USS Tarawa LHA 1

CGRET · #1 08-07-2009, 22:29

The ship was decomissioned this year. Follow the link for more information.

http://nwcricket.com/tarawadecom/

Final deposition of the ship is unknown.

Regards
Charles

CGRET · #2 26-07-2009, 18:21

Here is her sister Belleau Wood heading out of Pearl Harbor under tow for use as a target in a sink-ex exercise.

NavajoBelleauWood.jpg

Regards
Charles

Don Boyer · #3 05-02-2010, 05:37

Tarawa is currently tied up in the Inactive Service Craft Facility in West Loch, Pearl Harbor. Google Earth doesn't have a photo of late enough date to show her, but if you do look, you'll see West Loch has a facility for storing the oldies, and there are quite a few about of various varieties. I had heard Tarawa is due to be used as a target in the next RimPac exercise, to be done in with missiles and bombs and all that good stuff. Seems a shame, considering that her engines could easily be replaced and upgraded. No foreign countries apparently want to spend the dollars to acquire a Harrier-capable flight deck.

steve roberts · #4 05-02-2010, 09:41

Hi Don. As you say "pennies" dictate the end of these perfectly convertabile LHA's.I last saw USS Tarawa in Naples in 1966. Regards. Steve.

Don Boyer · #5 05-02-2010, 15:09

When I drive down the H-1 freeway (no jokes about Hawaii having "freeways"!) to Honolulu, there is a long stretch of the road that looks down on the facility, and I get kinda sad sometimes seeing all those "old girls," many of whom were active when I was in the navy, rusted out and forlorn, awaiting the end. Seems kind of silly -- they're just empty steel -- but still....

Regards

CGRET · #6 06-02-2010, 19:24

Don,

I am not aware that these ships were offered for sale, I may have missed the report offering these ships.

But you are correct they would make a handsome addition to any fleet once the engines were replaced and modernized!

Regards
Charles

JarrowDave · #7 07-02-2010, 02:37

Not just new engines, new every thing. anyone thinking of modernising a "pre-used" warship should read N. Friedman's description of the modernisation of HMS Victorious. A most painful process.

First three quarters of 20th Century warships were generally good for about 20 years useful life, after which they became really expensive to maintain and operate.

Lately, better materials science and manufacturing processes has probably moved the 20 year rule, to about 30 years, tops! The USN ships are undoubtebly well designed, built and maintained but if they are over 20/30 years old, they are worn out.

Even if they aren't worn out, they are probably well beyond the financial capability of any country to which the US would be wiling to sell.

The concept of a Super Harrier might well be worth looking into.

JD

Don Boyer · #8 07-02-2010, 03:45

JD -- you are probably right.

I have not heard of any offered for sale,
Renovations would be truly expensive..probably equal to purchase price, but it could be done. Victorious and many other late war British carriers do NOT represent that peak of construction skill you would have seen from Vickers Armstrong's back in the day. They were poorly done, in fact someone here on the forum brought out that fact in talking about "armored flight decks vs. the wooden Essex style.

The ships that are tiring out now, are far better built to start with.

ChrisV71 · #9 08-02-2010, 22:37

Tarawa is not scheduled for RIMPAC, in fact, Tarawa is in Cat B reserve. This is to placate the Marines who believe the USN has junked too many amphibs. This is also why Nashville, despite her age is also Cat B.

Don Boyer · #10 09-02-2010, 02:20

Thanks, Chris, good information. I checked the fleet status issue of Proceedings and you are entirely correct. Probably just means she'll have more rust on her when she does get canned.

I have wondered what the Marines (travel agents for Allah) thought of having these relatively new ships disappear from the fleet.

Regards,