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#36
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Mike Burleson
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Sep 04, 2007 03:09 PDT
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Greetings and welcome to your fall edition of the Navy Review
newsletter! Presenting some of the greatest sea stories I could find,
plus the latest NAVY NEWS from the all the world's fleets. Ready
yourselves for our special Cruiser issue and even more SEA LINKS, plus
regular features including SEA FIGHTS ON A SHOE STRING and STRANGE SEA
TALES. Enjoy!
FIRST SALVO
The Brief Battle History of the Heavy Cruiser
The roots of the modern heavy cruiser go back only a century, to the
protected and armored cruisers of the ironclad age. With a wild mixture
of armament, these warships by the early 20th Century began blurring the
line between cruisers and the first dreadnoughts then entering service.
Technically, the heavy cruiser was designed after the First World War,
under the auspices of the 1922 Washington Naval Treaty, with a vague
reference that declared “No vessel of war exceeding 10,000 tons (10,160
metric tons) standard displacement, other than a capital ship or
aircraft carrier, shall be acquired by, or constructed by, for, or
within the jurisdiction of, any of the Contracting Powers.” and “No
vessel of war of any of the Contracting Powers, hereafter laid down,
other than a capital ship, shall carry a gun with a caliber in excess of
8 inches (203 millimeters).”
A decade later the 1930 London Naval Treaty further divided the cruiser
into 2 types as “(a) Cruisers carrying a gun above 6.1 inch (155 mm)
caliber;” and “(b) Cruisers carrying a gun not above 6.1 inch (155 mm)
caliber”. The 1936 Treaty further reduced maximum tonnage down to 8000
because of British insistence. American heavy cruisers still kept the
old “CA” or armored cruiser designation. The latter tried to pack the
most armament and protection within the 10,000-ton limit. The British,
who desired sizable numbers for its far-flung empire, generally built
lighter ships. Future Axis navies: including Germany, Japan, and Italy
seldom hesitated to circumvent the Treaty limits when they could get
away with it, which was often. The importance given to these vessels can
be understood with the following list of heavy cruisers in service at
the start of hostilities in Sept. 1939:
America-18
Britain-15
France-7
Germany-2
Italy-7
Japan-18
The US built the last and finest heavy cruisers during the war.
Post-Treaty vessels such as the 17 BALTIMORE class were huge and well
protected, with a sizable AA armament, but only the standard main
battery of 8x9 inch cannon. The culmination of the design came with the
three DES MOINES class of 17,000 tons displacement. They possessed a
powerful battery of auto-loading 8-inch guns, but sadly, even this
revolutionary warship was outclassed by the new carrier warfare at sea.
Though many of these large and powerful vessels remained in service for
decades more, they were mostly relegated to carrier escort after
conversion to launch the new missiles at sea. Others, like the DES
MOINES, and her sisters NEWPORT NEWS, and SALEM, were used mainly for
shore bombardment from Korea to Vietnam.
NAUTICAL NOTES:
*The last all-gun cruiser commissioned by the US Navy was the SALEM of
1947.
*During its brief career as a commerce raider, it is said the
Confederate cruiser ALABAMA never took a single life.
*********
NAVY NEWS
SOUTH KOREA LAUNCHES ADVANCED SUBMARINE-The second in a class of three
is the 1800-ton JEONGJI, named after an historic Korean Sailor. Built in
partnership with German firm HDW, she is 63.5 meters long, 6.3 meters
wide and carries a crew of 40. The sub is equipped with Air Independent
Propulsion, and includes an armament of torpedoes, mines, plus
anti-warship guided missiles. The SK Navy is also planning a larger
class of 9x3000 ton boats by 2021.
VENEZUELA SEEKS SUBS FROM RUSSIA-The country’s dictator Hugo Chavez
plans to announce by year’s end to replace the country’s German built
Type 209 diesel subs. One prospect is the Russian AMUR class, but other
bids have come from Germany, France, Spain, South Korea, and China. The
former Soviet Union already has some $4 billion in contrasts with the
increasingly rogue South American leader. Plans are for a total of nine
submarines, and 100 other naval craft that are apart of the oil-rich
nation’s purchase plan.
