[Pete04222]

Just got back home from my new ship. I love it. What a great ship and it's got a great crew. A real professional bunch of guys and gals.

I have to go to a class for this coming week, then I'll get 2 weeks off and then I'll be on a regular 3 weeks on - 3 weeks off rotation.

Life is good.

[stile - alpine]

great that it´s as good as you expected!!

=)

[Basosz]

Now we only need Pete to dress up like Kirk or Picard and get a picture of him on the site.

I hate you Pete... The Big-E was supposed to be MY ship. Not yours !!!

[Dj Dirk]

Yawsa Pete

nice new toy you got there, so are you gonna drive that one over to Europe

[Boxer]

Pete, Very impressive. I can remember hating having to line up a 20 meter boat against a dock, that must be quite a challenge to pilot.

[Mikeltm]

Pete,

That is quite a boat, errr I guess that would be SHIP, large ship, at any rate good luck with your new endevor as I know you have worked hard to aquire your new toy. Just try not to crash it.

[jungathart]

Captain,
I think she's ready for warp 9.
Watch out for Romulans and Klingons.

[Andrew]

Pete,

I like the second photo. You can see the slight smile on your face that reads, "You know it, I drive this beast."

Basoz,

No disrespect to Pete's ship but this is the real Enterprise (I think it was actually named after the Star Trek ship, meaning this came after the TV show).

[Basosz]

Originally Posted by Enzo250GTO

Basoz,

No disrespect to Pete's ship but this is the real Enterprise (I think it was actually named after the Star Trek ship, meaning this came after the TV show).

I hate to break it to you (which is a lie... I love it) but there was an Enterprise carrier before the CVN-65. It served in just about all the major battles in the Pacific during WWII. Midway, Guadalcanal, the Battle of the Eastern Solomons and the Battle of Santa Cruz. From October 26th till December 5th 1942, she was the only US Carrier in the Pacific as the Lexington, Yorktown, Saratoga and Wasp were all damaged or destroyed. After the destruction of the Hornet, Enterprise was all alone for well over a month.

CVN-65 (Chekov: "And captain... it's the Enterprise...") was built by Newport News and laid down on Feb 4th 1958. She was launched on Sept 24th 1960 and finally commissioned on Nov 25th in the year 1961.

And that is only the Flattop Enterprises.

From Wikipedia:

"Eight ships in the United States Navy carried the name USS Enterprise.

* USS Enterprise (1775), the first ship to bear this name, was originally the uncommissioned British sloop George, captured by American forces in the American Revolutionary War in 1775. Rechristened Enterprise, she served as a sloop-of-war during the American Revolution.
* USS Enterprise (1776), the second ship to bear this name, was a successful privateer before she was purchased on 20 December 1776 for the Continental Navy. Commanded by Captain Joseph Campbell, the schooner Enterprise operated principally in Chesapeake Bay. She convoyed transports, carried out reconnaissance, and guarded the shores against foraging raids by the British. Only meager records of her service have been found; they indicate that she was apparently returned to the Maryland Council of Safety before the end of February 1777.
* USS Enterprise (1799), the third ship to bear this name, was a schooner built by Henry Spencer at Baltimore, Maryland, in 1799. She fired the first shots in the First Barbary War against the Tripolitain ship Tripoli.
* USS Enterprise (1831), the fourth ship to bear this name, was also a schooner, and commissioned in 1831.
* USS Enterprise (1874), the fifth ship to bear this name, was a screw 3sloop commissioned 1877.
* USS Enterprise (SP-790), the sixth ship to bear this name, was a motorboat, served in a noncommissioned status in the Second Naval District during World War I.
* USS Enterprise (CV-6), the seventh ship to bear this name, was an aircraft carrier, was the most-decorated U.S. Navy vessel of World War II.
* USS Enterprise (CVN-65), the eighth ship to bear this name, was the world's first nuclear aircraft carrier, launched in 1960 and still on active service as of 2006.
o This Enterprise is set to be decomissioned in 2013, and as a result there is a growing movement to name one of the CVN-21 class carriers (preferably CVN-78) Enterprise."


