We did a surface transit of the North Sea in weather so bad the Brits sent all ships out of port. No keel on submarines. Surface operation requires helmsman and officer in the sail. They were safety chained in with kapok life vests. Wave shoved whole ship underwater. Water was rushing down the sail into control and sonar. They were floating at the end of safety chain underwater like bobbers. Couldn't see when not trying to die anyway. Closed hatches and rolled on with radar only.
2 days of that crap. The only time I have ever been seasick in my life. Most of the crew was completely unable to function, no food cooked, I think I stood watch for 18 hours straight, slept for 4 and another 18, it may of been 24. I wasn't as bad as most, just puked my guts out once.
My Dad sailed oil tankers in Alaska in seas like that. This was back in the day when the tankers were maybe a third the size they are today. He has a picture of one of his tankers taken from a helicopter where it looks like the ship is pitching at what looks like 30 degrees. It makes you wonder how a guy could even keep on his feet.
Reminds me of 1973 on LPH 7 in the Med. Waves breaking over the flight deck drenching the ready Huey spotted on the bow. I was visiting the bridge and noticed the inclinometer showing a 29º roll. I asked the helmsman what were the design limits and he said 27º.
My brother served on a DE back in the late 60's. They were ordered to the Med for routine patrol. Along the way, the Captain took the ship through the edges of a hurricane. My brother said that the hull spent more time underwater than above for about four hours.
Been there, done that. Med Transit in 1970 on CVA 42. The poor Destroyer spent most of the time half in and half out under water. Then in the mid 2010's on the new Queen Mary on transit from UK to US. Year they had several hurricanes up the US coast. A fun ride.
Saw that twice during my Navy time. Once in the western pacific in a tender that got between two typhoons, we hit 30 degrees of roll. Port & starboard cranes would have broken away at 33 degrees so it was a high picker factor for awhile. Second time was on an oiler headed to South America, we were taking the waves on the bow & hit a trough so deep the bow went into free fall & the anchor & chain went airborne. Rang the entire hull like a gong when we hit bottom & broke the sea sparrow launcher. Good times.
Catching the ferry between Wellington and Picton across Cook Straight in New Zealand in a southerly gale will see monster swells marching towards you at an angle that makes for an unpleasant combination of rolling and pitching.
South China Sea, early ‘67 on the Iwo (LPH1): stormy weather as we steamed circles waiting to go ashore. Just gassing or playing cards on the hangar deck the ship rolled from one side to the other. One view was light blue sky while the opposite view was dark blue ocean. At some point I went forward to the fo'c'sle to get a haircut. Others had the same idea so I joined the line. After a few minutes I was introduced to “pitch & yaw”. Ship would go aft to fore – up & slam down while near simultaneously rolling from one side to side. It didn’t take long for me to figure out I was gonna be seasick. No further notion for a haircut, I made it back to our birthing area and hugged my mattress for all it was worth. It passed with further effect. Next day weather cleared and we made our landing.
This is the best comment string I've seen in my life: #7 I always wanted to be on a ship in really rough weather. Not sure how you sign up for that ride.
Returning from South China Sea after 8 months on USS Enterprise in 1968 we had to put additional 4 chains on each plane on the flight deck - they already had 8 each. But waves were breaking over the bow of the aircraft carrier, which was about 60'+ above the surface of the water. It was a big storm. Me and another plane captain had 2 chains each. One of us would be tieing down one side while the other guy watched the waves washing down the flight deck. When the water rushed over the deck we would scream "here comes one" and we would both jump up in the wheel wells and hold on for dear life. It was pretty exciting for a 20 year old and one of the more interesting things that happened while I was in the Navy.
Saw many a ground guide in a LZ get blasted off their feet and rolled from rotor wash as they brought in Black Hawks. Most of the time it was the pilots doing it on purpose, just a little bit harder flair. And there is now way in hell you will get me to guide in a Shit-hook no friggin way.
39 year Blackhawk pilot here. Nobody does that on purpose. Mostly the ground guide is just a reference point on the ground. We are listening to the Crew Chief for clearance and direction.
That being said, I did once blow over a shitter with a very pissed off Major inside. Also not on purpose. Don't set up your shitters near the approach path...
My pops who is now 98 wet through the typhoon with Halsey on a fletcher class destroyer, they had recently refueled. thinks it's the only thing that save there lives. About all he will say it was scary . Woof
#7 I always wanted to be on a ship in really rough weather. Not sure how you sign up for that ride.
ReplyDeleteNavy.
DeleteWe did a surface transit of the North Sea in weather so bad the Brits sent all ships out of port. No keel on submarines. Surface operation requires helmsman and officer in the sail. They were safety chained in with kapok life vests. Wave shoved whole ship underwater. Water was rushing down the sail into control and sonar. They were floating at the end of safety chain underwater like bobbers. Couldn't see when not trying to die anyway. Closed hatches and rolled on with radar only.
Delete2 days of that crap. The only time I have ever been seasick in my life. Most of the crew was completely unable to function, no food cooked, I think I stood watch for 18 hours straight, slept for 4 and another 18, it may of been 24. I wasn't as bad as most, just puked my guts out once.
