A question that's been buggin' me!

Tankbuster

Member since
December 2002
From: Singapore

A question that's been buggin' me!

Posted by Tankbuster on Monday, September 29, 2003 11:55 AM

Howdy y'all,

Can anyone remember the name and the type of ship that was struck some years ago by and Iraqi missile? I believe the ship was a cruiser or destroyer deployed in the Med region. The ship was struck on the port side somewhere forward or near the bridge. This was back when Iraq was considered one of the good guys. From what I can remember, the ship involved never put up any kind of defense. Damage was considerable but the ship was saved, I think!

Also, can anyone provide a good definition about the "beam" when referring to ships? Is this the measurement form the deck to the waterline, or does it refer to height from the deck to the top of the bridge? Just courious!

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 29, 2003 12:10 PM

I'm not sure about the ship struck by the Iraqi missile, but the "beam" of a ship refers to the width of the Hull at its maximum width. "Abeam" refers to an object beside rather than in front of or behind the ship. The measurement from the waterline to the deck (I assume you refer to the weather deck or the deck that is the top of the hull) is called the "freeboard." The overall height of the ship from the waterline is called the "mast height" even if the ship has no masts per se. There is no term for the height of the bridge other than the height of the bridge. This measurement is not used when a ship's dimensions are recorded. I hope this helps.
Paul

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Tankbuster

Member since
December 2002
From: Singapore

Posted by Tankbuster on Monday, September 29, 2003 12:34 PM

Thanks Paul for your response. I guess I missed that one by a mile.

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David Voss

Member since
December 2002
From: Waukesha, WI

Posted by David Voss on Monday, September 29, 2003 1:01 PM

The USS Stark (FFG 31) was hit by two Exocet cruise missiles in 1987.

http://usresolve.org/uss-stark-ffg31.php
http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Stark
http://navysite.de/ffg/FFG31.HTM

QUOTE: They also offer limited capacity for growth. Despite this, the FFG 7 class is a robust platform, capable of withstanding considerable damage. This "toughness" was aptly demonstrated when USS Samuel B. Roberts struck a mine and USS Stark was hit by two Exocet cruise missiles. In both cases the ships survived, were repaired and returned to the fleet. USS Stark was decommissioned in May 1999.
http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/factfile/ships/ship-ffg.html

QUOTE: The role of Frigates will be in escorting aircraft carriers along with protecting amphibious forces. Two Oliver Hazard Perry Class vessels, the Stark and the Samuel B. Roberts were damaged in the Persian Gulf during Kuwaiti tanker reflagging operations in 1987. The Samuel B. Roberts was struck by a mine and the Stark was hit by an Iraqi-fired Exocet missile which killed 37.
http://www.leyden.com/gulfwar/frigate.html

Information about the USS Samuel B. Roberts
http://www.dcfp.navy.mil/mc/museum/ROBERTS/Roberts6.htm

David Voss Senior Web Developer Kalmbach Publishing Co. Join me on the FSM Map

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therriman

Member since
January 2003
From: Central MI

Posted by therriman on Monday, September 29, 2003 1:02 PM

The ship in question was the USS Stark (FFG-31). She was a Oliver Hazzard Perry class guided missle frigate. She was struck by and French Exocet missle fired from an Iraqi fighter by "mistake". She was saved and served untill decommisioned on May 7,1999.

Tim H. "If your alone and you meet a Zero, run like hell. Your outnumbered" Capt Joe Foss, Guadalcanal 1942 Real Trucks have 18 wheels. Anything less is just a Toy! I am in shape. Hey, Round is a shape! Reality is a concept not yet proven.

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therriman

Member since
January 2003
From: Central MI

Posted by therriman on Monday, September 29, 2003 1:06 PM

Dave we answered at the same time.

Tim H. "If your alone and you meet a Zero, run like hell. Your outnumbered" Capt Joe Foss, Guadalcanal 1942 Real Trucks have 18 wheels. Anything less is just a Toy! I am in shape. Hey, Round is a shape! Reality is a concept not yet proven.

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David Voss

Member since
December 2002
From: Waukesha, WI

Posted by David Voss on Monday, September 29, 2003 1:20 PM

QUOTE: Originally posted by therriman

Dave we answered at the same time.

As soon as I saw the question, I knew I should have known the answer.

I owned the Avalon Hill game "Sixth Fleet". I used to spend a lot of time looking at the map spread open and all the different pieces spread about. I used to wonder what to do about the USS Stark.

David Voss Senior Web Developer Kalmbach Publishing Co. Join me on the FSM Map

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therriman

Member since
January 2003
From: Central MI

Posted by therriman on Monday, September 29, 2003 1:23 PM

I knew the answer too (I was active duty in the Navy then). I had to check navsource to get the hull # and decomm date.

Tim H. "If your alone and you meet a Zero, run like hell. Your outnumbered" Capt Joe Foss, Guadalcanal 1942 Real Trucks have 18 wheels. Anything less is just a Toy! I am in shape. Hey, Round is a shape! Reality is a concept not yet proven.

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David Voss

Member since
December 2002
From: Waukesha, WI

Posted by David Voss on Monday, September 29, 2003 2:34 PM

I was starting high school that year.

I was always loved Navy ships when I was younger. However, when I joined the military, I went Army. Go figure! I have no regrets though. Smile [:)]

David Voss Senior Web Developer Kalmbach Publishing Co. Join me on the FSM Map

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 29, 2003 9:38 PM

Don't feel bad dvoss, I went Army as well after wanting Air Force all through childhood, now I build mostly naval subject models. Go figure.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 30, 2003 8:53 PM

heres a bit of history trivia concerning the USS Samual B RobertsFFG 58
what is the common thread between the Samual B Roberts, USS Carr FFG 52, and USS Copeland FFG 25? aside from the fact that they are all Perry class frigates, there is another common thread between the three ships. The original Samual B Roberts was a DE lost in the battle of Leyte gulf. LCDR Copeland was the Sammy B's commanding officer, Paul Henry Carr [gunners mate 3rd class] tried to keep his gun firing depite the gun being nearly disabled and horrible injuries to himself. recommend the book "Little Wolf at Leyte" to read more about the actions of the " Sammy B" and her crew at the battle of Leyte gulf.

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