Posted: 7/6/2013 8:15:34 PM EDT
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I am watching The Final Countdown again for the first time in years. I remember when I first saw it andit was the most awesome movie- ifi am not mistaken it was the first flick to show modern jets and carrier operations (bridges at Toko-Ri) was close but that was Korea.
Before the days of Discovery Channel's "Wings" and before Top Gun it was as close as a 13 year old kid could get to being there. So now I am wondering - with the Big "E" headed forthe scrap yard instead of museum duty what are the chances of a Nimitz class ship becoming a museum? And if so which one will it be? I will buy a membership 20 years from now for the first right answer! J |
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I am watching The Final Countdown again for the first time in years. I remember when I first saw it andit was the most awesome movie- ifi am not mistaken it was the first flick to show modern jets and carrier operations (bridges at Toko-Ri) was close but that was Korea. Before the days of Discovery Channel's "Wings" and before Top Gun it was as close as a 13 year old kid could get to being there. So now I am wondering - with the Big "E" headed forthe scrap yard instead of museum duty what are the chances of a Nimitz class ship becoming a museum? And if so which one will it be? I will buy a membership 20 years from now for the first right answer! J There will be no nuclear carrier converted into a museum. |
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So now I am wondering - with the Big "E" headed forthe scrap yard instead of museum duty what are the chances of a Nimitz class ship becoming a museum? And if so which one will it be? Slim to none because of the reactors. I can't even imagine the EPA/DOE/Greenpeace/PETA/Hippie headaches involved in such an endeavor. |
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So now I am wondering - with the Big "E" headed forthe scrap yard instead of museum duty what are the chances of a Nimitz class ship becoming a museum? And if so which one will it be? Slim to none because of the reactors. I can't even imagine the EPA headaches involved in such an endeavor. (1) Cut the ship apart. (2) Remove reactors (3) Reassemble the ship. It's that 3rd step that no association that could hope to maintain a ship like that as a museum could afford. |
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I am watching The Final Countdown again for the first time in years. I remember when I first saw it andit was the most awesome movie- ifi am not mistaken it was the first flick to show modern jets and carrier operations (bridges at Toko-Ri) was close but that was Korea. Before the days of Discovery Channel's "Wings" and before Top Gun it was as close as a 13 year old kid could get to being there. So now I am wondering - with the Big "E" headed forthe scrap yard instead of museum duty what are the chances of a Nimitz class ship becoming a museum? And if so which one will it be? I will buy a membership 20 years from now for the first right answer! J Highly doubtful we'll ever see a Nuke carrier as a Museum unless the US completely falls apart. It's just too much work to tear into a ship to get the reactors out. So your only real chance is that the country can't afford to scrap the carrier. Not a good 'chance'. What you -might- get is a 'fake' museum built out of a real ship. Someone buys the scrap, and puts it back together on land. |
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So now I am wondering - with the Big "E" headed forthe scrap yard instead of museum duty what are the chances of a Nimitz class ship becoming a museum? And if so which one will it be? Slim to none because of the reactors. I can't even imagine the EPA/DOE/Greenpeace/PETA/Hippie headaches involved in such an endeavor. Bullshit Nautilus still has its reactor and was converted to a museum , They do not allow visitors to tour those parts of the boat it would be equally easy to have made Enterprise a Museum. |
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It's that 3rd step that no association that could hope to maintain a ship like that as a museum could afford. Even ignoring the reactor issues, look at the USS Lexington. She badly needs funding/repair and isn't getting it, and the Essex class is way smaller than the Nimitz. Also, article from military.com: Nimitz class won't be museums ETA: Fixed name and class. Go home, Novaman. You're drunk. |
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California is full up with a battleship (USS Iowa in Los Angeles) and a carrier (USS Midway in San Diego) and some subs up in San Francisco.
