USS COLE & BLUE MARLIN

Ulrich Rudofsky · Post by **Ulrich Rudofsky** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 10:08 pm

The http://www.ship1250photo.com website is making good progress in accumulating mini-ship model illustrations. I have acquired a new model that represents the DDG USS COLE and the heavy lifter BLUE MARLIN.
USS COLE/BLUE MARLIN

(Click on the thumbnail photo for enlargement and other photos)

Karl Heidenreich · Post by **Karl Heidenreich** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 10:12 pm

I ever wonder what will happen to Cole if hit by a 15" shell of Bismarck´s APC.

Ulrich Rudofsky · Post by **Ulrich Rudofsky** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 10:20 pm

It would have entered one side and exited the other without exploding???? But the Alrleigh Burke DDGs have a fair amount of surviveability, as demonstrated by the USS COLE.

http://forum-marinearchiv.de/smf/index. ... 1.msg62499
http://ussalgolaka54.org/ships_pictures.htm

Karl Heidenreich · Post by **Karl Heidenreich** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 10:47 pm

OK. Let´s use HE instead.

Bgile · Post by **Bgile** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 11:25 pm

Karl Heidenreich wrote:OK. Let´s use HE instead.

A 15" HE shell would have a lot less explosive than what was actually used against USS Cole. Cole's damage would be better represented by a Mk48 torpedo.

Ulrich Rudofsky · Post by **Ulrich Rudofsky** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 12:44 am

The steel-encased bomb(s) was made from C4 high explosives having a TNT equivalent of 700 lbs. The hole was 30 ft high x40 ft wide.

Bgile · Post by **Bgile** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 5:17 am

Ulrich Rudofsky wrote:The steel-encased bomb(s) was made from C4 high explosives having a TNT equivalent of 700 lbs. The hole was 30 ft high x40 ft wide.

Thanks for the info! Not quite a Mk48 torpedo, but still much more than a 15" HE shell.

Ulrich Rudofsky · Post by **Ulrich Rudofsky** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 1:56 pm

Here is what a well-placed MK-48 torpedo may have done......and what the attackers of the USS COLE attempted to accomplish............

Point Of Contact
Public Affairs Office
Naval Sea Systems Command (OOD)
Washington, DC 20362

General Characteristics, MK-48, MK-48 (ADCAP)

Primary Function: Heavyweight torpedo for submarines.
Contractor: Gould.
Date Deployed: 1972.
Propulsion: Piston engine; pump jet.
Length: 19 feet (5.79 meters).
Diameter: 21 inches (53.34 centimeters).
Weight: 3,434 lbs (1545.3 kg) (MK-48); 3,695 lbs (1662.75 kg) (MK-48 ADCAP).
Speed: Greater than 28 knots (32.2 mph, 51.52 kph).
Range: Greater than 5 miles (8 km).
Depth: Greater than 1,200 ft (365.76 meters).
Guidance System: Wire guided and passive/active acoustic homing.
Warhead: 650 lbs (292.5 kg) high explosive.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vaImLvZbPw

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... 1166294545

Ulrich Rudofsky · Post by **Ulrich Rudofsky** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 9:12 pm

One very interesting subject is the "shock test" of the Arleigh Burke DDG 81 USS WINSTON CHURCHILL. There is a lot about it on the Internet.
http://www.churchill.navy.mil/shocktrials.htm
http://www.nps.navy.mil/svcl/Projects/Projects.htm
http://www.nps.navy.mil/svcl/

PS: I still have not found the specifications of the ballistic steel/kevlar laminate that may be used for some of the hull armor. I would be interesting to know a little about it. Also, it is apparent that there were several design changes and construction and material changes made along the way, and one Burke is not like the other in the way they are built.