The Drydock - Episode 049

I enjoy your humor - Indefatigable in circular battle like Pirates #3 but no fish people. :-) Question 1) Is there an index, where I could look up old subjects? 2) If not already done, a simple one - [kidding] in general about what goes into choice of naval guns - ie what was so special about dahlgren guns in particular. Why ratios of 5"38 3"50. Why not 5" 128s? Who comes up with these - Military vs industry - Krupp (I understand the bore vs length ratio terminology. I also realize metallurgy and technology had a lot to do with it. Thanks

While I agree with your putative view of Admiral King, I have to say two things for the man-- 1) he knew how to accurately sum up his personality by way of his quote of "when they get into trouble they send for the sons of bitches;" and 2) he thought Beatty was an idiot and openly conveyed Beatty's misgivings to Beatty during an exercise. I would not fault it if the Royal Navy shared his assessment on both counts . . . .

Thank you for letting me know. I haven't really poked around the Discord yet but I think I will make a point to this weekend.

Have you seen the Discord? There's a bunch of recommended YouTube videos there.

Paul from Chicago

A question, Sir. Have you considered doing a video concerning the USS Forrestal? The Zuni rocket that caused the great fire of 1967 is, to my knowledge, still used by the USN for damage control training in what to and not to do.

Vintage Car History

I might be biased, as my father flew them, including into typhoons, but as a naval patrol bomber the Privateers were hard to beat. Came into service rather late though.

Q&A: How much does naval artillery development parallel land artillery development? Any recommendations on YouTube channels to listen to for lectures on Naval History topics? I have found a few but am looking for more...including some really weird ones. I think the best/weirdest one I have found is a very entertaining video of a US Navy officer who specializes in procurement examining a well run procurement program (namely the Death Star). https://youtu.be/0FRoN9mFnhQ (it seems that the US Naval Academy museum put on a sort of scifi convention). I am curious what you think of the lecture.

I just joined, and just want to thank Drach for this channel. I love it!

Vintage Car History

In regard to haunting images, and your uncle. as someone that also had zero chance of getting out should something bad happen around the engine room. I know my family would miss me dearly, however, I risk this sacrifice to protect the ones I love and the rest of y'all. I made the risk of sacrifice for them, I'm sure your uncle felt the same. The image is just as haunting to me knowing that very well could have been my fate as well, however, for the ones we love, we do what we must to protect them. For every minute I can keep the power and fire mains going, that is more time for those topside to do what they must, and gives them a better chance to survive and keep the fight going to protect the ones we love back home.

ZarconDeeGrissom

It's said that the UK wanted Ireland to join the war due to it's strategic location for the war in the Atlantic. What benefits would this realistically have provided given they already controlled Northern Ireland. A similar question on the "Treaty ports" leased to the British in Berehaven, Cobh and Lough Swilly. Would these ports have been strategically useful had the British held onto them?

The man that took over from Nelson was as good I think; Collingwood one of Nelson's band of brothers in the same style and philosophy and a great Admiral for RN.

John Hargreaves

Further to Conqueror bit; RN submarines from the 80s to the present day are the quietest nuclear submarines in any navy. The stealth capability is far better than the US equivalents as shown by NATO exercises. Apart from the other reasons you mentioned the RN boats were the best in NATO fleet for the job.

John Hargreaves

There is an intrinsic value to the armour plate and some steels on these ships viz; as these were built and sank under a decent amount of water before the nuclear age the level of radioactivity in the steel is a lot lower than steel on the surface and manufactured since the nuclear age the value is of material to make sensitive instruments and protections that have this low radioactivity with in them. Sonar, thermal imagers and radioactivity detectors require these metals to reduce background effects on the instruments making them more sensitive and useful. The water of Scapa Flow has protected them for this long. Regards

John Hargreaves