[ridenrain]

$1:

HMCS Vancouver sends decommissioned US Destroyer to watery grave
By SLt Aaron Butler

“Take surface hostile track number 3 000 with Bulldog!” With this final order, Commander Kurt Salchert, commanding officer of HMCS Vancouver, began the weapon engagements that sent ex-USS O’Brien, a Spruance-class destroyer, to her final resting place off the Pacific Missile Range Facility near Kauai, Hawaii.

HMCS Vancouver conducted two successful missile launches with two American P3C Orion patrol aircraft, similar to the CF Auroras. The Harpoon surface-to-surface missile can hit surface targets up to 60 nautical miles away at Mach 0.9—almost the speed of sound. Vancouver can carry eight missiles in two quad launchers.

“The missile firings demonstrated a new level of sophistication in the Navy’s tactical procedures …Vancouver and the P3 executed a co-ordinated attack from over the horizon to achieve a simultaneous impact on the target from multiple directions,” said Cdr Salchert.

After firing the missiles, Vancouver used 50-calibre heavy machine-gun fire at close range to close the burning hulk and assess the damage. The destructive power of modern weaponry completely destroyed and set ablaze the ex-USS O’Brien’s hull.

It did not take long for the magnificent ship to roll on her side and gracefully succumb to her wounds. Many members of Vancouver’s ship’s company were on deck to pay their final respects, as ex-USS O’Brien descended to her watery grave minutes before a glorious Hawaiian sunset. Crew paused in silence to reflect on the death of a fine ship, and ponder their own role in delivering the deadly consequences of modern weaponry.

SLt Butler is the UIO for HMCS Vancouver.

You didn't want that, did you?
Nice to see the 2 friends working together again. Some sarcastic wag from another forum suggested that they sunk the wrong ship.
Vancouver
O'Brien

[Tman1]

Why did they use the 50 cal instead of the Mk2 gun?

[Wullu]

Tman1 Tman1:

Why did they use the 50 cal instead of the Mk2 gun?

Not sure what Mk2 you are talking about Tman? The 50 cals' real designation is the M2 if that is what you mean.

Now off to surf around and see if any video of this is out and about yet.

[Arctic_Menace]

Wullu Wullu:

Tman1 Tman1:

Why did they use the 50 cal instead of the Mk2 gun?

Not sure what Mk2 you are talking about Tman? The 50 cals' real designation is the M2 if that is what you mean.

Now off to surf around and see if any video of this is out and about yet.

That would be cool......I wanna see a ship blow up.....

[Wullu]

Lemme see if I can find the link to the sinkex done a few years ago with Mk 48 heavy weight torp...most spectacular thing I ever saw.

This is the best i could find atm...pics of the sinking. Remember that the torp never actually hits the ship, it detonates about 30 feet below the keel.

Pics

[Arctic_Menace]

Wullu Wullu:

Lemme see if I can find the link to the sinkex done a few years ago with Mk 48 heavy weight torp...most spectacular thing I ever saw.

You have piqued my curiosity.

[Wullu]

In the 4th pic you can see the bridge top about 30 ft to port of the rest of the ship. I know I can get the video at work. Will see about it on Monday.

Cheers

[Arctic_Menace]

Holy Shit!!! Those pics are intense!!!!

[Wullu]

Arctic_Menace Arctic_Menace:

Holy Shit!!! Those pics are intense!!!!

.....and exactly why we never practice getting hit by a torp....as commander Sea Training once said to a young Subbie that asked why we don't "why do you want to practice being dead?"

[Tman1]

Wullu Wullu:

Tman1 Tman1:

Why did they use the 50 cal instead of the Mk2 gun?

Not sure what Mk2 you are talking about Tman? The 50 cals' real designation is the M2 if that is what you mean.

Now off to surf around and see if any video of this is out and about yet.

One of these but the 57mm one that's listed as the armament of the Vancouver.

[Arctic_Menace]

Wullu Wullu:

Arctic_Menace Arctic_Menace:

Holy Shit!!! Those pics are intense!!!!

.....and exactly why we never practice getting hit by a torp....as commander Sea Training once said to a young Subbie that asked why we don't "why do you want to practice being dead?"

[Wullu]

The 57mm is primarly an anti-air weapon not anti-surface. There is an anti-surface round for the 57 but the Vancouver may not have been carrying any as surface fire support is pretty much a lost art in this day and age. If you can see the other side's ships in a fight then you have screwed up royally.

[Tman1]

I see thanks. I thought those main guns were for ship to ship battles. My apologies for my ignorance.

[Arctic_Menace]

Wullu Wullu:

The 57mm is primarly an anti-air weapon not anti-surface. There is an anti-surface round for the 57 but the Vancouver may not have been carrying any as surface fire support is pretty much a lost art in this day and age. If you can see the other side's ships in a fight then you have screwed up royally.

Guess these guys srewed up royally then.

[Wullu]

Tman1 Tman1:

I see thanks. I thought those main guns were for ship to ship battles. My apologies for my ignorance.

LOL no worrys, I was in the navy for about 6 months before I found out we did not to assault support anymore with the main mount. A mount firing 120mm plus would be useful in that role.