Newport News, VA: Newport News Shipyard

(Satellite)

Screenshot
Early last month, USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) arrived at Newport News Shipbuilding for her Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH). Watch more below [above]!
[The foreground is the carrier's deck cluttered up with "moving day" stuff.]

The top drydock in this image is the one they used.

Satellite

The Warshipologist posted
A rare aerial photo of the launch of the Yorktown (CV-5) from Shipway #8 at Newport News Shipyard on April 4, 1936. Sister ship, Enterprise (CV-6) is still under construction on Shipway #9. The water at the top of the picture was filled in when the yard was expanded during the Second World War.

Scott Opdyke: The fill in started shortly after this picture . Dry docks 10 and 11 entered service before the US entered WWII.

USS John C. Stennis came from Naval Station Norfolk so it basically just went across the James River.

Since the coal dock south of here is served by CSX/C&O, that would be the railroad that also serves this facility.

"Newport News Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of Huntington Ingalls Industries, employs roughly 26,000 workers, according to a company fact sheet. The company designs, builds and refuels nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and designs and builds nuclear-powered submarines." [apnews] The comment about submarines surprised me. I read just today that Electric Boat was the only company building our subs. And that was my understanding.

The company laid off 314 salaried employees and reduced the level of 120 managers. No one in the United Steelworkers Local 8888 was affected. [apnews]

The Warshipologist posted two photos with the comment: "Enterprise (CV-6) two days before her launch at Newport News, VA on October 1, 1936. The Yorktown, occupying Shipway 8 in the foreground, had been launched seven months previously on April 4, 1936."

1

2

 

Military News posted

USS Yorktown (CV-5) and Enterprise (CV-6) under construction at Newport News Shipbuilding, 1936.

https://artofthebead.com/uss-yorktown-cv-5-a-stunning.../...

The Warshipologist posted

Enterprise (CV-6) and Yorktown (CV-5) on Shipways 9 and 8 respectively at Newport News, Virginia on December 8, 1934. Photo taken by a USS Ranger (CV-4) plane.

Photo: National Archives 19-LC-Box24

MilitaryPhotoDepot posted
USS Forrestal (CVA-59) ) Fitting out at Newport News, Virginia, circa December 1954./NHHC

The Warshipologist posted

AMERICA AMERICA

USS America (CVA-66) fitting out at Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, Virginia (USA), circa 1964. Docked opposite USS America is the United States Lines passenger liner SS America.

MilitaryPhotoDepot posted
(7/15/1995) An oblique port bow view of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN-74) fitting out at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Corporation. The deck plating is being installed on the flight deck. Camera Operator: Robert J. Sitar
George Campbell: That's a picture of it at Pier 2, all the deck plating and structure was installed in Dry Dock 12. This is a picture of them putting the non skid on the flight deck

Military Powerful posted
The decommissioned aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN-65) at Newport News Shipbuilding, Virginia (USA), on 15 July 2018. USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) is pushed by tugboats in the background as the ship entered the shipyard to begin its post shakedown availability.

HuntingtonIngalls-newsroom
Aerial view of HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding division, taken in October 2018. Newport News is one of two U.S. shipyards capable of designing and building nuclear-powered submarines, and is the design agent and hull planning yard for the Los Angeles-class and Seawolf-class attack submarines. Photo by Ashley Cowan/HII

I wish they offered a higher resolution version of this photo because it shows two aircraft carriers being worked on.

HuntingtonIngalls-careers

HuntingtonIngalls-nns
We are teaming with Electric Boat to build the nest generation of SSBN.

Columbia Class
"Building on the success of the Virginia-class submarine program, NNS and EB will build 12 Columbia-class submarines between 2021 and 2039 with EB as the prime contractor. NNS will participate in the design and will manufacture major Columbia-class assemblies and modules, including the bow, stern, auxiliary machinery room, superstructure and weapons modules."

HuntingtonIngalls-nns
Virginia-class submarine USS John Warner (SSN 785) on sea trials.

HuntingtonIngalls-nns
Ford Class Aircraft Carriers

John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) is the second Ford class carrier

TheFordClass-cvn-79

And the Enterprise (CFN 80) will the the third.

John C. Stennis is CVN 74.

Slide 5 via May 2021 Slide Show via Photos

It is a snug fit, and some of the cranes are not very useful because they can't get past the overhang. This is probably one of the reasons they have the big gantry crane.

Slide 17

And this is why the notch was added at the end of this drydock.

