Letters

For Shame!

As I turned the pages, looking for a particular article, I saw the introduction to “Navy Cracking Glass Between Reserve, Active Forces” (July Sea Power) and, quite frankly, I was a bit offended. “A second-class petty officer …?” For shame! That may have been a petty officer 2nd class — but not a second-class petty officer.

I will always consider petty officers to be first class whether their pay grade is E-4 through and including E-9. Or even E-10, if we consider the master chief petty officer of the Navy.

Edwin D. Groover
Senior Chief Equipment Operator
USN (Ret.)
Received via e-mail

Valid Concept for Sea Basing

I read with great interest the articles on “Sea Basing, The Revolution in Power Projection,” which appeared in the June issue of Sea Power.

The concept of using existing merchant hulls is not new or innovative. During the period 1986-87, we at Puerto Rico Marine Management Inc. (Navieras de Puerto Rico) proposed the conversion of two of our Sun Shipbuilding and Drydock Co.-built roll-on/roll-off ships. The configuration was similar to that of the artist renditions accompanying the articles. I noted on page 21 the artist conception of converting the Maersk Line Ltd. S-class container ship to a Maritime Prepositioning Force future platform.

The concept is as valid today as it was 20 years ago. We were ahead of our time and now have enlightened thinkers in the Defense Department. The use of existing merchant vessels (black hulls) is certainly far more economical as to cost and time than designing gray hulls from the keel up.

Warren G. Leback
President
First American Bulk Carrier Corp.
Princeton, N.J.

Connector Solution

I read George Cahlink’s article on “Connectors” for sea base ships [in the June issue] with interest. I’m a three-year World War II Navy veteran with two years on LST 533. LSTs are no longer in the Navy’s inventory, but I believe I have the solution for sea bases and connectors.

The old LSTs allowed small craft to come into its center from the rear and then pump water out to raise it and dock the craft. In this way it doesn’t matter what the sea state is because the craft is now part of the LST.

If a modern, high-speed LST was designed at 300 feet in length with a 50-foot beam, it could drive into the opening of the sea base ship at the rear and open its bow doors. After the water is pumped out, the LST would drop its ramp on a platform on the sea base for loading vehicles into the tank deck. The main deck can be loaded with cranes from the side platforms. The LST is now part of the sea base ship and it doesn’t matter what the sea state is. After the LST leaves, of course, it can be beached and unload its cargo as was done in World War II.

Any small craft can be loaded in a similar manner with cranes including the Landing Craft Air Cushion and catamarans. There will be platforms provided for CH-46 and CH-53 helicopters, and V-44 or V-22 aircraft.

Joseph F. Panicello
North Hills, Calif.

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