[BITList] Fw: Three New Navy Ships

Wed Mar 11 10:02:32 GMT 2009

I am forwarding this, not because of the political content, which didn't raise a smile, but because of the comparison with the USS Arizona, once a mighty battleship. Also the sheer political folly of war and the ginormous cost.

Dave

            The USS REAGAN 

            Seeing it next to the Arizona Memorial really puts its size into perspective.... ENORMOUS! 

            BEAUTIFUL! 

             When the Bridge pipes 'Man the Rail' there is a lot of rail to man on this monster: shoulder to shoulder, around 4.5 acres.  Her displacement is about 100,000 tons with full complement.    

             Capability 

             Top speed exceeds 30 knots, powered by two nuclear reactors that can operate for more than 20 years without refuelling 

             1. Expected to operate in the fleet for about 50 years 

             2. Carries over 80 combat aircraft   

             3. Three arresting cables can stop a 28 - ton aircraft going 150 miles per hour in less than 400 feet 

             Size 

            1. Towers 20 stories above the waterline   
            2. 1092 feet long; nearly as long as the Empire State Building is tall 
            3.  Flight deck covers 4.5 acres 
            4.  4 bronze propellers, each 21 feet across, weighing 66,200  pounds 
            5.  2 rudders, each 29 by 22 feet and weighing 50 tons 
            6.  4 high speed aircraft elevators, each over 4,000 sq ft capacity 
            7. Home to about 6,000 Navy personnel   
            8. Carries enough food and supplies to operate for 90 days 
            9.  18,150 meals served daily 
            10.  Distillation plants provide 400,000 gallons of fresh water from sea water daily, enough for 2,000 homes 
            11.  Nearly 30,000 light fixtures and 1,325 miles of cable and wiring 1,400 telephones 
            12. 14,000 pillowcases and 28,000 sheets 
            13. Costs the Navy approximately $250,000 per day for pier side operation   
            14. Costs the Navy approximately $25 million per day for underway operations (Sailor's salaries included). 

            The HMAS Gough Whitlam

            Sunday, July 20, 2008 Sydney .  Headed for Newcastle ,  the Australian welcomed the latest member of its fleet today. The HMAS Gough Whitlam set sail today from its home port of Sydney .    

            The ship is the first of its kind in the Navy and is a standing legacy to Prime Minister Whitlam for his foresight in military budget cuts and his conduct while Prime Minister. 

            The ship is constructed nearly entirely from recycled aluminium and is completely solar powered with a top speed of 5 knots.   It boasts an arsenal comprised of one (unarmed) F14 Tomcat or one (unarmed) F18 Hornet aircraft which, although they cannot be launched or captured on the 100 foot flight deck, form a very menacing presence. 

             As a standing order there are no firearms allowed on board. 

             The 20 person crew is completely diversified, including members of all races, creeds, sex, and sexual orientation. 

            This crew, like the crew aboard the Manly Ferry, is specially trained to avoid conflicts and 
            appease any and all enemies of Australia at all costs!    

            An on - board Type One DNC Universal Translator can send out messages of apology in any language to anyone who may find Australia offensive.  The number of apologies are limitless and though some may seem hollow and disingenuous, the Navy advises all apologies will sound very sincere.    

            The ship's purpose is not defined so much as a unit of national defense, but instead in times of conflict, the HMAS Gough Whitlam has orders to seek refuge in New Zealand . 
            The ship may be positioned near the Labor Party Headquarters for photo - ops. 
            The Whitlams  Should be very proud. 

            And the newest:  -      

            The HMAS Kevin Rudd, sailing in from South East Asia, once a week.

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