Slide 33

MilitaryPhotoDepot posted
The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) reached another construction milestone on 29 October 2019, as its dry dock area was flooded three months ahead of its slated production schedule, leading up to the christening of the second Ford-class aircraft carrier on 7 December 2019. The flooding of the dry dock followed other milestones, including the laying of the ship's keel on 22 August 2015, the placement of the 588-metric ton island superstructure on 29 May 2019, and the arrival of her crew on 1 October 2019. John F. Kennedy was constructed at Huntington Ingalls Industries-Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, Virginia (USA)U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Adam Ferrero

0:55 video @ 0:36
"Newport News shipbuilders are moving forward on the refueling and complex overhaul of USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Check out this time-lapse video of a 50-ton lift, which includes bulkhead and deck sections of the aft end of the aircraft carrier’s island. This is part of an effort to accommodate a much larger main mast."

15 photos of constructing the Virginia-class submarine Massachusetts (#SSN798)

2:19 video of quenching a casting for the rudder for aircraft carrier Doris Miller (#CVN81).

The Warshipologist posted

Huntington Ingalls Industries celebrated significant progress as the 555-metric ton island was lowered onto the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) at the company's Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division, on January 26, 2013.

The 60-foot long, 30-foot wide island was the 452nd lift of the nearly 500 total lifts needed to complete the aircraft carrier.

Photo and caption: navsource.org

Steve Hofer: 555 metric tons really isn’t that heavy.

Al Tamkus: the old Brooklyn Navy Yard, "hammer Head" crane could do that in one lift.

Frank Groth: Ray Saulnier she departed on her first "official" deployment 20 days ago and will be exercising with NATO. I still see no indication that she is truly combat capable.

Yes, carriers are complex machines and nuclear powered are more so. The USN, and Newport News, have built and commissioned 12 of them. They take about five years to construct and 18 to 24 months to bring up to fully operational. GRF took six years to build has taken more than six years to reach "first deployment". The "it's the lead ship with a lot of new tech" rubric is a little thin at this point. It becomes more unappealing when one considers that the ship GRF is replacing, ex USS Enterprise went out of commission 11 years ago. Fold into that the six year fiasco of USS George Washington's midlife refuel and complex overhaul and it puts the teething problems of GRF into an even harsher light.

Through the analysis prism of the Navy's recent experience with Littoral Combat Ships and the Zumwalt class destroyer programs, the idea of trying to cram so much technology in seems to be a failed methodology.

Randy Sutt: I was there in early 70's when that crane was built for the Nimitz and many ships to follow. It was originally suppose to be used for natural gas tankers. But when people saw they could explode if temperature got too high, they became out-of-vogue. But perfect for air craft carriers.

John Volkerding: Blast from the past as the Navy proved they could add to much new unproven technology in one new ship class. It took a long time but the Ford after so many set backs in finally on it first real deployment. Let’s hope when the Kennedy is complete in 2025 it has no issues and goes to sea in a time frame similar to the Nimitz class.

 

Marius E Vådahl commented on the above post

The Warshipologist posted

THE FORD ON BLOCKS

A Newport News Shipbuilding worker cleans the dry dock floor in front of the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) prior to the docks flooding on February 10, 2013. 

Photo by Chris Oxley, Newport News Shipbuilding

Dennis Comerford: Did a few dockings on warships, nothing this big though. It was always fun to sit and watch the dockyard workers chasing the fish around the bottom when only about 1ft of water was left. All good until they fronted a shark.
Pat Rodriguez: What are the blocks made of ,,, to hold and stand up to soo much weight ??
Bobby Callis: Pat Rodriguez concrete then oak and finally pine.

Katee Davis posted

Newest US Navy submarine USS South Dakota Inside the $2.6 billion nuclear-powered ship 

The USS South Dakota (SSN 790) is the newest Virginia-class submarine commissioned by the US Navy. The submarine was built at the Huntington Ingalls Industries' Newport News Shipbuilding facility in Virginia and is valued at $2.6 billion. Here are some key features and facts about the submarine:

Length: The USS South Dakota measures 377 feet (115 meters) in length, making it one of the largest submarines in the world.

Nuclear Power: The submarine is powered by a nuclear reactor, which provides a constant supply of electricity and propulsion.

Crew: The submarine has a crew of approximately 130 sailors, who live and work on the ship for extended periods.

Stealth: The USS South Dakota is designed to operate undetected, with a stealthy design and advanced sensors that allow it to detect and evade enemy submarines.

Speed: The submarine can reach speeds of over 25 knots (29 mph), making it one of the fastest submarines in the world.

Missiles: The USS South Dakota is equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles, which can be launched from the submarine to attack enemy targets.

Sensors: The submarine is equipped with advanced sensors, including a spherical sonar array and a bow-mounted sonar array, which allow it to detect and track enemy submarines.

