Anyone know what is the largest ship in the current US Navy inventory could be negotiated into Lake Michigan from the Atlantic?
I know of two Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates which have docked in Cleveland, Ohio, on Lake Erie, in recent years: Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate - Wikipedia. Nothing bigger that I’m aware of.
Looks like the St. Lawrence Seaway locks can handle 740’ long with a draft of 70’. A Ticonderoga class cruiser is 567’ with a draft of 55’.
I don’t think either the New Jersey, the last battleship to be decommissioned, or any of the post-WW2 aircraft carriers could navigate the locks.
Access to Lake Superior is apparently more limited. The deepest of the locks into that lake is 32 feet.
Ships on Lake Michagan were limited to 25’ draught early in 2013 due to “drought” , and they still bump along. In regular times, they can go to 28’ draught.
I figure the Navy don’t want to take anything in if there is a risk it might bump into something solid in the depths… so add some feet on for safety
They had a flight deck on USS Sable … but of course it was built for the purpose, taking a lake steamer and re-fitting it as a floating runway …
I think somebody is a bit confused: The 55’ and 70’ numbers are the beam (width), not the draft. Most of the lake shipping channels are only dredged (where needed) to 35-38 feet. I don’t know of any locks anywhere with 70’ draft over sills. The only USN ships which would draw that much water would submerged submarines.
Here’s the stats for getting through the St. Lawrence seaway:
*St. Lawrence River-
(6) depth, 26 feet (7.9 meters);
(7) width, 76 feet (23.16 meters);
(8) Length, 730 feet (222.5 meters)
when certain conditions are met;
(9) vertical, 117 feet (35.6 meters).
From my friends at boatnerd.com
I think the Coast Guard would have something to say about the USN navigating in their waters.
Why? I doubt if the USCG would care. They have completely different functions.
Well somebody tagged the sign at Navy Pier in Chicago, and they were wearing blue. That’s all I’m saying.
The US Navy is always navigating in Coast Guard waters. How the hell do you think they make port?