How long would a carrier group survive unattended anchored just off shore
Take the situation of a modern carrier group (Aircraft carrier, etc.) anchored just off shore (far enough that they initially couldn't run aground) with all the crews abandoning ship for land (in a hurry). The ships then stay there for many years with only the odd adventurer/scavenger visiting.
- How long would the ships survive with no occupants or maintenance?
- How long would it take for them to break down (rust away)?
- When would they likely sink completely?
- What condition would they be after 10 years? 25 years? 50 years? 100 years?
Assume they were anchored off shore in an area without seasonal hurricanes.
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1 answer
There was a Life After People episode about ships. Most of the navy ships would still be floating after a couple hundred years (depending on hull thickness, weather, hull imperfections, if the interior hatches are open or closed to allow water to flow freely). The big problem is when the anchor chains fall apart after a few decades allowing the ships to either float away or run aground.
The LAP wiki has some of the information, though of course not all of it is scientifically verified I'm sure. I'd use them as a rough estimate more than anything.
The rusting away part depends on the depth of where they are when they eventually sink. Say the anchor chains rust away and the wind/currents runs them aground. Eventually they take on to much water and sink, but since they're in shallow water they stay mostly upright and mostly above water. After a couple more centuries they've lost enough structural integrity that they begin to collapse under their own weight. The parts underwater take the longest to disappear.
The aircraft carrier is the last to go.
They are now active marine habitats/artificial reefs.
TL;DR: A really long time, but how long depends on a lot of stuff we don't know.
Edit: Post apocalypse they would probably become refuges for wandering people, which could extend their lives a bit as people would do maintenance and seal leaky compartments, or could shorten their lives a bit if those people come under attack.
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