Now... Star Trek didn't appear till 1966. Maybe Roddenberry kept it in his head for a few years but the name for the Big-E is a lot older than Star Trek. It would not surprise me one bit if Roddenberry based the name of the 1701 on her illustrious predecessors of old.

However... Nasa did name their first Space Shuttle the Enterprise after they received about 300.000 letters from Star Trek fans from all over the world, telling the space-boys that there is but one proper name for a space shuttle. Too bad that the ship never left the atmosphere as it was a model for atmospheric testing on the back of that 747.

Well, I see I've babbled on a bit. Sorry about that. But just wanted to set the record straight Besides... it's the Enterprise... you can never know too much about her

[Pete04222]

Originally Posted by Boxer

Pete, Very impressive. I can remember hating having to line up a 20 meter boat against a dock, that must be quite a challenge to pilot.

Actually, with all the electronic positioning devices and computer controls it is quite easy. With the six 7,000hp fully-azimuthing thrusters (3 forward, 3 aft), you don't even need tugboats. Maneuvering is done with a 3-axis joystick. To bring it into the dock, you would line up the ship on the same heading as the dock and press the "yaw" button and the computer will take over control of heading. When you have the ship lined up where you want it press "surge" and the computer will take over control of the fore-and-aft motion of the ship. Joystick sideways and bring 'er in. Of course at any time if you feel that things aren't going exactly as planned you can press "present position" and the computers will take over all 3 axis of movement and hold the ship stationary while you re-evaluate the situation.

And I like all of Basoz's research on the American ships named "Enterprise". I looked on Wikipedia also and found the first ship to be named as such was the HMS Enterprise in 1705. It was originally the 24 gun French frigate L'Enterprise before it was captured by the British and re-named.

[FerrariKiller]

What an extraordinary ship! You are lucky

[Pete04222]

Originally Posted by Basosz

I hate you Pete... The Big-E was supposed to be MY ship. Not yours !!!

Funny you say that. Not about the I hate you part, I already knew that. In my company the Discoverer Enterprise is refered to as "The Big-E".

When it was built in 1999 it was the largest offshore drilling rig in the world. It now shares that title with 2 sister ships, the Discoverer Spirit and the Discoverer Deep Seas. My company just recently announced that they are building a 4th Enterprise-Class drillship, the Discoverer Clear Leader; due to be out in 2008.

Still, it is good to be the Captain of the Enterprise. I'm going to order my business cards next time out. What a great thing to pass around in bars. "What do you do?" "I'm the Captain of the Enterprise." "Yeah right." "Here's my card."

PM me your mailing address and I'll send you one. (just to rub it in).

[Basosz]

Originally Posted by Pete04222

And I like all of Basoz's research on the American ships named "Enterprise". I looked on Wikipedia also and found the first ship to be named as such was the HMS Enterprise in 1705. It was originally the 24 gun French frigate L'Enterprise before it was captured by the British and re-named.

French ships called L'Enterprise don't count. Certainly not if it's renamed. I heard somewhere that it's considered bad luck if you do that.

[Basosz]

Originally Posted by Pete04222

Funny you say that. Not about the I hate you part, I already knew that. In my company the Discoverer Enterprise is refered to as "The Big-E".

I believe that both flattop Enterprise were called the Big-E. I'm absolutely positive that they call the CVN-65 that anyway.

Originally Posted by Pete04222

Still, it is good to be the Captain of the Enterprise. I'm going to order my business cards next time out. What a great thing to pass around in bars. "What do you do?" "I'm the Captain of the Enterprise." "Yeah right." "Here's my card."

Bar dude: "And I'm sure you're from outer space as well?"
Pete: "No... I'm from Maine... I only work in outer space"

[Pete04222]

Originally Posted by Basosz

French ships called L'Enterprise don't count. Certainly not if it's renamed. I heard somewhere that it's considered bad luck if you do that.

Yeah, the ship was captured by the British in 1705 and re-named Enterprise. She served the Crown until 1707. As far as its earlier history as L'Entrerprise there doesn't seem to be a lot of info out there. Perhaps Roddenberry found out the original ship was built in 1701 and hence became the number of the Constitution-class Heavy Cruiser? That's something to ponder.