Construction: The USS South Dakota took over 10 years to build, with construction beginning in 2009 and completion in 2019.

Overall, the USS South Dakota is a highly advanced and capable submarine that will play a key role in the US Navy's fleet for many years to come.

U.S. Naval Institute posted
#OTD [Dec 8] in 1944, the "Murderers' Row" of Third Fleet aircraft carriers were at anchor in Ulithi Atoll. From front to back: USS Wasp (CV-18), USS Yorktown (CV-10), USS Hornet (CV-12), USS Hancock (CV-19) and USS Ticonderoga (CV-14).
James Torgeson shared
As many group members know, Bethlehem Steel built the most ships during World War II. Amongst those vessels were six fleet carriers, two of which are shown here whilst they rest at the Ulithi Atoll fleet anchorage in 1944. The two are the USS Hancock (CV-19) and the USS Wasp (CV-18), which were built at the Bethlehem Fore River Yard in Quincy, MA. The other three were built by Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock in Newport News, VA.

The Warshipologist posted

Troop transport USS President Polk (AP-103) fitting out at Newport News, VA with USS Hornet (CV-8) to the right. The date given is November 6, 1941, but Hornet was commissioned on October 20, 1941 so I think this date is wrong.

Photo: LIFE (George Strock)

John O'Neil: at this point she was the passenger liner/cargo ship SS President Polk of the American Presidents Line (APL). She was commandeered by the War Shipping Administration just days before Pearl Harbor to be used as a contracted cargo transport for the Pacific. She made multiple runs to Hawaii, Australia, and Java carrying food, ammo, aircraft, equipment, and personnel. The Navy took her over in September 1943 for the duration of the war. She was returned to APL after the war. She returned to passenger/cargo duty until she was scrapped in 1970.

Adam Baum: What are the pillar structures (with ladders) for? On a cargo ship, I'd assume they would be for on/offloading cargo, but you don't use a crane or pulley to load troops.

Johnny Kins: Adam Baum she could carry both cargo and passengers

The Warshipologist posted

An interesting photograph of USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) under construction in Shipway #11 at Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Docking Company on June 11, 1960.

It's quite astounding that America's first nuclear-powered supercarrier had a build time of less than 4 years (Compared with France's first nuke: 12 years!). 

In today's money, the cost would have been about $4.7bn (Ford = $13bn).

In this shot, taken about 17 months before the commission and 28 months after the keel was laid, the ship has been built up to the flight deck level. The distinctive island structure has been placed on the centerline of the ship for assembly and will be moved by crane to its correct position at a later date.

The huge sponsons which increase the flight deck width to 257 feet are being assembled as subunits and then welded in place. You can see the huge openings to the hangar bay on the starboard side.

Photo from Navsource/Robert M. Cieri

Erie, PA: 1833-2019 Erie Coke Corporation, was Interlake Steel

(3D Satellite)

One of nine photos posted by Bubba Dubs
[The gasometer is a reminder that gas was an important byproduct of manufacturing coke.]
Hallie Strohmeyer: These sting a little, not gonna lie. I've been watching the progress from the ground, but seeing it all at once from overhead is an entirely different feeling. 😕 Thanks for sharing, Bubba Dubs!
As far as her history, there were some white hats who managed to capture a lot of photos in our last few months. My husband and I are in possession of probably 1200+ between the two of us. I have to agree that these old coke plants have to go once they're closed, as much as I hate to see them demolished. There's just too much risk to the environment and the cost to keep them from crumbling as they decay would be astronomical. Better to remember them as they were through photos and allow the land to be cleaned up, heal, and be reused for something else or be reclaimed by the ecosystem.

After years of fighting legal issues concerning air quality violations, it was not the state agency that bought the plant operations to a halt. It was Erie "cutting off Erie Coke's ability to discharge its wastewater through the city of Erie sewer system." The company could not afford the cost of trucking away their wastewater. 100 jobs were lost. [GoErie]

A 3D Satellite image caught it before the piles were removed and the demolition started.

3D Satellite

GoErie

They were pre-treating the water before they dumped it into the sewers. 

GoErie

Daniel Harmon posted seven photos with the comment: "Old photos of Interlake Steel, Erie Pa. Courtesy of my friend Jerry Skrypzak."

Jon Hart: The coke works here later became Erie Coke?

James Torgeson: Jon Hart Yes.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Bubba Dubs posted four photos with the comment:

Current and former pics of the high-line and blast furnace at the former Interlake Blast furnace plant in Erie Pa. This site later became Erie Coke Corp.

Thank you to Daniel Harmon for the old pics!

