Hmm… So, $970 to fire a 14-inch shell? Back in the olden days, that would have grabbed attention, if not shocked people; it was an about year’s wages for an average working man or woman, down at the mine or mill.
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In 1915, the value of gold was $20/oz…. And today, gold is around $1,940; or 97x change. So that $970 cost then translates into a current number of about $94,000, roughly. The price of a high end, luxury car. Or a big fraction of the price of a new house. Or way more than the US average household income of about $75,000 per year.
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We don’t manufacture 14-inch shells anymore, obviously. But I’ve heard that new-production 155mm are costing out at about $4,000 each, all-in.
Yes, I wasn't sure about that $970 pricetag. Shell + powder bags? Or just the big bullet, with propellant extra? I don't know...
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Meanwhile, that brings up the need to calculate the "fully burdened" cost of something, in which you must add in the storage, transport from final assembly site to the pier, then handling charges to load and carry. Or compound the FB-cost with shipping the shells to an overseas depot.
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Much the same as, say, modern "fully burdened cost of fuel" (FBCF), as we dealt with recently in Iraq or Afghanistan. Buy the fuel at some bulk price at the refinery or storage terminal. Ship it to a remote base somewhere. Then, say, load it into a tanker plane like KC-135. Then fly it (using more fuel, of course) into a tanker orbit, and then drill long, U-shaped patterns in the sky. And finally deliver it to a thirsty airplane. Yikes... You get numbers like $75/gallon and more.
Thanks, Sal. If we don’t know where we came from, we have no idea of where we can go. With the exception of my father (AMM2, WW2), all of my ancestors were U.S. Army or state militia, but I can appreciate the difficulties of our 1915 Navy. I strongly recommend “Delilah” by Marcus Goodrich.
Thanks for the tip, Alan. Amazon had a used copy of the book for $5.99. My grandmother, born in 1885, had a cousin she corresponded with who was in the Army stationed in the Philippines during the Philippine Insurrection (their failed war of independence). He fought against the Moros in the Southern Islands. My wife is a Filipina. Am looking forward to the read.
dad was a Bosun's mate on a CVE, so I enjoyed the rope work best. After WW2, he was involved in the Sea Scouts, and later with my Boy Scout troop, so I remember his skills fondly...
Had uncles who served in WWII. EN2 (small Aux, Pacific), PhM2 (small amphib, Pacific), BM3 (DD's, Atlantic), GM2 (BB/DD, Pacific), Officer (Manhattan Project). Dad was in the USAAF (pilot), 1 uncle in the Army (Inf, Europe). Cousins, all Navy: PN2, GMG2/BUCS(SCW), FTGCS(SW), RMSN, RD2, HN, ET2. Of cousin's offspring only two served, both Marines.
As you know Capt. M, our Navy was all about Safety, Safety, Safety. Had a good friend on my FFG who reported aboard as an Ensign. I just happened to be on the Quarterdeck when he checked in. Chest full of ribbons and a CIB. He had done 2 infantry tours in Vietnam before lateraling over to the Navy to become a CTI(Russian/German/some Chinese). He was fully onboard with safety protocols but used to gripe/joke, "Yeah safety, where were the SOB's when I got sent out to walk point while I was recovering from a gunshot wound to the calf, had pleurisy and my bloused trousers were filled with s___ from dysentery? Safety...huh." (Jay had gotten that gunshot wound from a VC he had shot. The guy was still alive, so he gave him first aid. The VC pulled out a pistol and shot him through the calf. Jay attended to his own wound and then the VC's.) He retired an O-4 at 26 years. His last tour was at a joint command in Korea. His Army CO saw his CIB and Jay served out the tour as an O-5, as the billet was for that. Jay is a good man.
I think the Navy sent film crews along with the Great White Fleet. Since that was in the era of nitro cellulose I am sure those films are long gone.
Hmm… So, $970 to fire a 14-inch shell? Back in the olden days, that would have grabbed attention, if not shocked people; it was an about year’s wages for an average working man or woman, down at the mine or mill.
.
In 1915, the value of gold was $20/oz…. And today, gold is around $1,940; or 97x change. So that $970 cost then translates into a current number of about $94,000, roughly. The price of a high end, luxury car. Or a big fraction of the price of a new house. Or way more than the US average household income of about $75,000 per year.
.