CANADA PLANS 8 ARCTIC PATROLS SHIPS-In an effort to beef up its claims
within the vast Arctic Circle, Canada will construct eight
ice-strengthened frigates. Their steel reinforced bows will allow them
to operate in ice one meter thick. A new arctic port will also be
established to aid the new ships’ mission of protecting the country’s
Northern sovereignty. A total of $3.1 billion will be allocated for
their construction, with delivery of the first vessel in 2013.
RUSSIA PLANS 6 NUCLEAR CARRIERS-As part of its plan for a restored Blue
Water Navy, Russia wants six carrier battle groups within the next 20
years, according to the Russian Fleet’s Commander-in-Chief Admiral
Vladimir Masorin. Original schemes for such a naval capability were put
on hold after the fall of the Soviet Union in the early 1990’s. It is
interesting such a grandiose vision would arise when the country
possesses 1/10 the strength of its former empire, with its warship
number falling from 428 to 273 during the same period. The nuclear
powered "aviation capable ships" are expected to weigh at 50,000 tons
each, and carry 30 fighters and helicopters.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has been literally flexing his muscles
of late, launching Bear aircraft in mock bombing runs against NATO and
Japanese countries, and expanding surface and submarine activities
around the world, giving some the impression of a renewed Cold War.
Recently, an expedition was carried out by a Navy mini-sub to plant the
Russian flag on the bottom of the arctic, raising tensions in the
already volatile region, claimed by America, Canada, Denmark, and
Norway.
MAIDEN VOYAGE FOR ROYAL NAVY’S ADVANCED DESTROYER-HMS DARING is Britain
latest technological wonder at sea. The first of a planned class of six
Type 45 destroyers, headed toward the east coast of Scotland on her
maiden voyage on July 18. Built primarily for anti-air warfare, she and
her sisters are equipped with the PAAMS Air Defense System, with
48xAster 15, and Aster 30 missiles, plus a 4.5-inch gun, launchers for
Stingray torpedoes, and a Merlin ASW helicopter. Crew complement is 190
with room for extra if needed, on a 152.4-foot hull displacing 7350
tons.
US/TAIWAN AGREE ON SUB DEAL-American government officials have finally
confirmed the go-ahead on the long-standing submarine procurement plan,
promised by President Bush early in his administration. According to a
Taiwanese newspaper, US firms will collaborate with European companies
that still build diesel/electric boats, a type that America has not
constructed for half a century. Up to eight conventional subs will be
procured.
JAPAN LAUNCHES AIRCRAFT CARRIER-Officially, a “helicopter destroyer” the
Japanese warship HYUGA is in appearance and function similar to Western
light aircraft carriers, with a through-deck design, but no ski jump for
V/STOL aircraft. The 13,500-ton vessel was launched last month and has
the capacity for 11 large heloes, including the massive American CH-53E.
Other armament includes a 16-cell ESSM launcher with 64-missile
capacity, and a Phalanx CIWS. Crew complement is 350. HYUGA is the first
of a planned class of two warships.
Japan hasn’t built carriers since the 1940’s, though a 10,000 ton vessel
was studied in the 1960’s, with American encouragement. These designs
came to naught, with the Maritime Self Defense Force continuing to
construct large ASW destroyers instead. The name comes from a
battleship/carrier hybrid converted after the Battle of Midway, when the
Japanese were desperate for new aviation ships.
*********
FAMOUS HEAVY CRUISERS IN HISTORY
ITALIAN ZARA CLASS-These large, well-built vessels exceeded the
Washington Treaty limits by 15%, bringing them in at 11,500 tons. They
were considered the best armored cruisers in the world at that time.
Three of the four ships were sunk by the British at the Battle of Cape
Matapan, including FIUME and POLA.
BRITISH HMS EXETER-From a class of 2 Improved COUNTY‘s, she was the
British flagship at the Battle of River Plate, and the last heavy
cruisers built by the Royal Navy. Along with two light cruisers ACHILLES
and AJAX, she withstood the German pocket battleship ADMIRAL GRAFF SPEE
on December 13, 1939. During the battle, EXETER had all her guns put out
of action, but managed to steam back to port under her own power.
FRENCH ALGERIE-Considered by many to be the finest heavy cruiser built
during the Treaty period. She was fast, well protected, and possessed
twice the range of previous French cruisers. Along with many fine
warships, she was scuttled at Toulon in November 1942, to keep her out
of the hands of the Germans.