1

2, cropped

3, cropped

4

safe_image for The Long Life and Slow Death of Cokemaking in Erie, Pennsylvania

River Rouge, MI: 1956 840 MW DTE Power Plant Closes

(3D Satellite)

Francesca Scott posted
DTE River Rouge
Brennen Williams: Great picture. Sad that it closed last year [2021].

 

gem

Street View

Francesca Scott posted
DTE River Rouge being built.

Ken Borg posted
Detroit Edison Co. River Rouge Power Plant installing IP turbine on Unit 2 on Oct 03, 1977

Daniel Hauck posted two photos with the comment: "DTE Energy - River Rouge, MI  Power Plant    Closed down May 31, 2021."

1

2
[Zug Island in the middle of the photo and the Gordie Howe Bridge behind the island.]

safe_image for DTE officially closing River Rouge Power Plant Friday [June 4, 2021]

Mike LaDuke, Jul 2017

Michael Davis posted
Detroit Edison’s River Rouge Power Plant seen from the public park.
Justin Wilson: Is that near the steel mill?
David Chambers: Justin Wilson it's actually between zug island(pig iron manufacturing) and the main plant(basic oxygen furnace, steel rolling, gavanizer, etc) of what was rouge steel, but got bought out by us steel around 2004 ish.
Tim Stehle: Didn’t Ford have a (co)generation facility at their River Rouge plant as well?
David Chambers: Tim Stehle yes, it blew up in 1999. I worked on the replacement for it, CMS. It's across the street from where the old Ford boiler house was. The replacement has 2 hrsg, and three gas fired units that burn the waste gas off the steelmaking process.

Since at least the piles of coal will be disappearing, I saved a satellite image.

3D Satellite

3D Satellite

Craig Hensley Photography posted

Urban Decay. The DTE River Rouge power plant sits on a 100 acre plot of land right off the Detroit River in River Rouge, MI. Once a main source of power for the city with 3 active generating units, the plant was shuttered in 2021 as part of DTE’s transition to “green” energy. This was the main entrance for the railroad to drop coal off in the staging yard. A plant switcher would grab the cuts and shove them into the unloader where the coal would be piled for the plant to use. If you look closely through the fence you can actually see the switcher rotting away. 

River Rouge, MI - January 2025

Nolan Skip Raspbury LaFramboise II: One of many industries that made River Rouge ‘The City of Industry’, a tax wealthy community providing the best schools and city services. River Rouge: home to Detroit Edison, Great Lakes Steel, Fabricon Corporation, Lipsett Steel, Great Lakes Engineering Works, Whitehead & Kales, U.S. Gypsum, Hanna Blast Furnace, Lindsey Oxygen, Sun Oil, Marblehead Lime, multiple huge rail yards, among others encircling a residential community on about 20% of its land.

William Borg: Switcher is actually in good condition not long before plant shut down the engine was rebuilt at PSI last I heard it was for sale wanna buy it ? Lol

I don't like urban exploration videos, especially when they are illegal. So I quit watching at 4:07.

32:01 video @ 0:37 (source)

4 photos of the demolition

Brett Wanamaker shared 10 interior photos.

Cedar Falls, IA: Junction Tower: CN/IC vs. Iowa Northern/Rock Island and RI Depot

Tower: (Satellite)

RI Depot: (Satellite)

Michael O'Brien posted
John Cannon shared
[Someplace I saw a comment that pointed out the single-slip turnout.]

Dennis DeBruler commented on John's share

We are facing West and the train is on the IC tracks.

1963 Cedar Falls @ 1:24,000

Dennis DeBruler commented on John's share
I like photos that are old enough to show signaling pipelines that are still in use.
Digitally zoomed.

This is another example of railroads replacing a diamond with turnouts and a short section of shared track.

Satellite

William Brown posted
From the J Quinn Collection, on April 8, 1967 the Zephyr Rocket is arriving at the Cedar falls, Iowa Depot.  The Depot is a Bank today and looks much better.  The track is or will be removed as Cedar Falls Utilities will never burn Coal again.  The Zephyr Rocket ran between St Louis and Burlington, Iowa on the CB&Q.  It ran from Burlington to Minneapolis on the Rock Island.  It is lead by Rock Island 638, an E7A, built in in September 1946 ( Rock Island Locomotives).  It would be Retired and Traded to EMD in January of 1972.  The five Car Train has the normal Rock Island RPO first out.  The second car is a CB&Q Havelock Shop Baggage Car still in Pullman Green.  The third car is a Rock Island Rebuilt Heavyweight RPO.  I believe the car is on display at the Oklahoma Railway Museum in Oklahoma City.  No photographer noted.  Any help appreciated.

Street View, Jun 2021