One of a fleet of diesel electric submarines the Soviet Navy called “Project 641,” B-39 was commissioned in the early 1970s and served on active duty for more than 20 years.
300 feet in length and displacing more than 2000 tons, B-39 is among the largest conventionally powered submarines ever built. She was designed to track U.S. and NATO warships throughout the world’s oceans. B-39, assigned to the Soviet Pacific fleet, undoubtedly stalked many of the U.S. Navy’s ships home ported in San Diego. Now, less than 20 years after the collapse of the Berlin Wall signaled the end of the Cold War, she will be berthed on San Diego Bay amidst her former adversaries. Soviet Project 641 submarines, classified as “Foxtrot” by NATO, are essentially larger and more powerful versions of German World War II era U-boats. Low-tech but lethal, she carried 24 torpedoes while she was on patrol-some capable of delivering low-yield nuclear warheads. B-39 carried a crew of 78 and could dive to a depth of 985 feet before threatening the integrity of her nickel steel pressure hull. The Soviet and then Russian Federation’s navies deployed these submarines from the mid 1950s through the early 1990s. They played a part in many of the Cold War’s most tense moments including the Cuban Missile Crisis
Source : sdmaritime
Friday, June 30, 2006
Russian Submarine at San Diego Harbor
Star of India, San Diego
Photos of Star of India
The Star of India is the world's oldest seafaring ship. Built in 1863 at Ramsey Shipyard in the Isle of Man, it was an experimental design utilizing iron instead of wood. Launched as Euterpe, a full-rigged ship named after the Greek goddess of music, the ship's initial voyages involved some rough sailing. Her first trip included a collision and mutiny. She came face to face with a cyclone in the Bay of Bengal on her second journey. Her topmasts cut away, she barely made port. Following that, the first captain died on board and was buried at sea.
The waters finally quieted and it was smooth sailing during numerous uneventful voyages and several "change of owner" transactions. She served as a cargo ship to India, a passenger vessel hauling emigrants to New Zealand and a commercial salmon fishing and packing facility. Her name was changed to Star of India in 1906 and after 60 years of solid performance in 1923, she was towed to the San Diego bay. Saved from the ax or torch by concerned historians, she sat in port for over 50 years until funding helped renovate the tired old lady which was once a star. In 1976, the fully restored Star of India put to sea for the first time in fifty years, under the
command of Captain Carl Bowman. She sailed beautifully that day, to the applause of half a million fans, ashore and afloat. Since then, the Star of India has sailed on numerous special occasions.
Now part of a maritime museum tour, you can visit the Star of India. Admission is under $10. There is metered parking throughout the week, and the museum is open daily. This is not the official museum web site. Call first for hours and admission prices or visit their web site on line.
HMS Surprise, San Diego
Pictures of HMS Surprise. Photo of HMS Surprise.
HMS. Surprise is a 179-foot full rigged ship. Her designers and builders made a painstaking effort to recreate a 24 gun frigate of Great Britan's Nelson era Royal Navy. The result is a replica vessel unmatched in its authenticity and attention to detail. Originally christened H.M.S. Rose when she was launched in 1970, she served as a sail training vessel operating out of several East coast ports for over 30 years. the ship underwent extensive modifications for the production of the film in 2002. The museum acquired the ship in October, 2004. Plans include restoring the ship to seaworthy condition, but she probably will not be ready to sail until 2006 at the earliest.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Canyon Lake, Arizona
Located approximately 16 miles outside of Apache Junction on state route 88, Canyon Lake is Salt River reservoir lake. Canyon Lake offers beautiful mountainous scenery and various fish such as the walleye, largemouth bass, yellow bass, rainbow trout, bluegill, channel catfish and crappie. It has a designated swimming site and a pair of boating ramps. The three recreation sites at the lake -- Acacia Picnic Site, the Palo Verde Recreation Site and the Boulder Creek Recreation Site -- are open year round and available at no charge.
Hazaara Ram temple
The Hazara Rama Temple temple built within rectangular complex lies at the heart of the royal centre. Dating from the early 15th century, the hall of the Hazara Rama Temple has finely carved basalt pillars depicting the incarnations of Vishnu. Around the exterior walls of the hall are three rows of sculptures illustrating the main events from the Ramayana.
This temple now unused is situated in the royal enclosure of the city and was probably the king's private shrine. The enclosure walls of the temple are exceptional in that they are carved both on the outside and the inside.
The outer friezes depict horses, elephants, dancing girls and infantry in procession. The inner panels show scenes from the Hindu epic, the Ramayana. On the walls of the god's sanctum are two rare depictions of Vishnu as the Buddha.
Though the temple is small in size, it is a fine example of the skills of Vijaynagara sculptors, who have very artistically coaxed filigree and lace out of Deccan stone.
Northeast of the Hazara Rama Temple is the Zenana enclosure, which may have been, used either by the king or his military commander. Recent excavations have unearthed remains of places to the west of the Hazara Rama Temple.
Monday, June 26, 2006
Virupaksha Temple at Hampi
This temple bears the stamp of the Vijayanagar architecture and it stands as a shrine of worship in Hampi. Although of earlier origin, it received considerable patronage from Krishnadevaraya of the Vijayanagar Empire. It has a 160 foot high gopuram from the 16th century. This temple dedicated to Shiva has several mandapams and murals. Some of the shrines in this temple go back to the 12th century.
Elephants Stable at Hampi
Elephants stable at Hampi. This was used to housing the elephants which the King of Hampi maintained.
Hampi : Shivlinga at Hampi
Shivaling at Hampi, this shivlinga is next to the ugranarsimha statue. This is one of the few sculptures which escaped destruction by Islamic Invaders.