PRINZ EUGEN-Sailed with the battleship BISMARCK on her fatal voyage of
May 1941. Later she participated with the battle cruisers SCHARNHORST
and GNEISENAU in the Channel Dash of February 1942. She survived the war
and was sunk as a target at the Bikini Atoll nuclear tests. Like her
sister ship ADMIRAL HIPPER, PRINZ EUGEN exceeded the Treaty limits by
some 50%, at 15,000 tons!
JAPANESE MOGAMI CLASS-This class of 4 ships began life as light cruisers
with an astounding battery of 15x6.1 inch guns! Before the war this
unsatisfactory arrangement was replaced with 10x8 inch cannon. Not
surprisingly, the three ships came in at 3,400 tons over the Treaty
limits. The entire class participated in the Battle of Midway in June
1942, with the MIKUMA sunk and the MOGAMI heavily damaged.
AMERICAN AUGUSTA-Apart of the six NORTHAMPTON class, each of which came
in at 1000 under the Treaty limits. She hosted President Roosevelt and
Winston Churchill during the signing of the Atlantic Charter at
Argentia, Newfoundland in August 1941. She was later flagship of the
Admiral commanding Operation Torch, also hosting the invasion commander
George S. Patton, November 1942. In June 1944, she ferried Lt. General
Omar Bradley leading the American forces in the D-Day landings, as well
as participating in shore bombardment duties.
NAVY BIOGRAPHY
Jean Laffite
The controversial pirate/patriot Laffite was born in France sometime
around 1780. He first came to prominence in 1810 as leader, along with
his brother Pierre, of a band of outlaws on the island of Grande Terre
in the Gulf of Mexico. Tiring of Lafitte’s piratical acts, the governor
of Louisiana offered a $500 bounty for the Buccaneer’s capture. In
brazen defiance, the pirate placed a $1500 reward for the governor’s
head!
During the War of 1812, the British tempted Laffite with a pardon, a
naval captaincy, plus $30,000 to assist them in the capture of New
Orleans. Again displaying his freebooting mentality, the pirate refused
and offered his services to the US military commander of the city,
General Andrew Jackson. The sailors’ expertise with cannon was a crucial
factor in repelling the British invasion. For his services at the Battle
of New Orleans on January 8, 1815, President James Madison pardoned
Laffite.
With his previous headquarters destroyed by American naval forces, he
moved to Galveston Island and established a pirate town called
Campeachy. In 1821, the Navy schooner USS ENTERPRISE arrived to destroy
the village, but as usual, Laffite outmaneuvered his enemies. First he
talked himself out of a fight, burned the town, then sailed away never
to be heard from again. It is generally agreed by historians the famed
buccaneer died in exile in Yucatan in 1826.
NAUTICAL NOTES:
*The supposed location of the mythical island of Atlantis was marked on
shipping charts as late as the 19th Century.
*During the Age of Sail, the crewmen who remained on board ship while
the rest went ashore were called the “baboon watch”.
*********
SEA FIGHTS ON A SHOESTRING
Battle of Naupactus
In 429 BC, the tragic Greek struggle known as the Peloponnesian War
entered its 3rd year. Sparta and her allies dominated the war on land,
while Athens and her confederates controlled the sea. Yet, the Athenian
Navy couldn’t be everywhere, as proved when a large Spartan Fleet under
Cnemus slipped through the Gulf of Corinth and landed a huge army on the
Western Greek Peninsula. The need to reinforce this mighty host led to
the focus of our Sea Fight.
Corinth came to the aid of Cnemus with 47 war galleys bearing
reinforcements. The three Corinthian Admirals saw little to fear from
Athens, whose naval commander in the region, Phormio, possessed only 20
galleys. As the Corinthians approached, Phormio sortied out from his
base at Naupactus. Waiting until the enemy had reached the open sea and
escape was difficult, the Athenians launched their brazen attack.
Astonished at the Athenians audacity of striking such a superior force,
the Corinthians panicked and ordered their fleet into a defensive
circle. This maneuver played into the Athenian’s strategy to attack at
leisure as a wolf against a sheep herd. Near days end the circle began
to crumble. Phormio now launched his main attack, succeeding in
destroying 12 Corinthian galleys without loss to himself.