As for the re-naming, it IS considered bad luck unless certain rituals are followed in the process. You see, King Neptune keeps a record of all ships sailing His seas, if you re-name it He will not recognize the vessel and won't give it His protection. A ship needs Neptune's permission to sail on the open waters.

To re-name, you must first obliterate all records of the ship's original name, some will even sail it backwards to "erase" the old name then apply the new one. The ship must then be re-christened with a ceremony letting Neptune know the vessel will no longer sail His seas under the previous name and asking Him to recognize the vessel under the new name.

The proper de-naming cermony would be:
"In the name of all who have sailed aboard this ship in the past, and in the name of all who may sail aboard her in the future, we invoke the ancient gods of the wind and the sea to favor us with their blessing today.
Mighty Neptune, king of all that moves in or on the waves; and mighty Aeolus, guardian of the winds and all that blows before them:
We offer you our thanks for the protection you have afforded this vessel in the past. We voice our gratitude that she has always found shelter from tempest and storm and enjoyed safe passage to port.
Now, wherefore, we submit this supplication, that the name whereby this vessel has hitherto been known (_____), be struck and removed from your records.
Further, we ask that when she is again presented for blessing with another name, she shall be recognized and shall be accorded once again the selfsame privileges she previously enjoyed.
In return for which, we rededicate this vessel to your domain in full knowledge that she shall be subject as always to the immutable laws of the gods of the wind and the sea.
In consequence whereof, and in good faith, we seal this pact with a libation offered according to the hallowed ritual of the sea."

The libation is the traditional bottle broken over the bow. (That's a little dramatic though, it's ok if you open the bottle and pour it over the bow.) Some for the ship, some for the sea. (plenty extra for the crew.) Once she is de-named she may be re-named with a simple "I name this ship ___________ and may she bring fair winds and good fortune to all who sail on her." Properly done, King Neptune will then add this ship to His ledger.

You have to know this shit when you're a Captain.

[Basosz]

Hey Pete, is it true that it's considered bad luck when the bottle doesn't break on the first attempt? Well... it's considered that anyway but why?

Following your story it wouldn't mean much if it didn't break at all. They could just open the damn bottle and pour it over the bow instead. Might be nice for those unbreakable bottles.

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by Pete04222

Actually, with all the electronic positioning devices and computer controls it is quite easy. With the six 7,000hp fully-azimuthing thrusters (3 forward, 3 aft), you don't even need tugboats. Maneuvering is done with a 3-axis joystick. To bring it into the dock, you would line up the ship on the same heading as the dock and press the "yaw" button and the computer will take over control of heading. When you have the ship lined up where you want it press "surge" and the computer will take over control of the fore-and-aft motion of the ship. Joystick sideways and bring 'er in. Of course at any time if you feel that things aren't going exactly as planned you can press "present position" and the computers will take over all 3 axis of movement and hold the ship stationary while you re-evaluate the situation.
.

This sounds infinitely easier than my trying to steer with one hand on the wheel and one on the throttle with my head stuck out the cabin door to try and see where exactly we were being pushed by the current.

[Pete04222]

Originally Posted by Basosz

Hey Pete, is it true that it's considered bad luck when the bottle doesn't break on the first attempt? Well... it's considered that anyway but why?

Following your story it wouldn't mean much if it didn't break at all. They could just open the damn bottle and pour it over the bow instead. Might be nice for those unbreakable bottles.

In ancient times, prior to a long voyage wine was poured over the deck as a libation to the gods to ensure a safe passage. We are talking about way back before glass when the wine was poured out of a goat skin. I don't know how the smashing of the bottle became the custom, I guess to add drama to the event. It is considered a bad omen if the bottle doesn't break because your offering (and the ship) is NOT accepted.

I can see it though. If you are offering me a libation I'd much rather you just pour me some rather than heaving the whole unopened bottle at me.

[Basosz]

Originally Posted by Pete04222

I can see it though. If you are offering me a libation I'd much rather you just pour me some rather than heaving the whole unopened bottle at me.

Exactly THAT... "I hereby wish you a safe voyage"

and then you're ducking to avoid the damn bottle. I can see why that would slightly suck !!

[Bart]

Well, now because of you, my son is on the course of being a captain of an Enterprize.


Thanks.