Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week…Problems with the submarine and broader shipbuilding and repair industrial base are crying out for solutions. Noted historian and navalist Dr Jerry Hendrix has been doing some deep thinking about the issue, how we got here, lessons from history and what actions can be taken to address the shortfalls. He’ll join us.
Please send us feedback by DM’ing @CavasShips or @CSSProvision or you can email chriscavas@gmail.com or cservello@defaeroreport.com.
This Week’s Naval News
China launched a series of naval, air and military demonstrations around Taiwan on May 23 that, according to Chinese media, were the “largest in scale and vessels were getting closer to the island than ever before.” In particular, Chinese forces closed around the Taiwan-held islands of Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqui and Dongyin. The military demonstrations, called Joint Sword 2024A, were a direct response to the inauguration on May 20 of Taiwan’s new leader Lai Ching-te; a Chinese military spokesman said the exercises were “strong punishment” for Taiwan independence wishes.
Meanwhile, on May 24, Japanese defense minister Minoru Kihara said that, for the first time, Japanese Self-Defense Forces would take part in upcoming Valiant Shield exercises in the western Pacific. Valiant Shield takes place every other year and normally is an all-U.S. exercise. Kihara noted, quote, the security environment surrounding Japan is becoming increasingly severe.”
The Chinese frigate XUCHANG of the 46th Chinese naval escort task force made what was called a “technical stop” at Cape Town, South Africa, from May 16 to 19. XUCHANG is one of three naval ships of the escort force, which deployed in February.
The aircraft carrier USS RONALD REAGAN left Yokosuka, Japan May 16 as she begins a transit across the Pacific to San Diego, where a turnover will be conducted with the carrier GEORGE WASHINGTON, which will continue to become the US Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier in Japan. Accompanying the REAGAN are the cruiser ROBERT SMALLS and destroyer HOWARD. Meanwhile, GEORGE WASHINGTON is still in the Atlantic Ocean, and on May 22 was at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The US military’s JLOTS Joint Logistics, Over-the-Shore pier in Gaza was completed on May 16 and shipments of humanitarian aid began May 17, US defense officials said. More than a million pounds of materials had been delivered ashore by May 23, the US Navy said. The JLOTS system is supported by Naval Beach Group 1 from Coronado, California and the Army’s 7th Transportation Brigade from Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia.
The destroyer USS CARNEY returned to her homeport of Mayport, Florida May 19 and was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation by Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro, who was on hand for the return. The award’s citation noted it was for “outstanding performance against terrorist forces during their nearly eight-month deployment.” CARNEY carried out 51 separate engagements against Houthi-launched weapons, including land attack cruise missiles, anti-ship ballistic missiles and surface and air unmanned systems, along with launching two strikes that destroyer another 20 Houthi targets.
New Ship News – The future USS PIERRE (LCS 38) was christened May 18 at Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama. PIERRE is the 19th and last Independence-class littoral class combat ship to be built and is expected to be delivered next year.
Navy Secretary Del Toro announced May 22 he was naming the future Arleigh Burke-class destroyers DDG 143 and 144 RICHARD J DANZIG and MICHAEL G. MULLEN, respectively, honoring a former Navy Secretary and Chief of Naval Operations. On May 23 Del Toro announced he had named the future Constellation-class frigate FFG 66 HAMILTON, for the first Treasury Secretary. Also on May 23, the Navy awarded a billion-dollar contract to Fincantieri Marinette Marine for the construction of the HAMILTON and the yet-to-be-named FFG 67.
And in Old Ship News, the US Navy announced May 22 the wreck of the World War Two submarine USS HARDER had been located and its identity confirmed. The wreck of the submarine, at a depth of more than 3,000 feet in the South China Sea off the coast of Luzon in the Philippines, was discovered by Tiburon Subsea and the Lost 52 Project. HARDER, under the command of Commandeer Sam Dealey, was sunk in August 1944 during its sixth wartime patrol after compiling one of the most impressive records of any U.S. submarine during the war.