Sparta vowed revenge for their ally Corinth against the despised
Athenians. Another massive armada totaling 77 warships was dispatched
led by three Spartan Admirals. Seeing this overwhelming force coming
against him, Phormio pleaded to Athens for help. Twenty additional war
galleys were dispatched under the command of Nicias, which incidentally
failed to arrive for the impending showdown at sea.
The initial clash off Naupactus went bad for Phormio, who lost nine
ships, and was forced to flee. Then, the tide turned when a Spartan
Admiral, called Timocrates, lost his vessel while chasing an Athenian
straggler. Once again, an enemy fleet subsided into panic, with Phormio
taking advantage of the confusion to fight back. Six enemy ships were
sunk, and nine more were captured, restoring the Athenians to their
original strength. Soon afterwards, Nicias and his 20 galleys arrived,
and it was the enemy’s turn to run away, thus allowing Phormio a
comfortable advantage over any other Spartan incursion.
NAUTICAL NOTES:
*Unable to sail their prizes into a safe port due to the Union blockade,
Confederate raiders were forced to burn their catches, after removing
anything of value, of course.
*Possibly the last hostile act of a British Ship of the line was when
HMS CONQUEROR participated in forcing the Straits of Shimonoseki, Japan
in 1864.
*********
STRANGE SEA TALES
America’s First Missile Cruiser
The United States Navy’s first warship that could fire aerial
projectiles as its main armament was the USS VESUVIUS. Labeled a
“dynamite cruiser”, the unique vessel sported an unusual main battery
consisting of 3x54 foot smoothbore tubes, eerily resembling the Tomahawk
and Harpoon launchers of the Missile Age. The tubes were required to
fire 9-foot projectiles with a 500lb warhead propelled to its
destination by compressed air.
The need for such a ship arose in the late 19th Century because of the
notorious inaccuracy of naval guns of this era. Requirements for an
“aerial torpedo” was passed on to the Pneumatic Dynamite Gun Company for
the purpose of “one dynamite cruiser… guaranteed to attain a speed of
twenty knots an hour, and to be equipped with three pneumatic dynamite
guns of ten and one half inch caliber and guaranteed to throw shells
containing two hundred pounds of dynamite or other high explosive at
least one mile…”
The keel for VESUVIUS was laid on 28 April 1888, construction
undertaking by William Camp & Sons Ship and Engine Co. of Philadelphia.
The nimble craft was 252 feet, 4 inches long with an unusually narrow
beam of 26 feet, 5 inches, plus a shallow draft of 9 feet for inshore
operations. Her armament included 30 dynamite projectiles, fired by
compress air stored in cast iron reservoirs located along the keel.
Sea trials revealed the dynamite guns were inferior to traditional
ships’ cannon, though of greater range and accuracy than the torpedoes
of the era. In addition, problems with the unusual design made VESUVIUS
hard to handle, yet she was the fastest ship in the world for her size.
In the end, she was a marvelous freak, useless as a warship but an
excellent public relations tool for the Navy’s plan to upgrade the
Fleet. She had a brief, unspectacular career in the Spanish/American
War, and the First World War, until finally discarded on February 15,
1919.
Check out SEA LINKS for Photos of the VESUVIUS and her launch tubes.
NAUTICAL NOTES:
*Athene was the patron Goddess of shipbuilders and supposedly built the
first ship. Legend has it that she guided Jason and the Argonauts on
their mythical voyages.
*The Stories of the Argonauts may be grounded in fact. The practice of
the inhabitants of Colchise was to capture gold from flowing streams
using sheepskins, thus the Golden Fleece.
*********
SEA LINKS
Full Text of the 1922 Washington Naval Treaty
http://www.ibiblio.org/pha/pre-war/1922/nav_lim.html
USS VESUVIUS Photos
http://www.hazegray.org/features/vesuvius/
Video: World’s Largest Container Ship
http://youtube.com/watch?v=2oRlthTwEEM
The Royal Navy in the 20th Century
http://www.seayourhistory.org.uk/component/option,com_rnm_homepage/Itemid,81/
The Old Steam Navy
http://www.boat-links.com/Old-Navy/index.html
The Falklands War 26th Anniversary
http://www.guardian.co.uk/falklands25years
*********
That’s it for this issue of NAVY REVIEW. Until we meet again, God Bless,
and Pray for our Brave and Brilliant Troops who are in harm’s way.
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