Welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Here’s the news for the day.



On Display Feature - USS Hornet CV8

The second installment of his series on the famed four stacker destroyers from both World Wars, crew-mate Karl Zingheim (Captsonghouse) shares another fantastic Naval History diorama in this MSW feature.

Hell Off Lunga Point




German Shippers Reject British Plan for Private Anti-Piracy Battleships
Source: Deutsche Welle German radio

The organization that represents a majority of German shipping interests has talked down a British proposal to set up a multi-million-euro private fleet to combat piracy off the Horn of Africa.

German shippers have expressed doubts about a proposal by their British counterparts and cargo insurers to set up a private force of speed boats to combat piracy off the coast of Somalia.

A spokesman for the German Shipowners Association (VDR), Max Johns, said such a move was not legislated by international law.

"We don't believe it would be a clever move to send out private armies on the open sea," said Johns. "In any case, we don't believe any such action would be covered by international sea law."

The British plan calls for 20 armed and privately financed speedboats to patrol the waters off the Horn of Africa at a cost of 12 million euros ($16.5 million) a year. Shipowners are currently losing about 115 million euros annually due to piracy.

But Johns said a privately financed fleet consisting of combat-ready ships could set a dangerous precedent. "Who knows who might also go out and buy themselves such a fleet," he said.

The British proposal comes after a German cargo ship was seized off the coast of eastern Africa earlier this week. The vessel was later released safely after the pirates were unable to move the captured ship.

The European Union says pirates are currently holding about 20 ships for ransom off the coast of Africa.


Technology Transfer Key to BAE Systems’ Proposal to the Brazilian Navy
Source: BAE Systems

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil --- BAE Systems has today submitted a detailed proposal to the Brazilian Navy to supply a package of naval vessels to meet its ambitious fleet renewal program through a full technology transfer agreement, with the ships to be built in Brazil.

The proposal comes on the back of the recent Defense Cooperation Agreement between the UK and Brazilian Governments and marks the latest step in a move towards greater bilateral trade between the two countries. Based on BAE Systems’ proven ship designs, it includes the provision of five ocean patrol vessels, one logistics support vessel and five escort vessels as well as a comprehensive logistics support service.

Importantly, the proposal also sets out arrangements for the UK Government-endorsed opportunity of Brazilian partnership in the design and development of the new highly flexible, multi-role Global Combat Ship.

Alan Johnston, Managing Director of BAE Systems’ Surface Ships division, said: “We believe that this strategic partnership approach, combined with our proven ship designs, will bring strength to Brazilian industry and give the Brazilian Navy confidence in our ability to deliver an effective, affordable solution to meet its future naval capability requirements.”

BAE Systems has a long track record of working with the Brazilian Navy and its involvement can be traced back to Brazil’s Niteroi Class frigates supplied by the Company’s legacy business VT Shipbuilding in the 1970s. The latest proposal builds on this legacy and is designed to meet the objectives set out in Brazil’s National Strategy of Defense to enhance its indigenous industrial capability by enabling the country to develop an independent, sustainable naval shipbuilding and through-life maritime support capability.

“We are in discussions regarding the naval proposal with a number of potential industry partners in Brazil, including shipyards and combat systems developers,” added Johnston. “We are actively working to formalize these agreements and will provide further details in due course.”



The BAE Systems 90 meter Ocean Patrol Vessel included in the proposal is based on the proven River Class vessels in use with the UK Royal Navy. It uses the same core platform as the vessel being built by Bangkok Dock in Thailand under a similar technology transfer agreement, with systems and equipment tailored to the Brazilian Navy’s requirements. In addition, the Company has proposed a variant of the UK Royal Navy Wave Class fleet tanker, tailored to meet the specific aviation, stores and personnel requirements of the Brazilian Navy.



The new generation Global Combat Ship is being developed to be affordable and easily adaptable to the fast changing demands of modern defense. Entering into the Global Combat Ship partnership will enable the UK and Brazil to bring these highly capable ships into service, whilst bringing down costs through a rationalized design, build and procurement process and shared maintenance and support operations. It also provides Brazil with the opportunity to influence the design and access to UK Royal Navy standard training for its naval personnel.




USS Wake Island (CVE 65)

Today’s website is USS Wake Island (CVE 65). Enjoy.


This Day in U.S. Naval History

1775 - Commodore Esek Hopkins appointed as commander in chief of the Continental Navy.
1915 - In AB-2 flying boat, Lt. Cmdr. Henry C. Mustin makes first underway catapult launch from a ship, USS North Carolina, at Pensacola Bay, Fla.
1917 - German submarine torpedoes USS Alcedo off French coast.
1923 - Tests designed to prove the feasibility of launching a small seaplane from a submarine occur at Hampton Roads Naval Base. A Martin MS-1, stored disassembled in a tank on board USS S-1, was removed and assembled. Then the submarine submerged allowing the plane to float free and take off.
1944 - TF 38 (Vice Adm. John S. McCain) begins two days of carrier strikes on Luzon, Philippines.
1945 - Ensign Jake C. West (VF 41) makes first jet landing on board a carrier, USS Wake Island (CVE 65).


Photo of the Day



FNS Dupleix (D 641) (front) and USS Preble (DDG 88) steam along side one another during a photo exercise with the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) and the French nuclear-powered aircraft carrier FNS Charles de Gaulle (R 91).

Gator