World's first nuclear aircraft carrier retired from service

[YouCanToo]

USS Enterprise  (CVN 65) was the largest ship at the time of it's building. It was built to last for a meager 25 years and has went on to serve over 51 years making it the oldest active ship that ever served its country.

http://news.yahoo.com/uss-enterprise-carrier-taken-active-211422506.html

Not sure about that oldest to serve - would depend on how they are counting - the USCGC Acushnet (WMEC-167) ended service in 2011 and started with the Coast Guard in 1946 - it served as the USS Shackle (ARS-9) from like 1943 to 46 with the Navy.  My math tells me that with the CG alone the Acushnet served 65 years.  I would guess the way things work the CG will be getting the Enterprise now.

Why would the Coast Guard need an aircraft carrier   I do understand that they are the low man on the totem pole.

From what I have read so far is after being decommissioned the Enterprise will return to Washington State and will be scraped. Too bad they don't make it into a floating museum or something useful.

[The Chief]

From what I have read so far is after being decommissioned the Enterprise will return to Washington State and will be scraped.

After awhile - it took almost 10 years to finally do something with the USS America (CV-66)

[bicol_willem]

Sounds like a proven concept, why do we still burn oil?

We don't.  The last oil powered carrier (the USS John F. Kennedy, CVA-67) was retired in March of 2007. 

However, smaller ships have been deemed not suitable for nuclear power due to costs - no one wants half (or more) of the cost of the ship to be the power plant.  That may change as oil becomes more expensive.

  With "we" I actually meant "us", not just the navy 

[pupthai]

USS Enterprise  (CVN 65) was the largest ship at the time of it's building. It was built to last for a meager 25 years and has went on to serve over 51 years making it the oldest active ship that ever served its country.

http://news.yahoo.com/uss-enterprise-carrier-taken-active-211422506.html

Not sure about that oldest to serve - would depend on how they are counting - the USCGC Acushnet (WMEC-167) ended service in 2011 and started with the Coast Guard in 1946 - it served as the USS Shackle (ARS-9) from like 1943 to 46 with the Navy.  My math tells me that with the CG alone the Acushnet served 65 years.  I would guess the way things work the CG will be getting the Enterprise now.

Why would the Coast Guard need an aircraft carrier   I do understand that they are the low man on the totem pole.

From what I have read so far is after being decommissioned the Enterprise will return to Washington State and will be scraped. Too bad they don't make it into a floating museum or something useful.

   just a pun - as so many ships in the past came from the Navy after WWII.  Some of which where vary nice - the 205ft sea going tugs were great little ships.

[horusfalcon]

Sounds like a proven concept, why do we still burn oil?

We don't.  The last oil powered carrier (the USS John F. Kennedy, CVA-67) was retired in March of 2007. 

However, smaller ships have been deemed not suitable for nuclear power due to costs - no one wants half (or more) of the cost of the ship to be the power plant.  That may change as oil becomes more expensive.

Actually, the problem with nuclear power for smaller ships is power/weight ratio - smaller ships (escorts, destroyers, frigates, cruisers, etc.) generally need to be capable of higher speeds than nuclear power can deliver for their weight.  This gave rise to the Spruance and Burke class destroyers with their gas turbine power plants.  (A Burke class has four gas turbine engines, each of which delivers some 27,000 shaft horsepower).

Big "E" was a unique beast, and was capable of legendary speed and endurance, but later carriers are, ahem, somewhat less capable? (Cost being the driving factor there).

I served aboard Enterprise my last few months in the Navy (yard duty for an overhaul), and though I didn't like her nearly as much as the Sturgeon-class attack submarine I served on, she was a good ship with a good crew.  Yup, I'll miss her, and I'm wondering why she's being scrapped instead of made into a museum.  She certainly deserves better after serving her nation so long and so well.

Later On,
D

[The Chief]

I'm wondering why she's being scrapped instead of made into a museum.  She certainly deserves better after serving her nation so long and so well.

Same reason many others aren't - no one can come up with the money.

[horusfalcon]

I'm wondering why she's being scrapped instead of made into a museum.  She certainly deserves better after serving her nation so long and so well.

Same reason many others aren't - no one can come up with the money.

Well, there were 5200 sailors and marines on Big E at any one time in her history.  If everyone who ever served on her (who's still living, that is) chipped in a few bucks, I'm sure we could come up with something.  Hey, here's an idea:  after she's gutted, turn her into a dockside casino and hotel!  Let the old girl pay her own way!

Later On,
D

[The Chief]

Unfortunately, before you can  get title to it, you have to have enough millions available to ensure you can carry out the required maintenance to keep her afloat for something like 10 years - no simple matter.