We don’t manufacture 14-inch shells anymore, obviously. But I’ve heard that new-production 155mm are costing out at about $4,000 each, all-in.
.
Everything has its own sort of sticker shock.
plus powder bags
Yes, I wasn't sure about that $970 pricetag. Shell + powder bags? Or just the big bullet, with propellant extra? I don't know...
.
Meanwhile, that brings up the need to calculate the "fully burdened" cost of something, in which you must add in the storage, transport from final assembly site to the pier, then handling charges to load and carry. Or compound the FB-cost with shipping the shells to an overseas depot.
.
Much the same as, say, modern "fully burdened cost of fuel" (FBCF), as we dealt with recently in Iraq or Afghanistan. Buy the fuel at some bulk price at the refinery or storage terminal. Ship it to a remote base somewhere. Then, say, load it into a tanker plane like KC-135. Then fly it (using more fuel, of course) into a tanker orbit, and then drill long, U-shaped patterns in the sky. And finally deliver it to a thirsty airplane. Yikes... You get numbers like $75/gallon and more.
.
Per Sun Tzu, "Wars cost much silver."
relax, DOD is promising electric tanks and planes that are carbon neutral
Solar will be great! Umm, they are not planning on fighting at night, are they?
I'm remembering stories from Desert Storm of how many thousands of gallons of fuel were choppered in to FARPs to keep the fast paced advance moving.
How many electrons (in batteries) can an electric helicopter lift to a Forward Arming & Recharging Point?
Can a tank battalion recharge fast enough to sustain a 'lightning' offensive?
When it comes to logistics, there is usually a lot of, "We'll figure that part out later."
apparently electric tanks will save lives by eliminating that big log tail of fuel trucks
Thanks, Sal. If we don’t know where we came from, we have no idea of where we can go. With the exception of my father (AMM2, WW2), all of my ancestors were U.S. Army or state militia, but I can appreciate the difficulties of our 1915 Navy. I strongly recommend “Delilah” by Marcus Goodrich.
Thanks for the tip, Alan. Amazon had a used copy of the book for $5.99. My grandmother, born in 1885, had a cousin she corresponded with who was in the Army stationed in the Philippines during the Philippine Insurrection (their failed war of independence). He fought against the Moros in the Southern Islands. My wife is a Filipina. Am looking forward to the read.
That was a great book. Especially when that dude went psycho toward the end. Old School Squid. :)
Those boys would have been amazed only 30 years later to watch refueling and replenishment while under away, and coaling had gone away.
dad was a Bosun's mate on a CVE, so I enjoyed the rope work best. After WW2, he was involved in the Sea Scouts, and later with my Boy Scout troop, so I remember his skills fondly...
Had uncles who served in WWII. EN2 (small Aux, Pacific), PhM2 (small amphib, Pacific), BM3 (DD's, Atlantic), GM2 (BB/DD, Pacific), Officer (Manhattan Project). Dad was in the USAAF (pilot), 1 uncle in the Army (Inf, Europe). Cousins, all Navy: PN2, GMG2/BUCS(SCW), FTGCS(SW), RMSN, RD2, HN, ET2. Of cousin's offspring only two served, both Marines.
I’m sure this footage would make todays health and safety inspectors choke.
As you know Capt. M, our Navy was all about Safety, Safety, Safety. Had a good friend on my FFG who reported aboard as an Ensign. I just happened to be on the Quarterdeck when he checked in. Chest full of ribbons and a CIB. He had done 2 infantry tours in Vietnam before lateraling over to the Navy to become a CTI(Russian/German/some Chinese). He was fully onboard with safety protocols but used to gripe/joke, "Yeah safety, where were the SOB's when I got sent out to walk point while I was recovering from a gunshot wound to the calf, had pleurisy and my bloused trousers were filled with s___ from dysentery? Safety...huh." (Jay had gotten that gunshot wound from a VC he had shot. The guy was still alive, so he gave him first aid. The VC pulled out a pistol and shot him through the calf. Jay attended to his own wound and then the VC's.) He retired an O-4 at 26 years. His last tour was at a joint command in Korea. His Army CO saw his CIB and Jay served out the tour as an O-5, as the billet was for that. Jay is a good man.
One can't help but be struck by the physical fitness of the Sailors and Marines of 108 years ago. They put too many of our current recruits to shame.
No video games and sugary, high-carb geedunk back then.