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Now the SIAM BB Class samples are submitted for your inspection :matrix:
Note: The thinner chuck of steel was mislabled and is side armour above the waterline for the SIAM's
I am curious about the cutting equipment ( size and gas mixtures ) for turning a 16-inch steel plate battleship into 5 ft x 5 ft chunks of scrap.
Would I use my Smith No. 1 tipped cutting torch to attempt such a activity?
To date, 1-inch mild steel plate is the thickest object I have tried to cut in two halves, so I was wondering about a battleship being sent to the breakers.
I am curious about the cutting equipment ( size and gas mixtures ) for turning a 16-inch steel plate battleship into 5 ft x 5 ft chunks of scrap.
Would I use my Smith No. 1 tipped cutting torch to attempt such a activity?
To date, 1-inch mild steel plate is the thickest object I have tried to cut in two halves, so I was wondering about a battleship being sent to the breakers.
The "faceplate" that became the target was IMO, like many others one piece, You can still see the boltholes on the target plate although im thinking that looking at the full picture it may be upside down judging by the defined edge on the plate. This particular plate was cut into several pieces affording them several targets for different tests. You notice that 2 gun tests were perfomed.
To burn through that kind of plate you would need to focus extreme heat and air such as like an air arc but much bigger or special gas rig. The extreme air pressure clears the cavity of molten metal the tip is cutting through to keep the path clear.
The "faceplate" that became the target was IMO, like many others one piece, You can still see the boltholes on the target plate although im thinking that looking at the full picture it may be upside down judging by the defined edge on the plate. This particular plate was cut into several pieces affording them several targets for different tests. You notice that 2 gun tests were perfomed.
To burn through that kind of plate you would need to focus extreme heat and air such as like an air arc but much bigger or special gas rig. The extreme air pressure clears the cavity of molten metal the tip is cutting through to keep the path clear.
The supply of Ox or air is understood, I was wondering if the Face harden area of the steel would be an issue? Note in the picture where it appears some of the face hadren steel got smashed and shoved in with the projectile, ( smoothed area covering the factures of the core ) at the point of impact.
Well, I can tell you from seeing with my own two eyes that it will take more gas then any one man is going to carry (the O2 tanks themselves were about 5' tall about 2 feet in diameter and one perhaps two rather large tank of cutting gas) when New Jerseys barbette was penetrated for a passage into Turret 2. That cut alone took days to accomplish and IMO, the armor at that point was only about 1.5-2" thick on 4 deck into Forward Plot.
I would however imagin there are faster cutting gases and bigger tipped torches but also keep in mind... Do you want nice clean lines or a Greek Tragedy when your done?
Well, I can tell you from seeing with my own two eyes that it will take more gas then any one man is going to carry (the O2 tanks themselves were about 5' tall about 2 feet in diameter and one perhaps two rather large tank of cutting gas) when New Jerseys barbette was penetrated for a passage into Turret 2. That cut alone took days to accomplish and IMO, the armor at that point was only about 1.5-2" thick on 4 deck into Forward Plot.
I would however imagin there are faster cutting gases and bigger tipped torches but also keep in mind... Do you want nice clean lines or a Greek Tragedy when your done?
IMO, All depends on the effect you want.
Where you made your cut is in the LOWER Barbette below the armored 2nd deck. The Class A face hardened Barbette armor ends at 2nd deck. The lower Barbette is 1 1/2" STS plating and is only in between 2nd & 3rd decks. Under 3rd deck the Barbette weight is absorbed by a circular structural beam called a Carlen beam. Below third deck you are seeing the turret foundation, part of which is a truncated cone. The entire turret foundation starting from the roller path on down is 1 1/2" thick STS plate.
STS can be cut with an oxy-acetylene torch. But you should use the full size bottles for as much volume as possible to keep feeding the flame and the pre-heat without stops to change small bottles. A number 3 cutting tip should be enough to provide pre-heat before squeezing the trigger for the Oxygen jet. It would also help if a second man was with you but pre-heating the metal ahead of you with a number 5 Rosebud tip. WARNUNG! Do NOT use a number 5 SCARFING tip as it will blow jagged globs of molten metal out if you accidentally hit the trigger. We only used the scarfing tips to "wash off" old weld from structural stiffeners during replacement of shell plating.
Curious, You didnt have an EOD Team attached to the ships company or USNMCM's?
Why not drag the paravanes? She was still rigged for them.
I'm sure we did have EOD's aboard, but this was a demonstration by the German minesweeping school based out of Kiel, our port of call just a day prior. They did their thing admirably as well.
As for cutting Iowa's armor plating with torches - good luck with that and I don't know how one would go about it, but I know it sure hurt like hell catching your forehead on a hatch, and seeing the armored doors separating the O4 bridge from the O4 wheelhouse pretty much tells the tale of how tough the ladies are, and it's only 17" thick... Found a nice pic of the Mo's using google image search and keywords 'iowa class wheelhouse door', but since I'm still new posting images here is new as well. sorry.
Last edited by BB61Vet; 31 Aug 11,, 19:21.
Reason: clarification
Curious, You didnt have an EOD Team attached to the ships company or USNMCM's?
