1980s the ships were was outfitted with the Tomahawk Cruise Missile System, the Standard SM2(MR) Missile System, and the AN/SPS-49 Air Search Radar. Planned Refueling Complex Overhauls were canceled in the early 1990s due to the expense of maintaining the nuclear propulsion components, and the ships were all decommissioned after a relatively brief period of service averaging somewhat less than two decades. Thus the CGN-41 was commissioned in 1980 with a life expectancy of 38 years, though it was retired in 1997 after only half that period in service.
Specifications
Power Plant
2 D2G General Electric nuclear reactors,
two shafts, 60,000 shp

Length
Overall Length: 586 ft
Waterline Length: 560 ft

Beam
Extreme Beam: 63 ft
Waterline Beam: 62 ft

Draft
Maximum Navigational Draft: 32 ft
Draft Limit: 23 ft

Displacement
Light Displacement: 10663 tons
Full Displacement: 11666 tons

Speed
30 plus knots

Aircraft
None

Helicopter Landing Capability
None

Armament
Standard Missiles (MR)
ASROC
8 - Tomahawk ASM/LAM (from 2 armored box launchers
8 - Harpoon (from two Mk141 quad launchers)
4 - MK 46 torpedoes (from fixed single tubes)
2 - Mk45 5-inch/54 caliber lightweight gun
2 - 20mm Phalanx CIWS

Combat Systems
SPS-40 Air Search Radar
SPS-48 3D Air Search Radar
SPS-67 Surface Search Radar

SQQ-26 Sonar [bow mounted]

1 Mk14 Weapon Direction System
2 Mk74 Missile Fire Control System
1 Mk86 Gun Fire Control System
1 Mk114 ASW Fire Control System
4 SPG-51 Radars

SLQ-25 NIXIE
SLQ-32 EW system

Crew
39 Officers, 539 Enlisted

Unit Operating Cost
Annual Average
~$40,000,000 [source: [FY1996 VAMOSC]

Unit Cost
$675 million [1990 prices]



Ships
Name
Number
Builder
Homeport
Ordered
Commissioned
Decommissioned

Virginia
CGN 38
Newport News
Norfolk
21 Dec 1971
11 Sep 1976
10 Nov 1994

Texas
CGN 39
Newport News
Alameda
21 Dec 1971
10 Sep 1977
16 Jul 1993

Mississippi
CGN 40
Newport News
Norfolk
21 Jan 1972
05 Aug 1978
28 Jul 1997

Arkansas
CGN 41
Newport News
Bremerton
31 Jan 1975
18 Oct 1980
07 Jul 1997




Sources and Resources
? FY1996 Ships Class Average Report Navy Visibility and Management of Operating and Support Costs (VAMOSC)
? USS Virginia (DLGN/CGN-38)

[39mto39g]

see attached

[Robert Ryan]

Down to sea in ships. Thank you Stark for your protection of our sea lanes.

[locksly]

Although originally slated to deply on January 1987, Acadia provided repair services to ships in the San Diego area into the spring. On 14 April, the tender sailed for the western Pacific, and after touching at Pearl Harbor (21-22 April) and Subic Bay (8-18 May), was en route to Diego Garcia when she was rerouted to the Persian Gulf.

An Iraqi Mirage F.1 had mistakenly attacked and severely damaged the guided missile frigate Stark (FFG-31) on 17 May 1987. The crippled ship had limped into Bahrain, where Acadia was dispatched soon thereafter. Between 1 and 27 June, Acadia provided berthing, messing, and repair services to Stark, "doing what she (Acadia) was designed to do, providing forward deployed support and battle damage repair . . . ."

http://www.destroyers.org/DH_AD/DH_AD-42.html