Sinking a destroyer...

[GoneToTheCanner]

Hi all
On Nat. Geographic or Discovery last night was a programme about the Canadian Navy sinking the decommissioned HMCS Huron, which had been stripped of all pollutants and was to be expended in a Sinkex.They lined up a fleet of their own warships, a USN submarine and a brace of CF-18s to do the deed. First up was a pair of Sea Sparrows from a Frigate, then a series of bursts from several 57mms, then 30mm from a CWIS Gatling, then 76mm and finally 20mm from the CF-18s, as the ship began to settle by the stern, too soon for the submarine.Ironically, the 76mm was originally Huron's own gun, refitted onto another ship,a fact that did not go down well with many of the watching sailors, who were ex-Huron shipmates.The ship took quite a beating from the smaller calibres until the 76mm rounds holed her for good.
very interesting and will, for sure, be repeated on the channels concerned.
regards
GttC

[hptmurphy]

The RN has adopted the pracise of removing all identifiaction from target hulls to deal with the emotions of silors having to watch a former'home' being destroyer.

The SINKEX thingys are usual of an undisclosed nature and loaction until after the event not withstanding NOTAMs etc.

The Australians sunk a retired frigate a few years back but was deemed to be a stage managed event because of the nature in which the ship came a part.

[Goldie fish]

Have watched that show a few times since sunday night. Interesting to see the Sea Sparrow being used as an Anti Ship missile.

[Nav Trooper]

There was another one by the US i think.

I believe it was a carrier being sunk as an artificial reef with explosives and completely rigged with cameras.

Impressive to see the way the hangers flooded.

Quite good.

[Duffer]

watched this on tv, one question the 76mm was taken from the ship which was sunk and the newer ship had 57mm gun. Does this mean that 57mm is better than 76mm? Eithne has 57mm and the newer ships (P50's) have 76mm. why did we do the opposite to the canadians?? or did i take the whole thing up wrong??

[GoneToTheCanner]

Hi there
It didn't show the 57mm up in a good light in that it jammed and didn't appear to have a fatal effect on the target.Perhaps it's too small to be useful.
regards
GttC

[golden rivet]

Hi there
It didn't show the 57mm up in a good light in that it jammed and didn't appear to have a fatal effect on the target.Perhaps it's too small to be useful.
regards
GttC

it seemed to be an un manned 57mm and as we found out on eithne the first round on the loading tray must be pulled back by hand tool to be rammed home otherwise you will get a jam.. I should come back as an adviser to the canadians.. also the cost of the 76mm.. we are poor..
s

[Fireplace]

Sink a destroyer? Just put a bomb under it.

http://it.youtube.com/watch?v=GGIzi9LQ1hU

Or fire an exocet.

http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=GAYKXo...eature=related

Or the old fashioned way.

http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=cwWzFS...eature=related

[Nav Trooper]

With the 57 it looked like they were using Pre Frag on the ship judging by the multiple splashes, whereas with the 76 they were using HE and as there were no combustables onboard the damage was minimal on both weapons.

Most damage to the crew is caused by combustables and secondary explosions inside the vessel and by shrapnel, pressure waves and of course smoke inside cos as we all know, "Bare metal just dont burn that good."

[Victor]

watched this on tv, one question the 76mm was taken from the ship which was sunk and the newer ship had 57mm gun. Does this mean that 57mm is better than 76mm? Eithne has 57mm and the newer ships (P50's) have 76mm. why did we do the opposite to the canadians?? or did i take the whole thing up wrong??

57mm put out more rounds per minute. I think the claim is more HE per minute than any other gun under 100mm.

[Jetjock]

This is turning into a "For all you Navalsexuals" thread!

[moggy]

This is turning into a "For all you Navalsexuals" thread!

folks there is a serious proposal to sink a us warship in killala bay (mayo) in 12 months time - the intention is to blow her up from the bottom - should be interesting to see

[hptmurphy]

Have to say the Swedes make some great test firing films.....

the rapid fire practise could become my new ring tone...

I love the armoured 'skip' concept.....we just use panhard M3s...wonder which one was more bullet proof?

[GoneToTheCanner]

Hi Murph,
you got there before me! Great gun if the enemy attack in skips,eh? did you notice how rough and ready the range is? No carefully-built butts or hardstands, just a gravel trap that was probably just dropped in place by a Vovo BM.
regards
GttC