www.ussbelknap.com/

On 22 November 1975, USS Belknap (CG-26) collided with the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) forty miles from the southern coast of Italy.  During the impact, the overhanging section of Kennedy’s flight deck sheared off all structures above the 04 level, including both macks, completely disabling Belknap’s propulsion plant.  While the vessels were still in contact, Kennedy’s jet aircraft fueling system was damaged and a large volume of fuel was pumped onto the cruiser’s wreckage.  The fuel vapor ignited in a tower of flame, causing a massive explosion in Fire Room 2, and filling the ship’s passageways and many of her compartments with dense smoke.   Six of the crew were killed within moments of the impact.  A seventh died later of severe burns.

After being driven from the interior of the ship by smoke, Belknap’s crew rallied on the fo’c’sle and fantail, attacking the fires from fore and aft.  USS Claude V. Ricketts (DDG-5) maneuvered alongside and fought fires with twenty-one hose teams along her rails in spite of flying shrapnel from exploding ammunition.   USS Bordelon (DD-881) came alongside through heavy smoke to extinguish fires on Belknap’s port side.

Approximately forty-five men were evacuated from the fantail by motor whaleboat through five-foot seas to other ships.  Eighteen were evacuated from the fo’c’sle to Ricketts, which moored to Belknap’s hulk to perform the transfer, sustaining structural damage during the operation.

The following morning, Bordelon towed Belknap to Augusta Bay, Sicily, where the initial survey of Belknap’s damage was performed, and then to Naples, Italy, towed by USS Hoist (ARS-40), to be decommissioned and make final preparations for the tow home.  The majority of Belknap’s crew flew home from Naples, leaving twelve men behind to augment Hoist’s crew during the Atlantic crossing.  Belknap’s “orphans” arrived safely home in January 1976.

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So Ted Kennedy's car and the U.S.S. John F. Kennedy have both killed more people than any of my "Assault Weapons".

Where are these 2 ships right now?

Thanks,

Merlin

Where are these 2 ships right now?

"On September 24, 1998, she was sunk as target."

www.ussbelknap.com/His/index.html

The JFK is still in commission out of Norfolk.

www.navy.mil/homepages/cv67/home.html

Figures. The Kennedy is still in business and the victim is under water....