Steve in Ky
My Dad sailed oil tankers in Alaska in seas like that. This was back in the day when the tankers were maybe a third the size they are today. He has a picture of one of his tankers taken from a helicopter where it looks like the ship is pitching at what looks like 30 degrees. It makes you wonder how a guy could even keep on his feet.
DeleteReminds me of 1973 on LPH 7 in the Med. Waves breaking over the flight deck drenching the ready Huey spotted on the bow. I was visiting the bridge and noticed the inclinometer showing a 29º roll. I asked the helmsman what were the design limits and he said 27º.
DeleteMy brother served on a DE back in the late 60's. They were ordered to the Med for routine patrol. Along the way, the Captain took the ship through the edges of a hurricane. My brother said that the hull spent more time underwater than above for about four hours.
DeleteNemo
Been there, done that. Med Transit in 1970 on CVA 42. The poor Destroyer spent most of the time half in and half out under water.
DeleteThen in the mid 2010's on the new Queen Mary on transit from UK to US. Year they had several hurricanes up the US coast. A fun ride.
Thanksgiving, 1960, onboard USNS Rose on my way to Germany.
DeleteSaw that twice during my Navy time. Once in the western pacific in a tender that got between two typhoons, we hit 30 degrees of roll. Port & starboard cranes would have broken away at 33 degrees so it was a high picker factor for awhile.
DeleteSecond time was on an oiler headed to South America, we were taking the waves on the bow & hit a trough so deep the bow went into free fall & the anchor & chain went airborne. Rang the entire hull like a gong when we hit bottom & broke the sea sparrow launcher. Good times.
Catching the ferry between Wellington and Picton across Cook Straight in New Zealand in a southerly gale will see monster swells marching towards you at an angle that makes for an unpleasant combination of rolling and pitching.
DeleteSouth China Sea, early ‘67 on the Iwo (LPH1): stormy weather as we steamed circles waiting to go ashore. Just gassing or playing cards on the hangar deck the ship rolled from one side to the other. One view was light blue sky while the opposite view was dark blue ocean. At some point I went forward to the fo'c'sle to get a haircut. Others had the same idea so I joined the line. After a few minutes I was introduced to “pitch & yaw”. Ship would go aft to fore – up & slam down while near simultaneously rolling from one side to side. It didn’t take long for me to figure out I was gonna be seasick. No further notion for a haircut, I made it back to our birthing area and hugged my mattress for all it was worth. It passed with further effect. Next day weather cleared and we made our landing.
DeleteThis is the best comment string I've seen in my life:
Delete#7 I always wanted to be on a ship in really rough weather. Not sure how you sign
up for that ride.
Reply
AnonymousNovember 20, 2021 at 6:34 AM
Navy.
Also, Bob with
No you don't....
Returning from South China Sea after 8 months on USS Enterprise in 1968 we had to put additional 4 chains on each plane on the flight deck - they already had 8 each. But waves were breaking over the bow of the aircraft carrier, which was about 60'+ above the surface of the water. It was a big storm. Me and another plane captain had 2 chains each. One of us would be tieing down one side while the other guy watched the waves washing down the flight deck. When the water rushed over the deck we would scream "here comes one" and we would both jump up in the wheel wells and hold on for dear life. It was pretty exciting for a 20 year old and one of the more interesting things that happened while I was in the Navy.
Delete3:18 pm You had a birthing area? huh. Midwife?
DeleteNo you don't....
ReplyDelete#2: Obviously a young Democrat learning the facts of life.
ReplyDelete#5: A true Patriot. Way to go, FedEx!
#2 is a future NFL star.
Delete#5: Respect.
ReplyDeleteWhat Bob said.....
ReplyDeleteSaw many a ground guide in a LZ get blasted off their feet and rolled from rotor wash as they brought in Black Hawks. Most of the time it was the pilots doing it on purpose, just a little bit harder flair. And there is now way in hell you will get me to guide in a Shit-hook no friggin way.
ReplyDeleteSaber 7
A CH-53 is even worse
Delete39 year Blackhawk pilot here. Nobody does that on purpose. Mostly the ground guide is just a reference point on the ground. We are listening to the Crew Chief for clearance and direction.
DeleteThat being said, I did once blow over a shitter with a very pissed off Major inside. Also not on purpose. Don't set up your shitters near the approach path...
Hawkpilot
#4. Fox is a conservative. He scoots forward for maximum benefit. Liberal foxes scoot backwards and smear shit all over themselves.
ReplyDelete4 - nature has worms
ReplyDelete#7 fellas, it's too rough to feed you......
ReplyDelete2 is funny as hell. Good quick adults supervising. Good on them.
ReplyDeleteMy pops who is now 98 wet through the typhoon with Halsey on a fletcher class destroyer, they had recently refueled. thinks it's the only thing that save there lives. About all he will say it was scary . Woof
ReplyDelete#4..."Ahhhhh....shit. They're watching me."
ReplyDelete