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Posted: 8/11/2006 1:39:19 PM EST
Another of our mighty warriors, has come to rest...
   On July 13, 2006, The USS Belleau Wood (LHA-3) stubbornly fought her last battle. She was decommissioned on October 28, 2005 and was towed out of Pearl Harbor, HI on July 10, 2006, to become a target ship. Even after taking several hits from Harpoon anti-ship missiles as well as gunfire from the USS Mobile Bay (CG-53), She steadfastly REFUSED TO SINK ! She only finally relented when scuttle charges aboard her, were set off. Rest in peace, faithful lady ! Here she is, being towed out by the USNS Navajo (T-ATF 169) to perform her final duty, on July 10, 2006:    On July 13, as she refuses to yield, despite receiving numerous wounds:   And finally, as she slowly slips beneath the waves, forever...    A sad day indeed, but still, a fitting finale, for a fine United States warship ! She fought till the end !  |
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Posted: 8/11/2006 1:44:16 PM EST
[#1]
Man, either I am getting really old, or the Navy is just wasting good ships...
I remember being a kid and this class was the newest thing....I have a nice 8x10 I received in the early 90's in college, when my hobby was to write to ships requesting pics and little stuff, like Welcome Aboard Pamphlets..... That was cool, I got a stack of ship photos 3" thick, almost every PAO I wrote to sent me back stuff...almost always a nice 8x10, pamphlets, sometimes a zapper or patch...a lot of ships pictures that are long gone... Anyway, its sad to see 'em sent down like this.... |
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Posted: 8/11/2006 1:47:04 PM EST
[#2]
The harpoon hits were on the deck?
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Posted: 8/11/2006 1:49:26 PM EST
[#3]
Won't be making any reefs in the deep Pacific. Why didn't they sink her somewhere else, like they did with the Oriskany? Then the remains could serve a purpose.
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Posted: 8/11/2006 1:56:35 PM EST
[#4]
Agreed, At least I will be able to dive the Oriskany someday, never this one however 
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Posted: 8/11/2006 2:07:05 PM EST
[#5]
Probably because folks get a little nervous if you are shooting Harpoons a firing 5"ers that close to the beach. |
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Posted: 8/11/2006 2:14:42 PM EST
[#6]
Maybe the Navy guys could say, but was that ship too old to be of any use? Mothballs? Upgrade? Something???
Why not sell it for scrap or to one of our third world allies? Am I the only one thinking this is a total waste in more than one way??? |
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Posted: 8/11/2006 2:21:45 PM EST
[#7]
My thoughts exactly! But I'm sure the artificial reef it creates gets the libs all excited. 
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Posted: 8/11/2006 2:26:30 PM EST
[#8]
Is it supposed to honorable or something to send them to the bottom of the ocean? I've always thought it was silly to sink so many ships.
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Posted: 8/11/2006 7:08:21 PM EST
[#9]
I also think it is a waste, but then again it's only our tax dollars slipping beneath the waves. With the sky-high cost of metal these days you would think they could get quite a few bucks scrapping it instead. Same thing with the pics of the old M60 tanks being tossed off a barge into the ocean. 50 tons or more of steel for each being tank wasted. I know some see it as a fitting and honorable end to a navy vessel but how much money could be recycled into the system to keep current military needs funded if it were sold for scrap. |
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Posted: 8/11/2006 7:17:37 PM EST
[#10]
By sinking it there is no way in hell that it will be refurbished (in the future) and take the place of a BRAND NEW SHIP FOR WHICH THE MONEY HAS BEEN BUDGETED.
Gotta keep the economy rolling..... 
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Posted: 8/11/2006 7:20:38 PM EST
[#11]
I heard that it was in very poor material shape. Wasn't cost effective to maintain it.
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Posted: 8/11/2006 7:26:03 PM EST
[#12]
If you want to apply logic then the Navy isn't your organization.
But the goofy Navy logic on sinking these ships is directly related to the very high cost of demilling the ship to a point where it could be sold for scrap. Its not like we could ship them off to the breaking yards of India. So you have to pay high dollar government contracts just to get a few cents on the dollar out of scrap metal. Some of the smaller and older ships can be sold off to foreign country's, but with something the size of an LHA, your likely consumer can build their own ships. JD |
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Posted: 8/11/2006 7:27:26 PM EST
[#13]
Sadly...that is probably the right answer... Typical waste of resources by our government. |
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Posted: 8/11/2006 7:38:24 PM EST
[#14]
FLoating prison for the military detainees. |
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Posted: 8/11/2006 7:41:32 PM EST
[#15]
SHe was an LHA, #3 to be exact.
A few facts: Keel laid: March 5, 1973 Launched: April 11, 1977 Commissioned: September 23, 1978 SO she served almost 30 years. The LHD's are MUCH nicer...trust me... |
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Posted: 8/11/2006 7:41:56 PM EST
[#16]
Aren't there any "Navy approved" scrap yards here in the United States? I'd be inclined to sell the gutted ship back to the foundry and let them recycle the steel.