Cavas Squawk:
I was already thinking about the US Navy’s relationship with ship names earlier this week when I was reading a Navy press release announcing a commissioning date had been set for the new amphibious ship RICHARD M. McCOOL JR, LPD 29. The ship’s namesake is perhaps not as well known as other Medal of Honor awardees, and the release noted that McCool received the honor, quote, “for the heroism he displayed after his ship was attacked by kamikaze aircraft in the Battle of Okinawa.” What ship, you might ask? The release doesn’t say. Nor, for that matter, do several other press releases regarding the new ship.
I suppose one reason McCool’s command doesn’t get mentioned as much is that it was only given a number, not a real name. LCS(L)(3)-122 was a Landing Craft Support, Large, a heavily-armed vessel intended to head right in to the beach during an opposed amphibious assault to provide close-in artillery support. They were known as Mighty Mites. I’ve always been fond of them, as my father was assigned to USS LCS(L)(3)-69 in 1945 and was preparing to support the impending invasion of Japan when the war ended. But I guess for some people just some letters and numbers don’t really make the grade as a ship name.
But ship names have great significance. They’re meant to convey messages not only to their crews but to anyone else. I’m like a lot of people when I feel the name should, on at least some level, be inspiring.
This week Navy Secretary Del Toro announced three more ship names and, while none of them are awful, they’re not particular inspiring either. Among the names I find less than inspiring are politically-inspired names, particularly of currently living or only recently-deceased people. I wish we could go back to the practices of not long ago, when it was truly exceptional – as in EXCEPTIONAL – to name a ship after a still-living person. Arleigh Burke, for example, comes to mind, as do a handful of others. In general, however, I think it was a good practice to avoid it.
As noted above, two new destroyers will bear the names of Richard J. Danzig, a former Navy secretary, and Michael Mullen, a former chief of naval operations. Both are still living and – and in this absolutely mean no disrespect – neither were really that exceptional at the job. Danzig was a very effective Under Secretary of the Navy for about seven years and was only in the top job for about a year. Mullen was CNO for only about 2 years before being tapped to become chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and his term as CNO was not particularly remarkable.
Del Toro also announced a new frigate would be named HAMILTON — not a name crying out for perpetuation. There is, after all, a relatively new Coast Guard National Security Cutter by that name. The Constellation-class frigates, so far, are adhering to a theme more or less centered around the earliest days of the U.S Navy. Maybe BON HOMME RICHARD, John Paul Jones’ most famous ship during the Revolutionary War, might have been appropriate.
Heck, for the frigates, there are any number of classic Navy ship names from the period not being used now. And while those names formerly graced far more impressive ships than a frigate, I wouldn’t be upset if SARATOGA, RANGER, LEXINGTON, FRANKLIN and a host of others would once again be used for a United States Ship.
And when it comes to destroyers, there is almost no end to the list of truly inspiring candidates. There are great ship names which should be perpetuated. Names like SAMUEL B ROBERTS and LAFFEY, FLETCHER and RADFORD, NICHOLAS and AARON WARD. There are legions of suitable Navy and Marine Corps heroes to choose from – the vast majority having never been honored.
For recent history, why stop at Medal of Honor recipients. Why not any of the 23 Sailors and Marines awarded the Navy Cross for valor in the War on Terror – most of them for heroic actions during combat?
On May 23 the Navy announced the discovery of the wreck of USS HARDER, one of the most famous submarines of World War II. The submarine was sunk in August 1944 after compiling one of the most impressive records of any American submarine. HARDER sank with her entire crew, including the only captain she ever had, Commander Samuel Dealey. For his wartime service, Dealey was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor after earlier being awarded the Navy Cross and three Gold Stars. A destroyer escort, USS DEALEY, was in service from 1954 to 1972, but nothing since. What a shame a new destroyer isn’t bearing the truly inspiring name of Dealey, with a motto of Hit ‘Em Again, Harder!
