Messages

31

Site related news, functions and modules / Surface Combattants

« on: March 01, 2017, 12:53:56 PM »

I don't know if this is the proper place for this...  if not please move.

I notice that the categories of "cruiser" versus "destroyer" versus "frigate" versus "corvette" can be confusing sometimes.  Especially so because you really have to go by what the individual navy is calling her and there is no international adhered to standards for this.

So, would it better to classify them all as "surface combatants" and if needed, break them down by tonnage say -
"over 10000", "7500-9999", etc. with maybe the exception of the categories of "gun cruiser", etc for pre missile age ships?

What is everyones thoughts?

Good idea or have I bumped my head?

32

Trip reports / Re: My Trip Reports - Steven Collingwood

« on: February 21, 2017, 03:53:50 PM »

To please the Evil Overload Space Chickens I spent part of Sunday 02-19 and Monday 02-20 taking pictures at Fort Monroe Hampton VA.

Ships seen include-
AOM Julia, Atlantic Conveyor, Clover Ace, Corato, COSCO Guangzhou, Delphinus, E.R. Texas, Glen Edwards, Komi, Northern Justic, Tarago, USCGC Escanaba, USCGC Tampa, USNS Comfort, USNS William McLean, USS Bataan, USS Mitscher, USS Nitze, Xin Mei Zhou, and ZIM Tarragona

Hope everyone is good!!!

33

Trip reports / Re: My Trip Reports - Steven Collingwood

« on: February 13, 2017, 03:24:44 PM »

Spent Feb 12th in Southport and Wilmington NC.  Southport is near the ocean entrance of the Cape Fear River that leads to Wilmington NC.  I live in Greenville NC, and Norfolk VA is actually just about the same distance as Wilmington NC is from me.

Ships seen include-
6003 (Barge), Cape Fear Pilot II, Cape Hatteras, Elizabeth Ann, Mark Moran, MSC Rochelle, Nordic Ruth, PRT Ace, Rothorn, Star Isfjord, USCGC Diligence, USS North Carolina (BB 55)

I also hope to post another shipspotting.com location.

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Trip reports / Re: My Trip Reports - Steven Collingwood

« on: February 05, 2017, 02:02:32 PM »

Spent the Friday (2/3) 10am-5pm and Saturday (2/4) 7:30am-5pm at Fort Monroe Hampton VA.

Ships seen include-
Anatasia, Balsa 92, Capt Jeff, Capt. Johnny, Eva Marie, Ever Learned, Frank & Maria, Ivory Coast with Columbia Freedom, Gold Coast, Gopher State being towed by G.M. McAllister-Patrice McAllister-Steven McAllister, Gram-Me, Island Pilot, Langley Douglas, Monte Tamaro, MSC Lausanne, MSC Michaela, Nikki Jo C, Niledutch Osprey, Paradise Creek, Schuylkill, Stellaprima, Triton Hawk, USCGC Nantucket, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, and USS Vella Gulf.

Will be posting some of these pictures soon.  I hope this pleases the Evil Overlord Space Chickens!!!

 

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Trip reports / Re: My Trip Reports - Steven Collingwood

« on: February 02, 2017, 01:29:14 PM »

I understand and will comply

36

Trip reports / Re: My Trip Reports - Steven Collingwood

« on: January 31, 2017, 12:42:39 PM »

Thanks for all the comments.

I do spend a lot of time at the Fort, it is very enjoyable, though it is about a 2.5 hour drive from my house.  Luckily I enjoy driving.

Spent the day from about 10am to 5pm o the 29th (Sunday) at the Fort.  Ships seen and photographed include-

Atlantic (Barge dredge towed by Miss Gill), Balsa 92, Century Melody, Island Lookout, Maersk Memphis, Miss Gill, MSC Erminia, Paradise Creek (tug), Pontovremon, Rays, Robusto, Tonsberg, US Navy Police Boat 3, a USAF Police Boat, and ZIM Ontario.

No chickens were seen, but lots of Sea Gulls!!!

37

Trip reports / Re: My Trip Reports - Steven Collingwood

« on: January 30, 2017, 09:13:11 PM »

Spent the day at Fort Monroe Hampton VA on January 29th 2017, ships seen include-

Atlantic (dredging barge towed by Miss Gill), Balsa 92, Century Melody, Island Lookout, Maersk Memphis, Miss Gill (towing dredging barge Atlantic), MSC Erminia, Paradise Creek (tug), Pontovermon, Rays, Robusto, Tonsberg, US Navy Police Boat 3, USAF Police Boat, and ZIM Ontario

Thankfully, there were no chicken attacks today.

38

Trip reports / Re: My Trip Reports - Steven Collingwood

« on: January 28, 2017, 09:44:23 PM »

The chickens are our friends..
They are telling me to say that

39

Trip reports / Re: My Trip Reports - Steven Collingwood

« on: January 28, 2017, 03:47:49 PM »

Thanks All!!!