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Posted: 8/11/2006 7:45:00 PM EST
[#17]
Wow,
That took me by surprise. Did a cruise on her in 1994 to Guam for the 50th Anniversary of the invasion there. Below refers to the Chinese Navy. The PLA Navy is considering to build new 15,000 to 20,000t LHD class amphibious ships that uses new hovercraft tank and troop conveyers and large transport helicopters, allowing assaults from greater distance and against more difficult shore terrain. Shown in the photo is a model of the possible LHD design by China National Shipbuilding Co. The ship features large stern helicopter flight deck, and dock to accommodate four large air cushion landing crafts. The ship is also equipped with strong air defence (HQ-7 SAM) and anti-surface weapons (100mm gun) for landing operations near enemy coast. Once commissioned the ship will significantly improve the PLA Navy’s sealift and power projection capabilities. No better way to figure out what it takes to sink a large amphibious assault ship then to do a live fire test. |
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Posted: 8/11/2006 7:45:04 PM EST
[#18]
Many moons ago, and I mean moons ago I was honored to me the skipper who was in fact a LDO and in command of the Belleau Wood.. I tried to follow in his foot steps and even though I did not make 06 or command a ship, but retired as a 04 (Not bad for a high school kick out) I will never forget him, his ship and his salty outlook on life. I would bet he has passed on a long time ago, but then again, maybe not.
The ship was wore out. Rode hard and put away wet to many times. |
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Posted: 8/11/2006 8:16:56 PM EST
[#19]
Belleau Wood
"Retreat? Hell, we just got here" |
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Posted: 8/11/2006 9:05:51 PM EST
[#20]
USS Belleau Wood (LHA-3)
She was a good ship...I'm proud to have served upon her and sad to say goodbye  Many a brave Marine and Sailor served aboard her...Took my first ride in an Amtrack off her ramp. Thank God I was an Air-Assault Grunt 
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Posted: 8/11/2006 9:30:31 PM EST
[#21]
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Posted: 8/12/2006 4:57:48 PM EST
[#22]
After the fiasco of the Coral Sea scrapping? I doubt they want to go that route again.
That particular class comes from the days of overplanning and then rapacious systems downgrading to get to a livable build cost. They were OK ships, they were not great ships. They didn't have real NTDS, they couldn't be a flagship for a battle group including AAW ships. At least in the beginning they really couldn't get a link up. They have taken a pretty hefty beating over the years and are too big for most countries to even consider manning and maintaining. Those that could do it, we aren't going to let them have it. (PRC). Sink-exes are not a bad idea, we don't have too many sailors around that have sunk a ship in anger. I'm thinking NONE, Sinking a ship is not just fill it with holes , those holes have to be where they let the water in, so as it gets a little deeper more holes let more water in, and so on. |
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Posted: 8/12/2006 5:14:09 PM EST
[#23]
When were you with the 31st? Me '94. |
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Posted: 8/12/2006 5:23:45 PM EST
[#24]
I would prefer to keep old military equipment at least in mothballs for a bit before we off and scrap/sink/otherwise demil them.
I hope they learned something of value in this excersize. Seeing how many rounds it took before they had to scuttle it with charges makes me feel better about how damage resistant our ships are, but it also causes me to loose someconfidence in the sinking power of our anti-ship weapons. Did anyone else get this feeling? -K |
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Posted: 8/12/2006 5:46:50 PM EST
[#25]
I didn't even know that they were decomissioning Tarawa class ships yet. Thought that would have waited until the replacement class started being built. But yeah, sinking is much better than scrapping. There's pics here of the scrapping of USS Coral Sea. Very sad pictures... www.usscoralsea.net/pages/picsexcv43.html |
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Posted: 8/12/2006 5:55:31 PM EST
[#26]
I'd just take a guess and say that asbestos may have played a part in it not being cost effective to scrap. For thermal insulation and fireproofing there just isn't much better. Shame about that whole cancer thing though. I wonder when (hell, if!) the navy stopped using the stuff. The cutoff is about 1980 or so for a lot of civvie applicaitons.
Sending ships with serious asbestos issues to the third world to be scrapped is becoming pretty unpopular, and that stuff is EXPENSIVE to have properly removed in the US. Cheapest option may have been dragging it out and sinking it. |
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Posted: 8/12/2006 6:00:14 PM EST
[#27]
Harpoon missiles exectute a "pop up" manuever right before impact. The approach skimming the waves and climb rapidly during the last few seconds to dive on the target. My understanding is this makes the missiles harder targets for close in weapons systems. |
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Posted: 8/12/2006 6:03:28 PM EST
[#28]
Wow. I dont know much about the Navy at all, and never let a semen go without a Navy crack, but that is very sad. A few pics later and I agree, sink em. |
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Posted: 8/12/2006 6:04:51 PM EST
[#29]
How come they don't scrap these things for metal?
