The shakedown cruise of Navy’s newest warship is not without incident:
After our fish-terrorizing run up Lake Michigan yesterday, and our transit through the Straits of Mackinaw, the Freedom came to a stop and launched a small boat to pick up a part it missed in Milwaukee,” (Navy Times reporter Phil) Ewing wrote Tuesday. “After a sleepless night of strange ship noises and the clanking of out-of-sight machinery, I woke up to learn the part we’d brought aboard — something to do with our Inmarsat satellite antenna — didn’t work. What’s more, the ship had used up much more of its fuel than expected during our full-CODAG (ed. combined diesel and gas) run. What’s more than that, a valve on the port diesel engine was cracked; the Freedom could still run both its diesels, but the engineers recommended babying the port engine until we could get a replacement valve.
… But the hiccups were just getting started. After another stroll through the multi-mission area with the XO, Cmdr. Kris Doyle, a voice came over the 1MC announcing that three of the ship’s generators were offline. A lube oil leak meant the ship could only run one of its four diesel motors that deliver the ‘hotel load’ powering our lights, the sensors, the networks, everything. The Freedom secured electricity in all ‘non-essential spaces,’ meaning we’re using flashlights in our cabins and there were no soft drinks for lunch today in the mess.
But apart from that, at least the accomodations seem world class (at least by Navy standards):
The sailors have roomy racks, with enough space to sit up and use a laptop computer, as well as their own head, shower and sink. The berthing space also has its own plasma TV, which we learned displays Dallas Cowboys football games,” Ewing wrote Wednesday.
“We saw the ship’s gym, which is a dedicated space, unlike the makeshift workout rooms on many surface ships. It doubles as the barber shop. We also saw the crew’s lounge, which, for my money, is the nicest relaxation area on board the Freedom. It has a full rack of consumer-electronics goodies bolted to the deck, including a giant Sony Bravia plasma-screen TV; an XBox360; a Blu-Ray DVD player; and surround sound, complete with stereo speakers wired above the overhead pipes and cables. A retired sailor in Milwaukee with consumer electronics connections donated all the gear, we learned: the crew got the XBox; the chief’s mess got a PlayStation 3; and the wardroom has a Nintendo Wii.”
Catering to the Millenial generation, it seems. Straight from the playbook.
At least the racks still work.
Too bad about the generators.
Update: On the bright side, at least no one died.
It just seems so weird to see a naval warship with that much empty deckspace. Gun looks tiny, too.
I am hoping to catch a glimpse of her when she docks here in Cleveland in the next couple of days.
I do know that she will be docked at the Naval Park in Buffalo, NY and the crew maybe provided tickets to the Bills v. Browns Monday Night game in Buffalo.
Wow, “sit up berths”, where’s the stacked 4 high racks we enjoyed.
Insert theme song for “The Love Boat”.
re Millenial brief (notice Obama supporter Colin Powell’s firm created the intellectual property)-
“They feel the possibilities are endless- and no qualifications are required”
A$$, meet foot. God help us all. Maybe we would be better off with roboships and planes…
I’m bringng up my kids different. They will not be school fish…
b2
According to the blog of the reporter that wrote that story, Freedom is in Cleveland now. Wish I still lived there so I could take a gander.
To think, 195 years ago we fought the Brits in those waters. “we have met the enemy and they are ours” and all that… we have had the fortune of never having to fight there since.
And how long did they polish this turd up there in Wisconsin before they decided to kick it out of the nest? FYI, the line that broke should have gone through at least two QA tests to validate parameters. Jeff, that IS a little bitty gun.
And I’ll wait to see it till it shows it’s rusty hull here in Mayport to take the place of one of my FFGs. At least it’ll provide some icing on the retirement plan.
I hope that thing has a death ray hidden away somewhere!! Not too ‘mean-looking’ in a bland kind of configuration. Maybe the Coast Guard should be using them.
Those sit-up racks would be nice. After some 25 odd years since I was last at sea and living in a ‘coffin’ rack, I still sleep in one place, hardly mess up the bed!!! Unless of course I have to defend against a boarding party (Wifey crosses the DMZ)!!
BT: Jimmy T sends.
I can hear the Shades of John Paul Jones now…
I wish to have no connection with any ship that is not a Nice Ride
Sid, that’s your best line of the decade.
Odd… I was under the impression that we had a treaty with Canada that said something to the effect of “no warships on the great lakes”. Obviously this isn’t the case…at least not anymore. Has anyone else heard of this?
She is docked behind the Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Which for security reasons is the most inaccessible part of the port to get a good view. I will try a little later to get closer.
The Navy is only allowing 1,000 people to view the ship today and and then again tomorrow.
http://carrollforlakewood.blogspot.com/2008/11/uss-freedom-in-cleveland.html#links