OT: Bonhomme Richard Fire

[Rising-Sun]

This vessel will be out of action for a long time, lucky if they dont scrap her. Curious was it set on fire on purpose, or even CCP involved in this???

[Anachro]

It remains unclear yet what the Navy will do with Bonhomme Richard, which officials said has “extensive” fire and water damage throughout 11 of the ship’s 14 decks after the fire originated in the ship’s lower vehicle stowage area. Navy officials have said the fire and water attack did not damage the ship’s four engine spaces nor its fuel tanks, although they indicated the ship had listed, to starboard and then to port, but had remained stable.

The biggest hit came to the ship’s island, or superstructure, which holds its critical warfighting spaces including bridge and combat systems. “The island is nearly gutted, as are some sections of the decks below,” Gilday wrote, adding, “sections of the flight deck are warped/bulging.” The fire, spread by wind and explosions through the ship’s open spaces and and fueled by many combustible materials, burned many of the spaces where the 1,000-member crew work and live.

[Alpha77]

ORIGINAL: fcooke

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

A British ship was hit by a missile in the South Atlantic and the fire could not be put out becausethe superstructure was aluminium.

I think that was the HMS Sheffield. IIRC the exocet didn't even explode but ruptured water lines that made fighting the aluminum fires difficult, with the leftover fuel from the missile causing the fires.

Oh well RN ships of the early 80ties were often enough not up to date with protection, lacked close in defense mainly against missiles. Plus the too lightly built issue. Just play Harpoon even vs. the AI you will have difficulties with most brits ships. Plus also better US ones like Spruance - air defense too weak. Without ships packing some serious SM2 missile pack (or perhaps Seadart for the RN) it may end badly for the Nato in this simulation [8|]

[fcooke]

She should be a goner. But if there's money to be made we may see a sweetheart repair contract. Just one dog's opinion.

[RangerJoe]

It depends upon the hull and engine machinery damage. That much heat for that length of time can weaken and warp the steel.

[fcooke]

Agreed. Sadly i think she needs to be scrapped.

[Moltrey]

I served with VS-21 on the Enterprise for two deployments. On workups (pre-cruise along w. coast for training) in 1985 we had a fire incident that exemplifies just how quickly a small ship fire can turn ugly. It was morning, no flight ops. Full ship contingent plus airwing were onboard. I happened to be topside walking the middle part of the flightdeck to get some air. At some point I turned around and saw white/grey smoke billowing off the fantail. Soon after general quarters sounded.

The fire started one deck below the mess deck, which is directly below the hangar deck level. Maintenance was being done inside a Marine billet/office space between the rear hangar bay and the fantail, just port of centerline. The sailors had a firewatch with extinguisher as required. The account is a bit muddled, but word was that while using a welding or cutting torch, sparks went into the air and lit on a trashcan, igniting paper materials. Somehow the fire watch hit the can with the extinguisher and it propelled the contents up into the air of the small enclosed space, ending up igniting further flammable items. It was not very long and the smoke overwhelmed the men (3 of them) and they retreated out of the space. The ensuing blaze took most of the morning and afternoon to put out. It got into the ventilation ductwork and made fighting the fire difficult as OBAs were necessary to breathe. One of our AIMD shop guys was on the Flying Squad (rapid first response) and I saw him after coming back to our spaces to swap out OBAs. He said it was hell trying to get at the fire due to the narrow passageways and enclosed spaces, made worse by the ducts that enabled it to spread unseen.

I distinctly remember post-fire; standing in line just for breakfast on the port passageway next to the aft mess hall, there was a large duct the length of the passageway overhead and the whole thing was scorched black from the fire inside burning up the exterior white paint. The smell was that acrid, electrical component gank that makes you want to gag. Thankfully no one was killed or injured other than a couple of smoke-inhalation cases.
All from a trashcan spark and fire. Serving on a ship it is always in the back of your mind- that and they train the hell out of you to be prepared. Looks like the BR had a number of cards stacked against her in this one.

[Yaab]

"C'mon baby light my fire"



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Stephen_Morrison