The Midway was purchased by a private group and that took a metric butt ton of money and work. They've been working on it nearly continuously since 2002 or so when they bought it. It's a beautiful sight to see and there's a first class (and growing) collection of aircraft spanning the carrier's whole life. The rub with the Big E is going to be the radioactivity that may remain behind following the removal of all the reactors. |
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So now I am wondering - with the Big "E" headed forthe scrap yard instead of museum duty what are the chances of a Nimitz class ship becoming a museum? And if so which one will it be? Slim to none because of the reactors. I can't even imagine the EPA headaches involved in such an endeavor. (1) Cut the ship apart. (2) Remove reactors (3) Reassemble the ship. It's that 3rd step that no association that could hope to maintain a ship like that as a museum could afford. Not as easy as 1-2-3; it's cheaper to scrap her after the reactor removal than to put her back together... Newport News Shipbuilding will deactivate and de-fuel the ship, which will then be formally decommissioned once all nuclear fuel has been removed. The process is scheduled to begin in mid-2013 and be completed in 2015. Once the Navy dismantles and recycles the ship's reactors, there will be very little left to turn into a museum; virtually everything two decks below the hangar bay would have to be cut apart. What remains of Enterprise following 2015 is currently scheduled to be taken to Washington state for scrapping.
It remains possible the ship's island could be removed and used as a memorial. As of June 2013, the ship has had all antennas, radars (including the main-mast on top of the island), weapons launchers, anchors, and other miscellaneous items removed from her exterior. Additionally the inside of the ship has been removed of much gear that can be reused on other ships, and all fluids systems drained. She has been towed to Newport News Shipyard for continued dismantling. |
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You guys realize that 95% of these navy ship museums dont make money right?? The battleships and a few of the carriers seem to be the exception however. You seem to be confusing the preservation of history with a commercial enterprise. The primary purpose is not to make money ... |
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You guys realize that 95% of these navy ship museums dont make money right?? The battleships and a few of the carriers seem to be the exception however. You seem to be confusing the preservation of history with a commercial enterprise. The primary purpose is not to make money ... They have to make some money to cover the cost of upkeep. Keeping a ship in salt water up is not a cheap matter. I have towed a few of these museum ships to the scrapyard before, they were in awful shape. |
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California is full up with a battleship (USS Iowa in Los Angeles) and a carrier (USS Midway in San Diego) and some subs up in San Francisco. The Midway was purchased by a private group and that took a metric butt ton of money and work. They've been working on it nearly continuously since 2002 or so when they bought it. It's a beautiful sight to see and there's a first class (and growing) collection of aircraft spanning the carrier's whole life. https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR7l-26e_z6ifICU20fSL79vH_wC2eN8IBhF5rRtLLYyyv35hB-ZA The rub with the Big E is going to be the radioactivity that may remain behind following the removal of all the reactors. CA does have a nice collection of ships. USS Dolphin & Hornet too. IIRC there are also 2 Soviet subs still on display in San Diego and LA? Especially with the Jeremiah O'Brien still taking people on cruises for Fleet Week or trips up the Sacramento deep water canal. |
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You guys realize that 95% of these navy ship museums dont make money right?? The battleships and a few of the carriers seem to be the exception however. You seem to be confusing the preservation of history with a commercial enterprise. The primary purpose is not to make money ... They have to make some money to cover the cost of upkeep. Keeping a ship in salt water up is not a cheap matter. I have towed a few of these museum ships to the scrapyard before, they were in awful shape. Exactly, and that's why the ones that ultimately survive will be Dry-Berthed, like they're trying to do to the Texas now. Ultimately, you have to get them out of the water. |
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California is full up with a battleship (USS Iowa in Los Angeles) and a carrier (USS Midway in San Diego) and some subs up in San Francisco. The Midway was purchased by a private group and that took a metric butt ton of money and work. They've been working on it nearly continuously since 2002 or so when they bought it. It's a beautiful sight to see and there's a first class (and growing) collection of aircraft spanning the carrier's whole life. https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR7l-26e_z6ifICU20fSL79vH_wC2eN8IBhF5rRtLLYyyv35hB-ZA The rub with the Big E is going to be the radioactivity that may remain behind following the removal of all the reactors. CA does have a nice collection of ships. USS Dolphin & Hornet too. IIRC there are also 2 Soviet subs still on display in San Diego and LA? Especially with the Jeremiah O'Brien still taking people on cruises for Fleet Week or trips up the Sacramento deep water canal. It is very cool to walk into her engine room when it's still warm. 
