Ex- USS David Ray SINKEX assessment

Molon Labe · 07-24-08, 05:25 PM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7523147.stm

The keel is clearly broken. But they cut out the whole section in the middle of the video that would have been valuable in assessing the extent of the damage.

Now, it's hard to tell, but after the explosion, I can see parts of the superstructure aft of the explosion tumbling to the port side. Is this just crap that's been shaken loose by the shockwave sliding off the ship, or is this evidence of the aft capsizing separately from the bow?

Another question I have for the experts is whether it's customary to have the watertight doors open or closed during a SINKEX.

Just trying to get a feel for whether it was possible for this ship to survive and get a tow back to port if this had proper watertight integrity and a decent DC team.

Molon Labe · 07-24-08, 07:03 PM

Found my own answers.

The stern was not rotating freely in the video. Here is a still image from after the explosion subsides.

But, the ship was cut in half. As it was sinking, the stern did rotate separately from the bow.

Note the orientation of the antennas on the aft superstructure.

So I guess the only question is whether the ship was immediately doomed or whether the snapping off of the stern was caused in part by the ship beginning to sink. My guess is dooooooooooommmmmeed!

SandyCaesar · 07-25-08, 12:21 AM

This is probably inconsequential, but: my guess was that it was an UTK detonation, since those are the ones that usually cut ships in half. However, the video shows a somewhat asymmetrical explosion, with most of the blast on the starboard side, which seems to indicate a hull hit.

Did the explosion happen just a tad late? Or was it an impact hit?

Molon Labe · 07-25-08, 09:43 AM

It's definitely a UTK hit. Just not perfectly centered.

07-24-08, 05:25 PM	#1
Molon Labe Silent Hunter Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Along the Watchtower Posts: 3,810 Downloads: 27 Uploads: 5	Ex- USS David Ray SINKEX assessment http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7523147.stm The keel is clearly broken. But they cut out the whole section in the middle of the video that would have been valuable in assessing the extent of the damage. Now, it's hard to tell, but after the explosion, I can see parts of the superstructure aft of the explosion tumbling to the port side. Is this just crap that's been shaken loose by the shockwave sliding off the ship, or is this evidence of the aft capsizing separately from the bow? Another question I have for the experts is whether it's customary to have the watertight doors open or closed during a SINKEX. Just trying to get a feel for whether it was possible for this ship to survive and get a tow back to port if this had proper watertight integrity and a decent DC team. __________________

07-24-08, 07:03 PM	#2
Molon Labe Silent Hunter Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Along the Watchtower Posts: 3,810 Downloads: 27 Uploads: 5	Found my own answers. The stern was not rotating freely in the video. Here is a still image from after the explosion subsides. But, the ship was cut in half. As it was sinking, the stern did rotate separately from the bow. Note the orientation of the antennas on the aft superstructure. So I guess the only question is whether the ship was immediately doomed or whether the snapping off of the stern was caused in part by the ship beginning to sink. My guess is dooooooooooommmmmeed! __________________

07-25-08, 09:43 AM	#4
Molon Labe Silent Hunter Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Along the Watchtower Posts: 3,810 Downloads: 27 Uploads: 5	It's definitely a UTK hit. Just not perfectly centered. __________________

07-25-08, 12:21 AM	#3
SandyCaesar Chief Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: HMS Thanatus Posts: 325 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	This is probably inconsequential, but: my guess was that it was an UTK detonation, since those are the ones that usually cut ships in half. However, the video shows a somewhat asymmetrical explosion, with most of the blast on the starboard side, which seems to indicate a hull hit. Did the explosion happen just a tad late? Or was it an impact hit?