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Of Pirates and the Latter 19th Century:
- Thread starter Mini14
- Start date
Sonora Rebel
Regular Member
imported post
Pirates were identified by Blackstone as 'Hostis Genaris Humani" (General Enemies of Humanity) in the 18th Century. Several years agoI sent a formal letter to SCOTUS addressing the resurgance of Piracy... linking 'no-flag' Islamic Terrorists in this catagory. Another facet of this letter dealt with coastal states issuing 'Letters of Marque' to Privateers for interdiction of smuggling (drugs, ect.) on the high seas.Of couse... I never received a response.
At one time... the "Captain of anyinterested warship" was free to engage pirates wherever encounteredand mete out such justice as he deemed fit. This was 'Admiralty Law'. The actual result being that pirate vessels were siezed or sunk and the surviving crew were hung. Presently... Pirates are to be 'returned' to their country of origin for trial. That sounds like somethin' the UN thought up. Somalia has no functioning government... and this idea never considered 'Rouge States' which tacitly sponsor Piracy.
The primary problem (with the US Government) today is there are few former 'warriors' in Congress or the Senate. Lawyers... lack the required 'sand' to enact anything effective. I suspect the same is true of most western nations.India doesn't seem to share that problem... having engaged at least one pirate vessel and sinking it.
We know where the pirate havens are. IF the government was serious about combatting piracy... These pirate ports would be attacked, their ships and infrastucture destroyed. It would take a land op to regain those ships siezed by pirates (for ransom) along with the 3-400 crewmembers held hostage. I hate to image what conditions those folks are in. It could be done... but it won't.
Merchant Captains could do a LOT more in preventing pirates from boarding... but they won't... or moreover... are not allowed by the owners. Meanwhile... the pirates flourish and the media whines.
"Everybody, sooner or later, sits down to a banquet of consequences.":
Robert Lewis Stevenson
Pirates were identified by Blackstone as 'Hostis Genaris Humani" (General Enemies of Humanity) in the 18th Century. Several years agoI sent a formal letter to SCOTUS addressing the resurgance of Piracy... linking 'no-flag' Islamic Terrorists in this catagory. Another facet of this letter dealt with coastal states issuing 'Letters of Marque' to Privateers for interdiction of smuggling (drugs, ect.) on the high seas.Of couse... I never received a response.
At one time... the "Captain of anyinterested warship" was free to engage pirates wherever encounteredand mete out such justice as he deemed fit. This was 'Admiralty Law'. The actual result being that pirate vessels were siezed or sunk and the surviving crew were hung. Presently... Pirates are to be 'returned' to their country of origin for trial. That sounds like somethin' the UN thought up. Somalia has no functioning government... and this idea never considered 'Rouge States' which tacitly sponsor Piracy.
The primary problem (with the US Government) today is there are few former 'warriors' in Congress or the Senate. Lawyers... lack the required 'sand' to enact anything effective. I suspect the same is true of most western nations.India doesn't seem to share that problem... having engaged at least one pirate vessel and sinking it.
We know where the pirate havens are. IF the government was serious about combatting piracy... These pirate ports would be attacked, their ships and infrastucture destroyed. It would take a land op to regain those ships siezed by pirates (for ransom) along with the 3-400 crewmembers held hostage. I hate to image what conditions those folks are in. It could be done... but it won't.
Merchant Captains could do a LOT more in preventing pirates from boarding... but they won't... or moreover... are not allowed by the owners. Meanwhile... the pirates flourish and the media whines.
"Everybody, sooner or later, sits down to a banquet of consequences.":
Robert Lewis Stevenson
bordsnbikes
Regular Member
imported post
PT boats were freaking awesome. I think they were also the first to use the MK-19. My personal favorite weapon system. I would be more than happy to cruise in a PT boat with maybe 3 other boats armed with MK-19's and .50's. How fun would that be?
PT boats were freaking awesome. I think they were also the first to use the MK-19. My personal favorite weapon system. I would be more than happy to cruise in a PT boat with maybe 3 other boats armed with MK-19's and .50's. How fun would that be?
imported post
The last of the best.
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/mandm/ptboatp1.htm
Yata hey
The last of the best.
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/mandm/ptboatp1.htm
Yata hey
Sonora Rebel
Regular Member
imported post
This would be a better platform: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/13/Schnellboot_P6121.jpg
MK 19 40mm was developed in the '60's 'n never saw service in WWII. PT boats were normally equipped with a pair of MA-2 .50 MG's and a single or dual Orlikon MK4 20mm astern plus 4 torpedo tubes. I can tell you guys ain't 'Navy'.
This would be a better platform: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/13/Schnellboot_P6121.jpg
MK 19 40mm was developed in the '60's 'n never saw service in WWII. PT boats were normally equipped with a pair of MA-2 .50 MG's and a single or dual Orlikon MK4 20mm astern plus 4 torpedo tubes. I can tell you guys ain't 'Navy'.
bordsnbikes
Regular Member
imported post
No I think the MK-19's where on the PT boats in Nam. I may have the wrong boat in mind. Or I may be completely off my rocker.
No I'm better, Infantry
No I think the MK-19's where on the PT boats in Nam. I may have the wrong boat in mind. Or I may be completely off my rocker.
No I'm better, Infantry
Sonora Rebel
Regular Member
imported post
Wern't no PT boats in the 'Nam... PCF's, PBR's, Mike boats 'n stuff. (Formerly of TF-116 Riverine, IV Corps, Mekong Delta).
Infantry? Yer off yer rocker! :uhoh:
Wern't no PT boats in the 'Nam... PCF's, PBR's, Mike boats 'n stuff. (Formerly of TF-116 Riverine, IV Corps, Mekong Delta).
Infantry? Yer off yer rocker! :uhoh:
bordsnbikes
Regular Member
imported post
Hmm what were the boats they used to run up the delta's called? I thought they were PT boats.
It's ok to be jealous, not everyone is good enough to be Infantry (please note, this is all in good fun)
ETA you already answered, nevermind.
The PBR boat is what I was thinking of. They are pretty sweet.
Hmm what were the boats they used to run up the delta's called? I thought they were PT boats.
It's ok to be jealous, not everyone is good enough to be Infantry (please note, this is all in good fun)
ETA you already answered, nevermind.
The PBR boat is what I was thinking of. They are pretty sweet.
imported post
Sonora Rebel wrote:
http://www.ptfnasty.com/
Yata hey
Sonora Rebel wrote:
PTF Boats (Nasty Class) as used in Da Nang Harbor.
http://www.ptfnasty.com/
Yata hey
Sonora Rebel
Regular Member
imported post
Major difference between Fast Patrol Boat 'n Patrol Torpedo. Those guys were coastal not Riverine.
This is pretty much 'all' of 'em: http://www.warboats.org/vietnam.htm
Major difference between Fast Patrol Boat 'n Patrol Torpedo. Those guys were coastal not Riverine.
This is pretty much 'all' of 'em: http://www.warboats.org/vietnam.htm