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Posted: 8/12/2006 6:50:45 PM EST
[#30]
Small world. I was along side the the Belleau Wood back in 93 with MSSG 31 LS Det |
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Posted: 8/12/2006 7:03:02 PM EST
[#31]
My first thougth was "it could have been used/sold" then I thought to myself that several design questions could be answered, engineering estimates proven, etc.... many things could be validated. I hope they got really good data 
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Posted: 8/12/2006 7:30:56 PM EST
[#32]
why sink it? I want one as my own mobile personal country
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Posted: 8/12/2006 8:06:09 PM EST
[#33]
Blame the libtards, the eco-nazis and the safety nazis. Also Google up "shipbreaking yards". 
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Posted: 8/12/2006 8:16:38 PM EST
[#34]
funny, not more then 4hrs ago the Tarawa was mentioned in a conversation I was having. Grew up in Long beach, daughter of a Seabee, granddaughter of a naval officer. I participated in the recomissioning festivites of the New Jersey. and I find the ships pretty fascinating. I love the pictures but the scrapping of the Coral sea ones are pretty sad. |
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Posted: 8/12/2006 9:28:52 PM EST
[#35]
By the time those were getting built in the 70's there wasn't much asbestos being used.
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Posted: 8/12/2006 9:41:20 PM EST
[#36]
Sir, thank for your service. I can't believe they sank her. I spent many nights on watch with that big hunking ship in view. |
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Posted: 8/12/2006 9:45:09 PM EST
[#37]
No i did not get that feeling, with the many compartments it would take some time to sink. However, if a small boy got hit with multiple anti-ship cruise missiles they would be in a world of hurt. |
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Posted: 8/12/2006 9:58:51 PM EST
[#38]
The New Jersey is an amazing and absolutely beautiful ship. You were VERY lucky to have been there for one of our last big battlewagons. We REALLY should have kept even just one in service. Just for the "Dammmmmmmmnnnnnnn" factor  Nothing quite like seeing that big mutha anchored off your coast. !Do make sure you tell your grandchildren about her some day.... She, along with her sister ships definitely deserve to be remembered and reminisced about. |
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Posted: 8/12/2006 10:17:06 PM EST
[#39]
97 and 98 - went double pump. Tiny world, huh? |
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Posted: 8/12/2006 10:21:44 PM EST
[#40]
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Posted: 8/13/2006 4:28:49 AM EST
[#41]
THe replacements have been in the works for more than 20 years now. THe WASP class LHD's are the replacement ships, and they have 7 of them.. |
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Posted: 8/13/2006 5:03:31 AM EST
[#42]
That was my guess. The Oriskany was moored just a few hundred yards away from my office until she was sank a few months ago. They spent a ridiculous amount of money (and time) on her disposal due to environmental regulations, that I can see why the navy would want to just use them for target practice. Too big of a headache otherwise. |
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Posted: 8/13/2006 5:36:41 AM EST
[#43]
This was a test for the Straits of Hormuz....
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Posted: 8/13/2006 6:19:11 AM EST
[#44]
Damn I'm getting old,
I remember in the early 80's the LHA's were still relatively "new". I did my Med Cruises on the even older LPH's that had been around since before Nam. Like the Inchon, LPH 3............ RIP Wpns Man |
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Posted: 8/13/2006 7:35:18 AM EST
[#45]
Quoted:
SHe was an LHA, #3 to be exact. A few facts: Keel laid: March 5, 1973 Launched: April 11, 1977 Commissioned: September 23, 1978 SO she served almost 30 years. The LHD's are MUCH nicer...trust me...[/quote] Very, very true. |
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Posted: 8/13/2006 9:47:24 AM EST
[#46]
How many hits did it take? I gotta know...some euro yobs think a single ASM would rip a carrier to peices
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Posted: 8/13/2006 2:09:08 PM EST
[#47]
Building a reef sounds like the most ass-o-nine idea I have ever heard. The sheep don't want a warship museum in the harbor but sink a warship in the harbor, and there is a two year wait for reservations.
They sink these ships out in deep water, where and when they know enemy satellites and spy ships are not around. No need to help R&D in Moscow or Beijing. If I had to venture a guess. They probably installed some top secret automatic defense system, or fire/damage control system before they towed her out. If her sinking saved even one sailor on a future class. She died with valor. |
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Posted: 8/13/2006 2:26:18 PM EST
[#48]
Not the ones I was thinking of. It was my understanding that the Wasp class ships replaced the Iwo Jima class. This is what I was referring to... a whole new class of LHAs: www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/lhx.htm |
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Posted: 8/13/2006 2:32:44 PM EST
[#49]
I was attached to the Belleau Wood while doing a pump to Oki' in '98.
We went to Russia on her, while there I talked to a Scotish gentlemen who claimed to be a plank holder of this ship. Sad to see her go.
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Posted: 8/13/2006 3:16:50 PM EST
[#50]
Did a WestPac on the Belleau Wood in '84.
Back then you wanted to float on the LHAs, otherwise it was the LPHs you stayed aboard for 6 months. The LHAs were much nicer. I'm feeling old now... |
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