I would love to be aboard her when she's actually moving, watching that triple-expansion steam engine go. |
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California is full up with a battleship (USS Iowa in Los Angeles) and a carrier (USS Midway in San Diego) and some subs up in San Francisco. The Midway was purchased by a private group and that took a metric butt ton of money and work. They've been working on it nearly continuously since 2002 or so when they bought it. It's a beautiful sight to see and there's a first class (and growing) collection of aircraft spanning the carrier's whole life. https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR7l-26e_z6ifICU20fSL79vH_wC2eN8IBhF5rRtLLYyyv35hB-ZA The rub with the Big E is going to be the radioactivity that may remain behind following the removal of all the reactors. CA does have a nice collection of ships. USS Dolphin & Hornet too. IIRC there are also 2 Soviet subs still on display in San Diego and LA? Especially with the Jeremiah O'Brien still taking people on cruises for Fleet Week or trips up the Sacramento deep water canal. It is very cool to walk into her engine room when it's still warm.
I would love to be aboard her when she's actually moving, watching that triple-reduction steam engine go. Only $120 a ticket for a ride around the bay during Fleet Week. |
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California is full up with a battleship (USS Iowa in Los Angeles) and a carrier (USS Midway in San Diego) and some subs up in San Francisco. The Midway was purchased by a private group and that took a metric butt ton of money and work. They've been working on it nearly continuously since 2002 or so when they bought it. It's a beautiful sight to see and there's a first class (and growing) collection of aircraft spanning the carrier's whole life. https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR7l-26e_z6ifICU20fSL79vH_wC2eN8IBhF5rRtLLYyyv35hB-ZA The rub with the Big E is going to be the radioactivity that may remain behind following the removal of all the reactors. CA does have a nice collection of ships. USS Dolphin & Hornet too. IIRC there are also 2 Soviet subs still on display in San Diego and LA? Especially with the Jeremiah O'Brien still taking people on cruises for Fleet Week or trips up the Sacramento deep water canal. It is very cool to walk into her engine room when it's still warm.
I would love to be aboard her when she's actually moving, watching that triple-expansion steam engine go. Only $120 a ticket for a ride around the bay during Fleet Week. Yeah, but I've gotta be there to do it, and I avoid Cali whenever possible. 
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California is full up with a battleship (USS Iowa in Los Angeles) and a carrier (USS Midway in San Diego) and some subs up in San Francisco. The Midway was purchased by a private group and that took a metric butt ton of money and work. They've been working on it nearly continuously since 2002 or so when they bought it. It's a beautiful sight to see and there's a first class (and growing) collection of aircraft spanning the carrier's whole life. https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR7l-26e_z6ifICU20fSL79vH_wC2eN8IBhF5rRtLLYyyv35hB-ZA The rub with the Big E is going to be the radioactivity that may remain behind following the removal of all the reactors. Don't forget the U.S.S. Hornet (Carrier) up in Alameda. |
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You will not ever see a "super carrier" museum. Nuke or conventional. Just curious, why? I remember touring some nuclear powered civilian vessel in Charleston (i think) when I was a kid. Reactor was in place and sealed. It's not about the reactor. Although, it is a contributor. |
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There is a certain amount of sadness that comes with the dismantling of a once great warship. I was stationed on the USS Constellation CV-64 as an airman in the V-1 Div in the late 80's and heard she got the torch a few years ago.
