This can't be good

[Gofirstclass]

I believe this is live, happening now at 1:00p.m. PST today. This is one of our Navy ships in San Diego.

 

[alnav]

Mike, that's Bonhomme Richard, an amphibious assault ship. Looks like a carrier but can only handle vertical take off and landing aircraft like helicopters and VSTOL jets. She also has a "well deck" a large floodable area at the stern to carry and launch landing craft. But, she is larger than any WWII carrier. Since she's in a maintenance availability there is probably no ammo or fuel aboard but the fire still looks pretty bad and has been going all day. She's a pretty old ship already and I would guess right now she will never see service again. Looks like so far nobody has been killed, let's pray it stays that way. BTW, that oblong shape moored behind the ship is a berthing barge, used to house the crew during intense maintenance. So, nobody was probably living aboard, which would be a blessing in this case.

 

[CNYBoater]

Hoping that it turn out to be no fatalities or serious injuries. Loss of a vessel stinks, but would be worse if there is a human cost as well.

 

[b_arrington]

A couple articles on the situation. Apparently it's gotten really bad. According to the author, the ship is strategically very important to the Navy's strategy, and may be a total construcute loss at this point. Fire got to the island and gutted all the sensors, and is not far from a million gallons of fuel.

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zo...me-richard-is-on-fire-in-naval-base-san-diego

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zo...gulfed-in-flames-as-fire-rages-into-the-night

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zo...-uss-bonhomme-richard-from-1m-gallons-of-fuel