USS Bonhomme Richard Fire

[Roadkingtrax]

This will no doubt be seen as a critical loss, but one that should have been avoided. Thankfully no one was killed.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/craighooper/2020/07/12/uss-bonhomme-richard-burns-likely-a-victim-of-lax-fire-safety-practices/

https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c8b0033/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1508x848+4+0/resize/1280x720!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fewscripps.brightspotcdn.com%2F2 4%2Fba%2F741b822a43e099348a03a6afde8b%2Fscreen-shot-2020-07-12-at-11.40.20%20AM.png

[M1Tommy]

She was undergoing major maintenance, had a skeleton duty crew and swarms of civilian contractors, had multiple fire fighting systems tagged out and inoperative, and up to recently had only civilian fire fighting efforts, i.e. monitors from dockside or boats directing water onto and against her sides. I am given to understand that USN fire fighting folks are boarding her, as should be.

If they do not wright her off, she will require very major repairs (yes, obviously). Perhaps she can be modernized too, then.

Don't give up the ship! (seems I've heard that before.....)

Tommy

[m1ashooter]

The importance of actually paying attention when you are on fire watch. My as a non rate had to stand fire watch when is cutter was in dry dock. He said he was bored, I told him to pay attention. I wonder what they box looking structure is thats tied up.

[dryheat]

Probably the usual, some one with a torch. The Navy likes to keep the sailors busy. Ships have been found with paint 3" thick.

[barretcreek]

Report said there was an explosion resulting in the fire. Someone may have taken a shortcut to save time, 'it was gas free earlier'.

[M1Tommy]

I have read of no deaths, and all personnel and contractors accounted for.
That said, yes, I read of the explosion. Firefighting teams going aboard her will have their work cut out for them, definitely.

Tommy

[m1ashooter]

its great that there is not loss of life. I don't think the Navy has had a fire this big since the Forrestal accident.

[pcox]

"I wonder what that box looking structure is that's tied up?" Probably living quarters and administration offices for the civilian crew of workers.

[Robert Scott]

Yes, that looks like a FAF, Floating Accomodation Facility, not for civilians except during emergencies.

[RED]

Yep he was there... From one of the USS Bon Homme Richard Chief Petty Officers.



I am home from the ER, smoke inhalation, abrasions to both eyes, and a pretty intense sunburn. So far we have no deaths and only 2 Sailors needed to be admitted overnight. BUT...It’s not over, the fire is still raging. Sailors and civilian first responders are still there. For those conspiracy people, it wasn’t a terrorist attack. It just got out of hand and once the explosions began, they didn’t stop. With all that said, let me tell you....TODAY WAS A GREAT DAY TO BE A CHIEF IN THE WORLD’S FINEST NAVY. We got two ships underway with no cranes, no port ops, no briefs, just Sailors from multiple ships coming together and putting their training to work. Officers and Enlisted...hand to hand...it wasn’t about rank, it was about experience and leadership, following orders, and taking charge. We got two ships underway in conditions where you couldn’t see the Sailor in front of you. We got two ships underway basically blindfolded with nothing more than the standardized training across the waterfront AND THAT is AMAZING!

[tmark]

The tv news stated that due to overhauls, the fire sprinkler system was turned off! Smart!

[Tuna]

Hill plates are starting to buckle I was told and if so then she is doomed for the breakers.

[M1Tommy]

The tv news stated that due to overhauls, the fire sprinkler system was turned off! Smart!

That is not unusual for maintenance activities.
Add to that, lines, cords, hoses of all manner EVERYwhere through passageways which prevent setting material conditions, literally tons of refuse everywhere in the ship from contractor work, and .... there's reason that "the yards" are a dangerous time for ships.
Tommy

- - - Updated - - -


Yep he was there... From one of the USS Bon Homme Richard Chief Petty Officers.

A family member of the man who reported that is on a Facebook page I follow. They are NOT giving up the ship! At last I read, there are literally hundreds of USN personnel fighting for her life.
Tommy

[m1ashooter]

Yep he was there... From one of the USS Bon Homme Richard Chief Petty Officers.

Red thanks for the post. Many forget that we have a lot of young people doing amazing things in the service and again when things get tough you want the Chiefs or senior NCO's making things happen.

[Griff Murphey]

I was on two LPHs, the antecedent to the LHA and LHD; USS Okinawa and New Orleans. There were fires on both ships underway and I remember that on NO at least twice the fire was announced to be “out of control” and the ship was brought to General Quarters. It was always a relief when the 1MC boomed out that the fire was out!

[fguffey]

Bonhomme Richard; The new one outlasted the first one. I guess something should be said about the one that is on fire, it did not leak when it started its service life. The first one was an old freighter, itwas sinking when the French gave it to John Paul Jones. When it came to service like John Paul Jones had to get into a hurry, the reloaders on Bonhomme Richard set off their big guns, the big guns were rendered scrap, all members stationed on the 4 guns were killed.

John Paul Jones did not panic he had his crew tie the Bonhomme Richard to the British ship; the British Captain did not panic, he surrendered. His crew was not happy because they had the better ship. He told his crew he had no choice, he said John Paul Jones was going to kill them all when Bonhomme Richard sank.

When the crew of the Bonhomme Richard stepped off of their deck and onto the British ship they sailed off with one fine shop.

As a side not the British Captain was shouting instructions to his snippers; he did not want anything to happen to John Paul Jones; it seemed he was the only sailor on the Bonhomme Richard that was willing to accept a surrender by the British.

F. Guffey

[fguffey]

And then one day we thought we would have a John Paul Jones day; and we could not find him. It was as if he left a place he was not noticed and went to a place he was appreciated.

F. Guffey

[SUPERX-M1]

Almost certain to be scrapped. In service for 22 years. Replacement cost is 4 billion. Hull may be badly damaged.

The 14 billion dollar Ford Class carriers are expected to be maintained for 50 years.

Nuclear carriers cost at least 1 1/2 billion to scrap. Yes, each one.

My old AD-38 destroyer tender (20000 tons) was scrapped after 29 years. Said the tenders were cheap to build, but very expensive to staff. A few ,or one, submarine tenders, left, I read.

The attack sub miami was scrapped after an arson fire in 2012. 1/2 billion to have repaired. Sub was 12 year old. Decommission cost was ?. Replacement cost was?

[M1Tommy]

The fate of the Bonhomme Richard depends on the findings of the damage investigations, needs of the service, availability of repair facilities, and of course politics of the day.

I was aboard the Puget Sound as a Reservist in '89 (?... been a while!), a 3 week ACDUTRA as a TM3. She went out of Norfolks (again, I think Norfolk...... been a while) for some days of a sea-trial run. She seemed a good ship. I worked hard and learned much. (see edit below... leaving this as is for y'alls amusement...)

The value of the tenders was their skilled crews.

The Emory S. Land and Frank Cable, AS-39 and AS-40 respectively, are still in commission and very active.

Regards,
Tommy

I found this link, below, and seems the Puget Sound was not the ship, then.... could've swore it was her.... weird.
I did similar on the Yellowstone, too... crap.. memory is twisted sometimes. I will dig through some old paperwork and try to set it straight in my mind.

[dryheat]

Memory can't be trusted it seems. Me and two friends have done loads of things together over the past forty years. When we get together and recount some events we end up with widely differing tales.