Why not drag the paravanes? She was still rigged for them.
All the Battleships had special teams trained to destroy mines -- at a safe distance from the ship. As for Paravane gear, no Paravanes, wire and chain were issued to the ships though the Paravane Eye on the Forefoot Skep was in place along with the chain pipe inside the forepeak tank.
Except on the New Jersey. The paravane eye and the 7-inch IPS chain pipe were totally rusted out. So I had them totally removed. (see photos on pages 204 & 205 of my book).
PS: Iowa and New Jersey used 7" IPS piping which was a size to be phased out of manufacture. Missouri and Wisconsin have the more modern standard 8" IPS piping.
All the Battleships had special teams trained to destroy mines -- at a safe distance from the ship. As for Paravane gear, no Paravanes, wire and chain were issued to the ships though the Paravane Eye on the Forefoot Skep was in place along with the chain pipe inside the forepeak tank.
Except on the New Jersey. The paravane eye and the 7-inch IPS chain pipe were totally rusted out. So I had them totally removed. (see photos on pages 204 & 205 of my book).
PS: Iowa and New Jersey used 7" IPS piping which was a size to be phased out of manufacture. Missouri and Wisconsin have the more modern standard 8" IPS piping.
Rusty, I can show you that she (Iowa) did atleast carry what appears to be the Paravane itself during her cruise from 1984 until? Wether it was in fact used or not I do not know but the paravane flyer (appears to be one) was aboard stowed on the quarter, under the bridge just forward of Mt.51.
I will provide a link.
The reason I was curious is that Vet had mentioned that the Germans had detonated one about 100 yards from the ship. USS Missouri's OED Team detonated one in the Persian Gulf yet further away from the ship. Just wondering why the Iowa's Team didnt take care of it. No disrespect or being "put on spot" intended. I was just curious.
Rusty, I can show you that she (Iowa) did atleast carry the Paravane itself during her cruise from 1984 forward. Wether it was in fact used or not I do not know but the paravane flyer itself was aboard stowed on the quater, under the bridge just forward of Mt.51.
I will provide a link.
No it is not, Atleast I have not see one mounted or on display since I have been aboard. This is a more modern underwater device on display in the museum section of the ship on the port side.
Rusty, I can show you that she (Iowa) did atleast carry what appears to be the Paravane itself during her cruise from 1984 until? Wether it was in fact used or not I do not know but the paravane flyer (appears to be one) was aboard stowed on the quarter, under the bridge just forward of Mt.51.
I will provide a link.
The reason I was curious is that Vet had mentioned that the Germans had detonated one about 100 yards from the ship. USS Missouri's OED Team detonated one in the Persian Gulf yet further away from the ship. Just wondering why the Iowa's Team didnt take care of it. No disrespect or being "put on spot" intended. I was just curious.
Oh dear me. I really HATE having to bust bubbles especially of such a good friend and a tremendous help. But what is stowed there is the PROBE refueling hose with receiving cone and its tripod. In both photos.
We equipped all of the Iowas with the new PROBE fuel receiving gear eliminating the ROBB system that often led to excessive spillage on deck. The ships have FOUR receiving stations, two port and two stbd. On one of NJ's sea trials I was on we did a night refueling and it was interesting to watch as I spent a few years in the design section drawing some of the ealier prototype tripods and witnessing weight tests. That was the first time I was able to see it actually in use.
The photo above (from wikipedia) is the type of Paravane the Battleships USED to carry.
Oh dear me. I really HATE having to bust bubbles especially of such a good friend and a tremendous help. But what is stowed there is the PROBE refueling hose with receiving cone and its tripod. In both photos.
We equipped all of the Iowas with the new PROBE fuel receiving gear eliminating the ROBB system that often led to excessive spillage on deck. The ships have FOUR receiving stations, two port and two stbd. On one of NJ's sea trials I was on we did a night refueling and it was interesting to watch as I spent a few years in the design section drawing some of the ealier prototype tripods and witnessing weight tests. That was the first time I was able to see it actually in use.
The photo above (from wikipedia) is the type of Paravane the Battleships USED to carry.
No prob Rusty, good clarification. Always open to learning. So they carried something similar to what Bismark carried.:)
In your opinion, what might these be? I have an idea of what they "could" be but not sure. I figured either a target drone without its wings, one of the "above", or a part of the Towed Array from the Korean era.
Oh dear me. I really HATE having to bust bubbles especially of such a good friend and a tremendous help. But what is stowed there is the PROBE refueling hose with receiving cone and its tripod. In both photos.
We equipped all of the Iowas with the new PROBE fuel receiving gear eliminating the ROBB system that often led to excessive spillage on deck. The ships have FOUR receiving stations, two port and two stbd. On one of NJ's sea trials I was on we did a night refueling and it was interesting to watch as I spent a few years in the design section drawing some of the ealier prototype tripods and witnessing weight tests. That was the first time I was able to see it actually in use.
The photo above (from wikipedia) is the type of Paravane the Battleships USED to carry.
I don't mean to jump into the BB board with DD talk, but the refueling equipment on the USS Barry DD-933 was on display @ WNY.
Mr. L addressed two- types of refueling devices. Is this the older style?
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