Bonnehome Richard Fire

General maritime and engineering discussion occurs on this board. Feel free to post newsbits, comments, ask questions about maritime matters and post your opinions.
Post Reply
User avatar
JK
Enduring Contributor
Posts: 3066
Joined: Tue Sep 04, 2007 2:29 am
Currently located: East Coast, Canada
Contact:

Bonnehome Richard Fire

Post by JK »

I'm sure that anyone that is an admiral is clueless on heat affected steel and aluminum, never mind steel that water has been sprayed on for days.
The Bonhomme Richard, whose size ranks second in the U.S. Navy fleet to that of an aircraft carrier, sustained severe damage from the flames, leaving the ship listing to the starboard side, its superstructure collapsed and melted.

Sobeck said he believed the ship could be repaired and returned to duty but that the Navy had not yet decided whether to undertake the massive task.

https://gcaptain.com/firefighters-put-o ... e-unknown/

Can we list the ways this is problematic?
For steel:
250C, loss of the paint system'
350C loss of structural integrity and distortion
700C loss of metallurgical structure and properties
1400C melting point
Aluminum melts at about 600C which may be why the superstructure is compromised, Even if it didn't melt it can be permanently affected strength wise.
I've attached an old article from LR that I have saved, because a fire is something you may never have to deal with but when it does....
LR-What to do after of Shipyard Fire.pdf
(460.13 KiB) Downloaded 282 times
Post Reply