40

Trip reports / Re: My Trip Reports - Steven Collingwood

« on: January 27, 2017, 02:15:37 PM »

January 25th 2017-

Spent the day at Fort Monroe Hampton VA from 9:30am or so till dusk.  Took pictures of the Bunny C, Caroline Oldendorff, Columbia Freedom, Double Skin 507, Evelyn Doris, H.A. Sklenar, Houston Bridge, Ivory Coast, Long Island, Serenity Ace, Southern Belle, USACOE Harrell, USCGC Harriett Lane, USCGC Frank Drew, USCGC James Rankin, USCGC Sea Horse, USNS Medgar Evers, Welfine, Wendy Moran, ZIM Qingdao and ZIM San Francisco.

It was then that I to fight off an invasion of the evil Space Overload Chickens!!!  Just Kidding, just seeing if anyone reads my post!!!

 

41

Trip reports / Re: My Trip Reports - Steven Collingwood

« on: January 27, 2017, 02:09:38 PM »

January 21st 2017

Went to Fort Monroe Hampton VA in attempt to watch the deployment of the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) battle group on a planned 6 to 7 month deployment.  Unfortunately extreme fog conditions prevented this.

 

42

Trip reports / Re: My Trip Reports - Steven Collingwood

« on: January 16, 2017, 03:19:32 PM »

Jan 15th 2016-
Went to Morehead City NC today.  Ships seen include-
Eye of the Storm, Grace Moran, IVS Shikra, Miss Makenzie, PAC Shaula, Peter G. Turecamo, Rough Point, Royal Engineer, and USCG 29208

43

Trip reports / Re: My Trip Reports - Steven Collingwood

« on: January 14, 2017, 04:09:07 PM »

Jan 11th, 12th, and 13th-
Spent Time in Hampton Virginia at Fort Monroe.  Took pictures of ships going in and out of the Hampton Roads/Norfolk area.
Ships Seen include-
ASC 300, Atlantic Cartier, Bayou Dawn, Blue Western, Bunny C, Capt Dale, CMA CGM Musset, Diamond Coast, Columbia Houston, COSCO Beijing, Hampton Police, Heroic Ace, Hyundai Pluto, Island Express, Island Pilot, Ivory Coast, Karen Moran, Maersk Kinloss, Maersk Sydney, Merrimac, Milton W., MOL Marix, MSC Alessia, MSC Esthi, Nagoya Express, Nikki Jo C, NYK Romulus, Paradise Creek, Petalon, Seajoy, Schuylkill, Southern Star, Stadion II, USNS Gilliland, USNS Joshua Humphreys, and USNS Medgar Evers

44

Trip reports / My Trip Reports - Steven Collingwood

« on: January 14, 2017, 04:07:50 PM »

I will use this topic to list my Ship Spotting Trips.  If you don't want me to do this, please say so.  I will not always post pictures of all the ships I see due to the quality not always be up to standards.  Thanks.
 

45

Trip reports / Re: Trip Reports - What Trip Reports?

« on: January 02, 2017, 01:40:20 PM »

As you can see, I go to the following often-

Fort Monroe Hampton VA - this is a deactivated US Army Coastal Defense fort north of Norfolk VA.  All the seagoing traffic going into the Norfolk-Portsmouth-Newport News area go past it.  It is free to the public (it is now a combination city/state/national park).  Ample free parking is at the public beach access.

Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, Thimble Shoals Tunnel Rest Stop, Virginia Beach VA - this is the only public rest stop on the combination bridge/tunnel across the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay.  This rest stop will be closing for a number of years in October 2017 as a parallel series of tunnels is built.  You do have to pay normal tolls (currently $15 per car) to get on the bridge.

Morehead City, NC - This is a small NC State Port in eastern NC.  Large ship traffic is light, but their is a fair amount of yacht and fishing vessel traffic.  It also is one of the main ports used by the military when shipping out east coast marines (though I have yet to be able to get pictures of that yet).  I usually take pictures at either at Fort Macon State Park in Atlantic Beach - ample parking, free.  Go to the fort parking lot and across from the main fort is a beach overlook with a covered platform that is nice.  Also on US Hwy 70 between Morehead City and Beaufort, there is a NC wildlife landing that you can take some pictures if there is anything there.  It is also public/free.

Wilmington, NC - The largest of the NC State Port system.  Still, small by international standards.  You can pay to park in downtown Wilmington and take one of a number of very nice pay tour boats.  Also, approximately one hour past Wilmington, is Southport NC where the mouth of the Cape Fear River is.  This is where all the ocean going traffic first comes inland to go to Wilmington.  There is some free parking along the town waterfront/boardwalk.  Be aware it can be crowded during busy times and was damaged and will need some repairs after Hurricane Matthew.  This might limit access.

I am thinking of later in the year of taking a road trip to Florida and trying to hit Cape Canaveral, Key West, and the Tampa area.