Big On Guts - Low On Age!

[HARDCORE]

I just saw a piece about the U.S.S. Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), one of our nation's most formidable aircraft carriers!

Most of the personnel aboard the (Buck Stops Here) Truman, are but youngsters themselves. With ages ranging from the late teens through the early twenties (for the most part). These young warriors, however, when united with their gallant vessel (literally, a floating city) become as mighty as Hercules Himself! Sea troopers that even John Paul Jones, David Farragut, George Dewey, Bill Halsey and Chester Nimitz, himself would be proud to command!

?The logistics of running such a ship are staggering!? As a matter of fact, with a crew topping 5550 able-bodied souls, and food service requirements of some 15000 plus meals a day, the grocery bill on this floating fortress tops $1,400,000 a month, and worth every damned penny of it at that!!

Up on deck, or so the story was told, box lunches are the order of the day. This too is not surprising, considering the 16 to 18 hour days that these men and women endure!

With ships like the U.S.S. Harry S. Truman and the fine nautical company that it keeps, the naval traditions started by ships such as the Constitution, Constellation, Bon Ami Richard, Monitor, Maine, Arizona, Hornet, Enterprise, Tang, Wahoo, PT 109, etc., etc, etc., will continue on for as long as water flows upon the surface of the Earth!

A hearty well done to all of the men and women who have gone down to the sea in ships, and especially to those who remain eternally out on patrol!!

VERITAS INFINITUM

[philly]

HC,

I had no idea how many men/women were aboard an aircraft carrier.

They must have many chow halls in order to support so many people.

Does the Navy ever have tours of their ships and aircraft carriers. That would be a neat thing to do..

[HARDCORE]

PHILLY -

Yeah, those suckers (Carriers) are huge!

As far as tours, yes they do allow tours of naval ships, at least here in San Diego. Check with the Navy to find out when the next "Fleet Week" (Parade of Ships) is scheduled here!

As far as current tours, I am unsure, however, with the war on and terrorism a genuine concern!

[philly]

Thanks HC.

What office would I call at Navy for said info.? thnx

[HARDCORE]

philly

According to the info that I was able to attain, due to the national alert status, civilian tours of naval vessels have been temporarily stopped? However, when things calm down, I was told by 32nd Street Naval Base, San Diego, that they may (?) resume.

Any questions on this subject should be directed to Navy Public Affairs - (619) 556-7356

[MORTARDUDE]

probably in the mid 1980s..we toured an old aircraft carrier of WW2 vintage in Florida.. I want to say it was the Lexington..not for sure..It was great..standing on the flight deck and creeping up to the edge was a rush !!!

Larry

[the humper]

in dock in Diego in 1998. Had the grand tour, and while on it, the galley was closed, but there was a cook there and I asked him, what they did with the bottles, napkins, etc., on the tables when they were at sea in rough weather. His reply "nothing, there is not enough movement to move them. Wish I'd been on that kind of ship, both coming and going. As HC said, paraphrasing, "they are big mothers".
SF
NC

[philly]

Thanks HC!

[reconeil]

My Godson Scott spent about 10 years of his 20 or so years (due 6 month deployments) aboard: "Flatops",...and I honestly believe that; "My Favorite Anchor Cranker" ever is still impressed by those big, powerful and beautiful Muthas.

"He" got into that providing: "15000 plus meals a day" practically from day one,...and still loves it. Though, and as a young Master Chief whose only cooking utensil nowadays is a clipboard,...hell I also wouldn't mind turning-out: "15000 plus meals a day" either.

Oh what-the-hell,...he paid his dues. So, why-the-hell should I begrudge ANYONE Serving Country with a clipboard? Besides, Scott and his family know full well that "He" will always be: "My Favorite Anchor Cranker" of all times,...whether serving with a clipboard, an M60 or 155 Howitzer.

Besides, what better friends can anyone have in The Service,...other than Cooks or Medics? Other than Good Buddies at your back,...I can't think of any others.

Neil :cl:

[Seascamp]

Greyhound of the seas, that?s what Baltimore Cruiser class was called. But when running escort/plane guard for a carrier battle group we were totally out classed. When the Ranger, Oriskiny or Hancock went to air strike launch speed we shook, rattled and rolled just trying to keep up. Really, it was impossible to flat dangerous to be anywhere near the fantail and there was no such thing as standing up because of the vibration. All in all, I felt like Wily Coyote next to a box of ACME explosives. But at the same time, the carrier was pulling away and it was never a fun deal to run point ahead of a carrier. It?s called run fast, be nervous and keep watching over your shoulder. Carriers have incredible speed but one would think that the escort ships need to throttle back for the carrier. Nope, it?s the other way around. About the only thing we could do that a carrier couldn?t was change course quickly. That was a good thing because it was always a great idea to stay out of their way. Oh, a Baltimore class was 600 ft. long, had three triple 8in. 55 cal gun turrets and a crew of about 350 and, with the grace of God and along handled spoon, a maybe battle flak speed of 32 knots, maybe. But next to a carrier we looked like a kid?s toy and were embarrassed when we had all boilers in, max screw turns and they just pulled away and waved by-by. I hated it when that happened. Aarrgg!!!

Scamp