From the old comes new, much of the high grade steel will be melted down and used to create new naval vessels I assume. |
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California is full up with a battleship (USS Iowa in Los Angeles) and a carrier (USS Midway in San Diego) and some subs up in San Francisco. The Midway was purchased by a private group and that took a metric butt ton of money and work. They've been working on it nearly continuously since 2002 or so when they bought it. It's a beautiful sight to see and there's a first class (and growing) collection of aircraft spanning the carrier's whole life. https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR7l-26e_z6ifICU20fSL79vH_wC2eN8IBhF5rRtLLYyyv35hB-ZA The rub with the Big E is going to be the radioactivity that may remain behind following the removal of all the reactors. CA does have a nice collection of ships. USS Dolphin & Hornet too. IIRC there are also 2 Soviet subs still on display in San Diego and LA? Especially with the Jeremiah O'Brien still taking people on cruises for Fleet Week or trips up the Sacramento deep water canal. No soviet sub in San Diego at least. It may have passed through very briefly |
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No idea about a Nimitz Class museum, OP but here are some "Final Countdown" photos: http://<a href=http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd119/jimf0rce/Final%20Countdown/KeyWest012.jpg</a>" /> http://<a href=http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd119/jimf0rce/Final%20Countdown/KeyWest016.jpg</a>" /> <a href="http://s221.photobucket.com/user/jimf0rce/media/Final%20Countdown/KeyWest002.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd119/jimf0rce/Final%20Countdown/KeyWest002.jpg</a> the '14's & '15's were (IMO) the baddest ass planes fielded by the USG (hat tip to the SR71) A Nimitz Museum would be great, until Rachel J boarded and tipped it. 
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I think a super carrier museum would be profitable. Just think of all the Chinese "tourists" taking pictures. I agree with you on why we shouldn't(though I imagine they've taken a good amount of Pictures of the Midway), but technically JFK is 'available for donation as a museum and memorial'... http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/CV67.htm 
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California is full up with a battleship (USS Iowa in Los Angeles) and a carrier (USS Midway in San Diego) and some subs up in San Francisco. The Midway was purchased by a private group and that took a metric butt ton of money and work. They've been working on it nearly continuously since 2002 or so when they bought it. It's a beautiful sight to see and there's a first class (and growing) collection of aircraft spanning the carrier's whole life. https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR7l-26e_z6ifICU20fSL79vH_wC2eN8IBhF5rRtLLYyyv35hB-ZA The rub with the Big E is going to be the radioactivity that may remain behind following the removal of all the reactors. CA does have a nice collection of ships. USS Dolphin & Hornet too. IIRC there are also 2 Soviet subs still on display in San Diego and LA? Especially with the Jeremiah O'Brien still taking people on cruises for Fleet Week or trips up the Sacramento deep water canal. No soviet sub in San Diego at least. It may have passed through very briefly You just missed it. There's a Foxtrot at the San Diego Maritime Museum. http://www.sdmaritime.org/b-39-submarine/ |
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Why not just keep the reactors going in port and hook the ship up to the city's power grid to pay for the museum? It would cost more to maintain the reactors and reactor support systems than it would recoup. You would have to refuel them sometime and that is a major undertaking and expensive. Then you have the pumps, valves, plumbing etc. to maintain. Even if it could be done at a break even point you have the NIMBY crowd to deal with. |
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Why not just keep the reactors going in port and hook the ship up to the city's power grid to pay for the museum? It would cost more to maintain the reactors and reactor support systems than it would recoup. You would have to refuel them sometime and that is a major undertaking and expensive. Then you have the pumps, valves, plumbing etc. to maintain. Even if it could be done at a break even point you have the NIMBY crowd to deal with. Good point on the NIMBY statement. |
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So now I am wondering - with the Big "E" headed forthe scrap yard instead of museum duty what are the chances of a Nimitz class ship becoming a museum? And if so which one will it be? Slim to none because of the reactors. I can't even imagine the EPA/DOE/Greenpeace/PETA/Hippie headaches involved in such an endeavor. Bullshit Nautilus still has its reactor and was converted to a museum , They do not allow visitors to tour those parts of the boat it would be equally easy to have made Enterprise a Museum. Economy of scale has got to come into play Any navel vessel has got to be a maintenance nightmare as it gets older. Not thinking of running all the systems but just to keep it lighted and ventilated and keep the salt from rotting it to the point it won't float I have got to believe even something like Battleship Massachusets had got a limited lifetime. those folks seem to have a great site and generate some crowds but the basic costs have got to be staggering. A Nuc would be way worse |