What does mothball mean military?
2 mothballs plural : a condition of protective storage put the ships in mothballs after the war also : a state of having been rejected for further use or dismissed from further consideration. mothball.
Does the mothball fleet still exist?
Today, the mothball fleet is maintained at Bremerton, Washington; Philadelphia, and Pearl Harbor. There are three Perry-class frigates at Bremerton plus the aircraft carriers Kitty Hawk and Enterprise, and their age and cost means the carriers will absolutely not come back.
What does the word fleet?
1 : a group of warships under one commander. 2 : a country’s navy. 3 : a group of ships or vehicles that move together or are owned by one company a fishing fleet a fleet of taxis.
Does the Royal Navy have a mothball fleet?
Today, the British navy doesn’t even have jet fighters. It mothballed its last Harriers in 2010. It possesses just 89 ships.
Where does the term mothball come from?
also moth-ball, moth ball, “naphthalene ball stored among fabrics to keep off moths,” 1891, from moth + ball (n. 1). mothball (v.) 1902 in a literal sense (to store away with mothballs), from mothball (n.); figurative sense “to lay up or disuse for a long time” is from 1901, popularized c.
What is the purpose of mothballs?
The labeled use of mothballs is to kill moths and other fiber insects to protect clothing. To do so properly, place mothballs inside tightly closed containers along with the clothing or materials. The vapors will remain inside the container and kill the moths.
How many aircraft carriers are in the mothball fleet?
There are currently seven ships, including the Kitty Hawk, that are moored in Bremerton’s mothball fleet. The remaining vessels include the former amphibious transport dock ship Dubuque and the guided missile frigates Rodney M.
How many amphibious assault ships does the US have?
The US officially has 11 aircraft carriers, but it also has nine other ships that can serve as carriers in a pinch. Those are the eight Wasp-class amphibious assault ships and the single America-class vessel in service.
Why does fleet mean?
One meaning of fleet comes from the Old English fleot, meaning “ship,” “raft,” or “floating vessel.” Although a fleet is usually a group of ships or airplanes operating under the same ownership, any group of vessels sailing together can be called a fleet, even you and your friends in a fleet of kayaks.
Does fleet mean fast?
The definition of fleet is something that moves swiftly. An example of fleet is someone who can move quickly or is very nimble.
What does laid up in ordinary mean?
In ordinary is an English phrase. In naval matters, vessels “in ordinary” (from the 17th century) are those out of service for repair or maintenance, a meaning coming over time to cover a reserve fleet or “mothballed” ships.
What is the reserve tanker fleet mean?
The government’s reserve tanker fleet has been deployed to help tackle the fuel supply crisis at UK petrol stations, as soldiers train to join the distribution effort within days.