previous post next post  

Since there are a bemusing number of sailors that hang out here...

By The Armorer on October 13, 2011 | | Comments (20)
236 years ago, the Continental Congress authorized two ships, 80 men, and 10 guns in order to screw with the Brits. The Navy has been sucking the Treasury dry since. Happy Birthday, Squids!
san-francisco-fleet-week-10-2011.jpg
The Nimitz-class aircraft Carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) passes under the Golden Gate bridge during the San Francisco Fleet Week 2011 Parade of Ships. San Francisco Fleet Week is a five-day event which highlights the equipment, technology and operational capabilities of the military's sea services and their history in the San Francisco area. (U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Nicolas C. Lopez)

Share This Article:

Share |

Categories:

20 Comments

By Chris H. on October 13, 2011 3:19 PM
 Thanks for birthday wishes.

Perhaps we squids hang out here because the Navy, in its infinite wisdom, doesn't find the big guns as attractive as the latest transformational thingamabob. Forget about the 16"/50s, we don't have anything bigger than 5"/54...and those only come two tubes to a ship.  The Castle provides us some outlet for those of us who miss things that go bang at sea.

Cheers, 

Chris
 
By jim b on October 13, 2011 3:42 PM
"two ships, 80 men, and 10 guns"

And shortly thereafter ... "gundecking" was developed.
 
By Foxfier on October 13, 2011 4:42 PM
I'm sure I had something utterly clever to say, but Jim B's comment wins so much it destroyed mine. ^.^ 
 
By John (Not The Armorer) on October 13, 2011 5:02 PM
I see that the sun is over the yardarm (from which no pirates have been recenlty hung, alas) so it is time to splice the mainbrace!

A bit of American made rum will be enjoyed!

If anyone needs some 16" projectiles...
 
By Joe in N Calif on October 13, 2011 6:10 PM
Hmmm....seems we may need to add men and ships, and even some guns, to get up to that original commission again. 

Sadly, the US has no facilities with the capability of producing those Mk. 7 guns anymore.  And the government was selling some off as scrap:  http://www.govliquidation.com/auction/view?id=4229536&convertTo=USD

Sad state of affairs.

 
By Quartermaster on October 13, 2011 6:48 PM
 I think we could reacquire the abuility to produce teh big tubes again, and we need to do so.

Joe, I think those are the guns that the Armorer posted some time ago.

Birthday wishes accepted, but I think you guys from the big green machine are just jealous we made a better choice. We might die by drowning, but we get clean sheets and plenty of food in the bargain.*

Ironic that I knew C-rats as an AF brat, but never saw them again until the 80s in the TNARNG.

*Shamelessly borrowed from Robert Heinlein.
 
By Joe in N Calif on October 13, 2011 8:12 PM
Might could be, QM.  I first saw them on the Black Powder Mortar and Cannon Forum.  Much talk bandied about on what kinds of rediculous muzzle loading artillery could be made from chunks of them.
 
By Justthisguy on October 13, 2011 9:42 PM
I would be careful if I were you, Major.  Cap'n Lex is reputedly quite the dab hand with a saber.  I would be happy to act as your second, of course, should y'all feel the need to go out.
 
By Grimmy on October 13, 2011 9:53 PM
Happy Birthday, Navy!
 
By Justthisguy on October 13, 2011 9:55 PM
Man, that echo in the Great Hall is amazing! Please delete the two excessive comments. or shoot me, or something.
 
By Oldloadr on October 13, 2011 10:13 PM
Justthisguy, Trifecta!
 
By Joe in N Calif on October 13, 2011 11:11 PM
Wow!  Nice chainfire there.  Need to make sure your balls are well greased and your cap is tight on the nipple.

@QM - I doubt we could tool up to make those guns in under three years.  Heck, we might not be able to make the tools to make the tools to make the guns in three years.
 
By htom on October 13, 2011 11:12 PM
Happy birthday, Navy!
 
By John of Argghhh! on October 14, 2011 7:35 AM
JTG - I am The Armorer.  Lex comes after me with a saber, see, Ark, Lost, Raiders of, The.
 
By Ron Snyder on October 14, 2011 7:48 AM
Happy Birthday you Navy types!  ;)
 
By Old Fat Sailor on October 14, 2011 8:16 AM
Quartermaster, in the Brown Water Navy we didn't get clean sheets or hot meals (Too often except at the Hong Ta) but we still got to die by drowning. A belated happy birth day to all my fellow squids.
 
By JoeC on October 14, 2011 9:00 AM
Where else could us squids hang out with the guy that raises the future navy mascot?
 
By Gary on October 14, 2011 9:34 AM
Well, love the big guns but the idea of floating around with that powder magazine is a bit unsettling. Now if the could retrofit a BB with one or two of those new fangled rail guns you might be onto something.
 
By Quartermaster on October 14, 2011 6:41 PM
 @OFS, Brown Water Navy? What's that? Is that something the Army threw together as a field expedient?

@JNC, We already have the basic technology to prouce large tubes again. We'd have to scale up and produce some bigger tools, but we could do that inside of a year and have finished tubes in 2. We'd be hurting in a WW2 style conflict, but I think the next major war will be over pretty quick. We'll have to fight it with whatever we have on hand. I just hope we have enough. The way things are looking to shake out, we won't.

@Armorer, go easy on the Lex. He's just a Navy Pilot and there are things he doesn't unnerstand.
 
By Justthisguy on October 15, 2011 1:15 AM
Major! Qm!  Please chill.  I was thinking of something more formal.  As an Anglican, I insist that everything should be done in good order, with due ceremony, with every opportunity for reconciliation before doing something irrevocable.  Trying for reconciliation is one of the duties of a second, IIRC.