Livestream exploration of wreck of Akagi

[glenn239]

Had no idea anyone was exploring Akagi, but this happening today.  

https://nautiluslive.org/?fbclid=IwAR2Ph5omM5y3mU4qovPyk1Z91eYlKoHxh1aGglxGkbcCFXr2ywNNfXasZdE

[RETAC21]

3 hours ago, glenn239 said:

Had no idea anyone was exploring Akagi, but this happening today.  

https://nautiluslive.org/?fbclid=IwAR2Ph5omM5y3mU4qovPyk1Z91eYlKoHxh1aGglxGkbcCFXr2ywNNfXasZdE

Great find, thanks Glenn!

[glenn239]

Too preliminary to draw conclusions, but I saw at one point they are asked "where are the aircraft?" and they reply that the cannot see any evidence of aircraft debris in the hangers so far.  They speculate that maybe they are in the debris field closer to the point of bombing.   Hopefully they'll have time to do that, search along the trail to the place where the ship was bombed.

Seems like the further the ship sinks the more likely it lands right way up...

[Stuart Galbraith]

Unless perhaps if its Kirishima...

[glenn239]

Kirishima isn't as deep, only about 4,000 feet.   So far the Midway carriers are 3 for 3 being upright, though maybe the fact they are carriers has something to do with that.

Edited September 11, 2023 by glenn239

[glenn239]

They're live streaming Kaga right now.  Unlike Akagi, the entire hanger is missing admidships.  

[Stuart Galbraith]

That's a really nice find Glenn, thanks for sharing.  👍

[RETAC21]

On 9/11/2023 at 9:23 PM, glenn239 said:

Too preliminary to draw conclusions, but I saw at one point they are asked "where are the aircraft?" and they reply that the cannot see any evidence of aircraft debris in the hangers so far.  They speculate that maybe they are in the debris field closer to the point of bombing.   Hopefully they'll have time to do that, search along the trail to the place where the ship was bombed.

Seems like the further the ship sinks the more likely it lands right way up...

Yes, this tend to be so, as the hull would tend to follow the path of least resistance, which means the underwater form will enable it to "glide", plus the topweight is shed in the sinking, leaving the heavier items at the bottom of the hull, but much depends on the amount of water. If compartments hold significant amounts of air, they will implode and the hull will be torn apart, losing its form. Lighter sctructures will also be shed as the ship goes down (like the aircraft).

[Stuart Galbraith]

I always thought it curious Ark Royal broke in two, with one part upside down on the sea bed iirc. Presumably like Titanic, it happened  on the surface.

[RETAC21]

13 hours ago, Stuart Galbraith said:

I always thought it curious Ark Royal broke in two, with one part upside down on the sea bed iirc. Presumably like Titanic, it happened  on the surface.

Didn't knew that, but here's a nice document about it:

https://www.edgetech.com/images/ut-news/articles/hydro2004.pdf

 

[Stuart Galbraith]

Thats very interesting, thanks.

It refers to a BBC survey. This was a documentary made at least 10 years ago, were they sent an ROV down to have a look at the wreck, which was in fairly good shape for what it went through. They actually had a former pilot who flew off Ark Royal the chance to land on the deck with the ROV one last time, which was pretty cool.

[glenn239]

Always thought the loss of the Ark Royal was a damn shame.  Such a fine ship, my favorite of the British carriers.

[Stuart Galbraith]

The RN was a bit upset too if its any consolation to you.

I gather her loss revealed a problem with non subdivision of machinery compartments, if I remember rightly if the engine room was hit, you lost all the pumps too. The subsequent carrier designs supposedly fixed that problem. But yes, it was a great shame, not least because it must have really annoyed the luftwaffe the amount of times they thought they sank her, and back she came like a bad penny.

[glenn239]

Youtube video now up,

 

[Mikel2]

On 9/13/2023 at 3:31 PM, RETAC21 said:

Yes, this tend to be so, as the hull would tend to follow the path of least resistance, which means the underwater form will enable it to "glide", plus the topweight is shed in the sinking, leaving the heavier items at the bottom of the hull, but much depends on the amount of water. If compartments hold significant amounts of air, they will implode and the hull will be torn apart, losing its form. Lighter sctructures will also be shed as the ship goes down (like the aircraft).

 

Must be an interesting case of hydrodynamics as the ship sinks.  IIRC the wrecks of the Lexington and Yorktown have planes in them.  Even airplane tugs still on the deck.