On the last JO training session before our summer deployment, we took a tour of a destroyer, the USS STETHAM, in dry dock. Most ship repairs are completed while moored but every once in a while a ship requires repairs or updates to its hull and/or keel. This requires the ship to use a lock that can be drained of water. The ship is then supported by a system of blocks that keep the keel and sonar dome from hitting the concrete below. It is quite an impressive sight to see an entire destroyer out of water.
It is impossible to get a good sense of how large a ship actually is until you see it out of the water. One of the first things I looked for was where the water line was located on the hull. It seemed surpisingly high, the dry dock was three or four floors below ground and the majority of the ship's structure below the waterline was still below ground level.
One of the main points stressed was the location of the sonar dome. This is the ship's lowest point and also one of the most sensitive areas. Everytime a ship moors or anchors, particular attention is paid to ensure nothing hits the dome. Another point was the system used to prevent rust and deterioration of the hull. Zinc blocks and cathodes are used to center the deterioation on the block or charge the hull. The Surface Warfare Officers spent some time anaylizing the rudders and props but most of that discussion went over my head.
The tour ended up being taped by a military corespondent. Several Officers ended up giving statements at the end. One of my friends emailed me to say he had seen me on televison. I have yet to see the segment since we left port before it was shown. I am very curious to see it at some point.
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