Two ships deemed ‘unfit’ for combat

[unhappycamper]

Scathing InSurv reports
Failure for cruiser Chosin, above, destroyer Stout


Two ships deemed ‘unfit’ for combat
By Christopher P. Cavas - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Apr 21, 2008 13:31:35 EDT

Most of the missiles couldn’t be fired, and neither could any of the big guns. The Aegis radars key to the ships’ fighting abilities didn’t work right.

The flight decks were inoperable.

Most of the lifesaving gear failed inspection.

Corrosion was rampant, and lube oil leaked all over.

The verdict: “unfit for sustained combat operations.”


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/04/navy_insurv_042008w/

[Eagle_Eye]

1. Sounds like one of two things

1. Those ships were "Hanger Queens" for the other ships in the group. Since they were in casualty reporting mode, why not just take a few more critical parts to keep other ships operational.

2. The crews have motivational problems. Motivational problems that could be brought on by five years of working a war time schedule while getting no visible results.

Even though the article did not mention it, it would be interesting to see the reenlistment rates of the crews on those ships.

[Submariner]

2. Crap from Litton/Ingalls at the Pascagoula, Miss shipyard

It is well known sailors prefer to go to sea on Bath, ME shipyard constructed ships. Litton/Ingalls is in business because the likes of Trent Lott keep them going.

No problem. There are no warranties, so the taxpayer will pick up the tab.

[PetrusMonsFormicarum]

3. Maybe some Third World

nation is interested--these scows may not meet our no doubt rigorous standards, but surely both ships are like Darth Vader's Star Destroyers to those who can barely pull together their own navies.

Years ago my father's command (a destroyer named Damato) was sold to the Pakistani Navy, and all of us kids got to board the ship for the change of command. Only thing was, the Pakistanis had already had the ship for 6 months (it was now called the Tippu Sultan). It still looked like the Damato, although the Pakistani crew seemed to be a little bit looser in their uniform requirements (turbans and Adidas, maybe khaki pants), and a goat was tied to the foredeck's Harpoon missile launcher!