Pesky Chinese push US around

[MigBuster 2,884]

Well according to Fox - nothing elsewhere on this

 

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/12/13/chinese-naval-vessel-tries-to-force-us-warship-to-stop-in-international-waters/

 

 

A Chinese naval vessel tried to force a U.S. guided missile warship to stop in international waters recently, causing a tense military standoff in the latest case of Chinese maritime harassment, according to defense officials.

The guided missile cruiser USS Cowpens, which recently took part in disaster relief operations in the Philippines, was confronted by Chinese warships in the South China Sea near Beijing’s new aircraft carrier Liaoning, according to officials familiar with the incident.

“On December 5th, while lawfully operating in international waters in the South China Sea, USS Cowpens and a PLA Navy vessel had an encounter that required maneuvering to avoid a collision,” a Navy official said.

“This incident underscores the need to ensure the highest standards of professional seamanship, including communications between vessels, to mitigate the risk of an unintended incident or mishap.”

A State Department official said the U.S. government issued protests to China in both Washington and Beijing in both diplomatic and military channels.

The Cowpens was conducting surveillance of the Liaoning at the time. The carrier had recently sailed from the port of Qingdao on the northern Chinese coast into the South China Sea.

According to the officials, the run-in began after a Chinese navy vessel sent a hailing warning and ordered the Cowpens to stop. The cruiser continued on its course and refused the order because it was operating in international waters

[KJakker 902]

Sounds just like the kind of stuff that went on during the Cold War. One side sent a ship to shadow a carrier and the other sides escort vessels try to keep the shadowing ship away from the carrier.  

[+JonathanRL 974]

 

USS Cowpens

They STILL have a ship by that name? One would think it was one of the ones who would be removed for sheer sillyness. But I suppose the legend of the Mighty Moo still lives...

[Wrench 9,857]

had a carrier with that name too

 

here's the historical bit: (on the battle of)

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Cowpens

[+CrazyhorseB34 937]

Named after the Battle of Cowpens. I guess the strongest navy the world has ever seen should have a ship named "Visby." Now that is a stupid sounding name.

[+JonathanRL 974]

Well, it may be stupid but it comes from a town that is twice as old as your nation ;-)

And I do happen to know about the Carrier, hence the reference to her nickname. In a "What-If", she was the Carrier refitted and sold to Sweden.

[+CrazyhorseB34 937]

Yes but one drop of blood was never shed for that town's freedom. Think before you speak.

[+JonathanRL 974]

Yes but one drop of blood was never shed for that town's freedom. Think before you speak.

 

First of all. My first comment was in jest.

Second of all; you do the same mistake you accuse me of. The City of Visby has changed hands quite a few times, and almost always the method has been bloodshed. Below are the more famous examples.

 

 

In 1361, Gotland was conquered by Valdemar IV of Denmark. 1800 Gotlanders were killed in battle in front of the city. Valdemar tore down part of the wall, set up three huge beer barrels and threatened to turn his men loose to pillage the town unless they were filled with silver and gold. The Visby city fathers fulfilled the demand, with churches stripped of their valuables. Valdemar added "King of Gotland" to his title list. His treatment of Visby, a member of the Hanseatic League, precipitated that League into war with Denmark; however, though Valdemar was forced into various concessions, he retained Visby as a Danish city.

 

In 1391, 1394 and 1398, it was taken and plundered by the Victual Brothers, pirates who sailed the Baltic Sea. An invading army of Teutonic Knights conquered Gotland in 1398, destroyed Visby and expelled the Victual Brothers.

So how about we just settle that both are equally worthy of their name and leave it at that.

[+Stary 2,427]

Jonathan, let'em be, they're Yanks, what do they know about history

[+RAVEN 414]

It's written by the victor.

[Sheriff001 397]

That's why every history I've ever read of the Vietnam War was written by a North Vietnamese

 

Wait a minute ...

[Heck 496]

"Sin writes histories, goodness is silent."

Goethe

Edited December 14, 2013 by Heck

[+CrazyhorseB34 937]

Like a said.... not one drop shed for their freedom. Changing dukes does not count. We Americans do not have to know history. We make history. Ha! Ha! Ha! No sweat Jonathan I know you where joking, but USN ship names are something you don't joke about around Americans. Cowpens might sound silly to you. Just as Visby sounds like a butler's name to me. But both names have significance to both nations. Now the Royal Navy has some pretty silly ship names....... Aggressive adjectives seem to be the norm. I would not be surprised if the RN names a ship HMS Face Ripping Monkey.

[Viggen 644]

 No sweat Jonathan I know you where joking, but USN ship names are something you don't joke about around Americans. Cowpens might sound silly to you. Just as Visby sounds like a butler's name to me. But both names have significance to both nations. Now the Royal Navy has some pretty silly ship names....... Aggressive adjectives seem to be the norm. I would not be surprised if the RN names a ship HMS Face Ripping Monkey.

 

Like the bit in Red Storm Rising.

 

"What the devil is a Reuben James?"

 

"At least we don't name ships after our mother in law!"

 

The majority of warships that have served in the US Navy have names with meaning. Whether it's after a location, battle, or naval hero. Some, I do agree are questionable, but I'm a Soldier so what do I know?

[+CrazyhorseB34 937]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reuben_James

 

What is a Reuben James? There is your answer.

 

It would be fitting if the USS Cowpens would make a port visit to "Goat Island."

[Viggen 644]

I know who Reuben James is. It was a line in the book, is all.

[+CrazyhorseB34 937]

I know you know! I was answering it for others!

[+pcpilot 181]

^{What was the original topic about???}

[JediMaster 451]

Shall we talk about naming ships like the Johnny Reb as a sop to political influence?

 

One thing I find should be important is how the name sounds after "the" because that's the way people hear it. If it's some unwieldy grouping it won't work.

 

For instance, "USS Yorktown" is fine. But "USS Battle of Yorktown" would be ridiculous. I never liked the idea to call a ship "The United States" as a result.

[KJakker 902]

One thing I find should be important is how the name sounds after "the" because that's the way people hear it. If it's some unwieldy grouping it won't work.

 

For instance, "USS Yorktown" is fine. But "USS Battle of Yorktown" would be ridiculous. I never liked the idea to call a ship "The United States" as a result.

 

What about the USS The Sullivans?

[JediMaster 451]

Yeah, that's another awkward one. Surely they could've honored them in a better way.

[UK_Widowmaker 571]

HMS Google