Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

General Discussion

Cooley Hurd

(26,877 posts)

9. The ping pong ball myth originated years ago...

Reply to jakeXT (Reply #7)

Sat Jan 14, 2012, 07:30 AM

Jan 2012

When the USS Lafayette (formerly SS Normandie) caught fire and capsized at Pier 88 in NYC back in '42, one idea was to fill the hull with ping pong balls to right her. Ultimately, they cut off her entire superstructure, plugged every single hole (porthole, doors, ducts, etc) and, with the combination of the tide, cranes mounted on Pier 88 and the Normandie's inherent stability (the last being the most important factor in righting the ship), they we able to get her upright, but she was deemed a total loss and scrapped anyway.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

30 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Latest webcam shot of the Costa Concordia on her side in Giglio Harbor [View all] Cooley Hurd Jan 2012 OP

They'll need more than breakdown truck to get that upright dipsydoodle Jan 2012 #1

I'd be surprised if it's not a total loss and possibly requiring... Cooley Hurd Jan 2012 #2

Without a tide to help dipsydoodle Jan 2012 #3

That gash would wipe out the world-wide Bondo supply! Cooley Hurd Jan 2012 #4

Ha! I know a body shop in L.A. County with enough Bondo to fix that... cherokeeprogressive Jan 2012 #22

Close the hole and pump the water out? /nt jakeXT Jan 2012 #5

Not economically feasable at this point... Cooley Hurd Jan 2012 #6

I wonder if you could put inflatable objects inside jakeXT Jan 2012 #7

Or bring floating cranes muriel_volestrangler Jan 2012 #8

If it were a smaller ship, that would be a possibility... Cooley Hurd Jan 2012 #10

The ping pong ball myth originated years ago... Cooley Hurd Jan 2012 #9

People still missing malaise Jan 2012 #11

shit---just call Mater... trumad Jan 2012 #12

That was one hell of a collision to leave that big a hole JCMach1 Jan 2012 #13

Wow!!!!!!!! Esse Quam Videri Jan 2012 #14

They had electric problems, maybe there was no power for sonar or gps? jakeXT Jan 2012 #19

That ought to buff right out. bluedigger Jan 2012 #15

Sad and hopefully it is only the 3 known dead, too manybut could have been worse, whistler162 Jan 2012 #16

That is a great story. Here is some more information on it.... xocet Jan 2012 #20

Given the huge gouge in her hull under the waterline, and given the extensive water damage inside... backscatter712 Jan 2012 #17

If the only gash is on her port side I think they will get her righted. Esse Quam Videri Jan 2012 #18

I find it strange.. EX500rider Jan 2012 #21

2 very good questions! Cooley Hurd Jan 2012 #23

either floating sideways or a turn on the spot jakeXT Jan 2012 #28

Gigolo harbor! JVS Jan 2012 #24

Post removed Post removed Jan 2012 #26

Wow! Here's a closer shot.... tosh Jan 2012 #25

...It broke rocks off the bottom and carried them along??? Robb Jan 2012 #27

Just ballparking the size of that embedded boulder, about 200-300 tons. Iterate Jan 2012 #30

Meh LadyHawkAZ Jan 2012 #29