Ex-USS Fife Sinkex August 2005

Two ships set up as targets, to become floating reef off Washington State coast.
First part is series of pictures, then the second torpedo hit and the bow falls off, followed by some other video and pics. The quick vid of USS Olemndorf sinking.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• torpedo
• fife
• sinking

[TheRobstoddard]

I forgot to mention, I was the ship's lead gyrotech and an IC2 at the time.

[TheRobstoddard]

I served on USS Fife from 1998 to 2000, got on board in Japan and took the cruise to Washington. Served on the 'crack pac' where my friends and I would sit on the weatherdecks by the smoke stacks and watch UFOs. Wish I had a video camera.

[bluecollar0]

I worked forward engine room and the flight deck from84-86. I stll have my cruise book from 86. I had just refueled the sh46 that crashed and hung up vertically on the starboard sea sparrow deck when we came out of the Strait of Malaka into the IO.She was an awesome ship.This is a sad vid for me to watch.I earned my shellback cert on her and had many a friend on her.She was home ported out of San Diego at the time.When I got on board she was only about 4 or 5 years young at the time.

[drumm2m3d]

This ship was my home from 79-81. Had that new ship smell.

[supermantrackcoach]

This is tough to watch. My only time on the Fife was for the decommissioning, because my great-grandfather was Admiral Fife.

A heartfelt thank you to all who served aboard the Fife. I'd buy any and all of you a drink any time, as long as you promise to tell me tales of the ship.

Also, I'm interested in Fife related docs, pics or anything else you'd be willing to share.

[Robbob9933]

@hammerogod One that I remember reading about many years ago was USS Laffey. It took 4 bombs and 6 kamakazi hits and survives today as a museum ship.

[hammerogod]

@Robbob9933

I guess they call that WC "We're all gonna die"

Now Hear This..Set Watertight Condition "You are not going to make it home to momma"

Talk about ships that took a pounding and kept on sailing, you have to remember the Franklin, Forrestal, Intrepid and several others that should have sunk but didn't...excellent DC and some luck kept them all afloat.

I had to fight a few onboard fires on the old Essex class CVA - Bon Homme Richard CVA-31...and it's always an ass puckering ordeal.

[Robbob9933]

@hammerogod All hatches are open on target ships. American ships are designed to take a beating. No matter what the damages is, if there is any possibility of saving the ship, a good DC crew can save it. Look at the USS Stark that took two exocet missiles.

[RickJames1811]

@heygoodc @eye done I remember both of you guys! Cooper, you took some good pics of my missiles being shot during desert storm. remember Thailand after the war? good times on that ship! I miss them.

[RickJames1811]

Sad to see her go out like that. The Fife was my first and best ship. She brought me back safely from desert storm. I served on her Aug. 1990- Oct. 1992. When the Navy DIDN'T suck.