A US Navy Question...?

Question

Okay...What is the possibilities of an US Navy ship sinking today? Not from an attack but like how the Titantic did? I heard that the Navy's ships are so well made that even if split down the middle the ship should still float? Is that true or untrue? I never heard of a Navy Ship sinking and an attack on the US Navy was decades ago even though in today's world anything can happen. I heard the Navy is pretty safe. You can travel the world and get a good education. Only downer I heard was they don't give a damn about your family and you are on the ship for mostly a year at a time! But it is probably a good decision to consider.


Oh yeah, I don't want nor need no trash talking from an arrogant marine, lousy army soldier or an Airmen clown...Just positive feedback cuz I could give a damn about any other branch but Navy...Thanks...

It would be better if only sailors answer this because if you haven't served in the Navy then you wouldn't know...

Answer 1

Navy ships are well built and have safety features such as water tight doors, proper bulkhead planning, voids, ballast controls, etc.

The Stark got hit by two Exocet's, even though one didn't explode. It made it home. The Cole had a huge hole blown in it. Didn't sink.

Damage Control training is excellent.

But you hit any small-boy with a torpedo, and it's going to the bottom. May take two for a carrier.

Answer 2

There's no such thing as an unsinkable ship. While shipbuilding techniques and engineering are more advanced now than ever before, Navy ships are ships of war. As such, they are inherently dangerous due to the fuels, ammunition, explosives and very nature of their duty. When you live aboard ship for 9 to 10 months at a time during deployments and fight fires at sea, or ride the ship through heavy seas such as a typhoon or hurricane, you find out very quickly just how vulnerable the ship (even an aircraft carrier) can be. What makes the ship take on a life of its own is her crew; she's only as good as her crew is. They can install the best equipment and technology money can buy, ...but in the end its the sailors onboard who bring her to life. In over 21 years in the U.S. Navy, I had several "white knuckled" experiences while aboard ship, either due to fires or natural occurrences (storms). And every time, we survived because of the training, courage, discipline and determination of the sailors aboard the ship.

Let's not forget the two most recent "near losses" the Navy has had. The USS Stark and the USS Cole, ...both vessels were so heavily damaged they both should have been complete losses. Both vessels were damaged in a way so as to be "vented (open) to the sea" and the only reason they are still afloat to this day is due to the courage, training and sacrifice of their brave crews.

Incidentally, the Navy does care for the families of their Sailors and Marines, ...but duty must come first. Also, in over 21 years of active duty service, the longest deployment I made was a Western Pacific (WestPac) cruise that lasted 9 months (man, ...what a cruise THAT was!). Even during Desert Storm we were only deployed for 7 months. One thing is certain, ..you will see the world and go to places you'll never get back to again. While there are some very nice places overseas (Australia and Greece were my two particular favorites) It makes you appreciate what we have back here at home all that much more.

Answer 3

The Navy does have a very high level of Damage Control. That is what we call it when there is a fire, flood, or other causality onboard. We are highly trained on exactly what to do to save our ship in any case given to us. BUT, if the ship is split in two there are not enough DC plugs to fix the whole and we will probably have to abandon ship. We try to avoid such situations by having great navigation skills, tons of look out watches in place if we are sailing through heavy fog or questionable waters. The Navy can pretty much take care of herself.

The Navy does care about families, but the families need to be educated on what they are getting into when they decide to marry a Sailor, male or female. If your spouse doesn't have a clue that their spouse is going to away from home doing their job, they should not marry a military person of any branch. Instead we get 500 pound chics that marry the free ride guys and then moan and groan about how he doesn't care about her, he's never home with her and the kids. Crazy! You don't get that kind of free ride ladies, without the same sacrifice the guys gets by being away from home. The Navy takes very good care of families, but the families never count their blessings. Also, when we deploy we go for 6-7 months max. While deployed we get to see tons of really cool ports that the other service never get to see. We pull into port for about 3-5 days and take all the tours the normal tourists take. What sucks about that? We do see the world, we have awesome medical and dental, college and tons of other outstanding benefits most civilians don't even get.

The Navy does rule.

Answer 4

Split down the middle no. However there are a LOT of watertight doors so there is a lot of containment in the ships when it comes to water leaks. If a compartment floots the solution is simple close the door and post a sighn. Not to mention the pumps and such to evacuate water out of a area. Between the construction methods containment and training everyone recieves on a ship it is highly unlikely that a navy ship will sink. Everyone on the ship learns basic firefighting and hwo to plug holes and seal off area's for containment.

Answer 5

Navy ships are built with water-tight compartments. Quick and effective damage control will keep a ship afloat, but probably not if she were split in half.

USS Stark, USS Samuel B. Roberts, USS Tripoli, and USS Cole all suffered heavy damage in the last twenty years, but the sailors succeeded in saving the ships.

Answer 6

I like that Airman clown. That made me laugh.

PS No ship in the world if you split it in 1/2 will float. Even a clown knows that.
Paducah Billy
Capt USAF, Retired

Answer 7

as i have seen and heard that any ship that is split down the middle will sink but if you are saying the damage that the Titantic recevied your ship will stay afloat now moe than ever

Answer 8

anything is possible but its been awhile since the navy lost a ship. ships have zones that provide a certain degree of watertight integrity. during risky situations they set one of these conditions that would help in the event of something happening.

Answer 9

There is zero chance of that happening. Ships are now made with waterproof bulkheads and door seals that can entirely close off portions of the ship and allow it to sail to port. Something that was learned from the Titanic and put into all new ship designs

Answer 10

Navy ships are fairly well built and the crews are well trained in damage control and fire fighting. However, there's nothing can't be sunk.