USS North Carolina (BB-55) in World War II

USS North Carolina (BB-55) was the lead ship of the North Carolina-class of battleships. The first new design constructed by the US Navy since the early 1920s, the North Carolina-class incorporated a variety of new technologies and design approaches.   Entering service in 1941, North Carolina saw extensive service in the Pacific during World War II and took part in nearly all of the major Allied campaigns. This saw it earn 15 battles stars, the most won by any American battleship. Retired in 1947, North Carolina was taken to Wilmington, NC in 1961 and opened as a museum ship the following year.   Treaty Limitations The story of the North Carolina-class begins with the Washington Naval Treaty (1922) and London Navy Treaty (1930) which limited warship size and total tonnage. As a result of the treaties, the US Navy did not built any new battleships for the most the 1920s and 1930s. In 1935, the General Board of the US Navy began preparations for the design of a new class of modern battleships. Operating under the constraints imposed by the Second London Naval Treaty (1936), which limited total displacement to 35,000 tons and the caliber of guns to 14, designers worked through a multitude of designs to create a new class that combined an effective mix of firepower, speed, and protection. Design and Construction After extensive debate, the General Board recommended design XVI-C which called for a battleship capable of 30 knots and mounting nine 14 guns. This recommendation was overruled by Secretary of the Navy Claude A. Swanson who favored the XVI design which mounted twelve 14 guns but had a maximum speed of 27 knots. The final design of what became the North Carolina-class emerged in 1937 after Japans refusal to agree to the 14 restriction imposed the treaty. This allowed the other signatories to implement the treatys escalator clause which permitted an increase to 16 guns and a maximum displacement of 45,000 tons. As a result, USS North Carolina and its sister, USS Washington, were redesigned with a main battery of nine 16 guns. Supporting this battery were twenty 5 dual purpose guns as well as an initial installation of sixteen 1.1 anti-aircraft guns. In addition, the ships received the new RCA CXAM-1 radar. Designated BB-55, North Carolina was laid down at the New York Naval Shipyard on October 27, 1937. Work progressed on the hull and the battleship slid down the ways on June 3, 1940 with Isabel Hoey, daughter of the Governor of North Carolina, serving as sponsor. USS North Carolina (BB-55) - Overview Nation: United StatesType: BattleshipShipyard: New York Naval ShipyardLaid Down: October 27, 1937Launched: June 13, 1940Commissioned: April 9, 1941Fate: Museum ship at Wilmington, NC Specifications: Displacement: 34,005 tonsLength: 728.8 ft.Beam: 108.3 ft.Draft: 33 ft.Propulsion: 121,000 hp, 4 x General Electric steam turbines, 4 x propellersSpeed: 26 knotsRange: 20,080 miles at 15 knotsComplement: 2,339 men Armament Guns 9 Ãâ€" 16 in.(410 mm)/45 cal. Mark 6 guns (3 x triple turrets)20 Ãâ€" 5 in (130 mm)/38 cal. dual-purpose guns60 x quad 40mm antiaircraft guns46 x single 20mm cannon Aircraft 3 x aircraft Early Service Work on North Carolina ended in early 1941 and the new battleship was commissioned on April 9, 1941 with Captain Olaf M. Hustvedt in command. As the US Navys first new battleship in nearly twenty years, North Carolina quickly became a center of attention and earned the enduring nickname Showboat. Through the summer of 1941, the ship conducted shakedown and training exercises in the Atlantic. With the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the US entry into World War II, North Carolina prepared to sail for the Pacific. The US Navy soon delayed this movement as there was concern that the German battleship Tirpitz might emerge to attack Allied convoys. Finally released to the US Pacific Fleet, North Carolina passed through the Panama Canal in early June, just days after the Allied triumph at Midway. Arriving at Pearl Harbor after stops at San Pedro and San Francisco, the battleship began preparations for combat in the South Pacific. South Pacific Departing Pearl Harbor on July 15 as part of a task force centered on the carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6) North Carolina steamed for the Solomon Islands. There it supported the landing of US Marines on Guadalcanal on August 7. Later in the month, North Carolina provided anti-aircraft support for the American carriers during the Battle of the Eastern Solomons. As Enterprise sustained significant damage in the fighting, the battleship began serving as an escort for USS Saratoga (CV-3) and then USS Wasp (CV-7) and USS Hornet (CV-8). On September 15, the Japanese submarine I-19 attacked the task force. Firing a spread of torpedoes, it sunk Wasp and the destroyer USS OBrien as well as damaged North Carolinas bow. Though the torpedo opened a large hole on the ships port side, the ships damage control parties quickly dealt with the situation and averted a crisis. Arriving at New Caledonia, North Carolina received temporary repairs before departing for Pearl Harbor. There, the battleship entered drydock to fix the hull and its anti-aircraft armament was enhanced. Tarawa Returning to service after a month in the yard, North Carolina spent much of 1943 screening American carriers in the vicinity of the Solomons. This period also saw the ship receive new radar and fire control equipment. On November 10, North Carolina sailed from Pearl Harbor with Enterprise as part of the Northern Covering Force for operations in the Gilbert Islands. In this role, the battleship provided support for Allied forces during the Battle of Tarawa. After bombarding Nauru in early December, North Carolina screened USS Bunker Hill (CV-17)when its aircraft attacked New Ireland. In January 1944, the battleship joined Rear Admiral Marc Mitschers Task Force 58. Island Hopping Covering Mitschers carriers, North Carolina also provided fire support for troops during the Battle of Kwajalein in late January. The following month, it protected the carriers as they mounted raids against Truk and the Marianas. North Carolina continued in this capacity for much of the spring until returning to Pearl Harbor for repairs on its rudder. Emerging in May, it rendezvoused with American forces at Majuro before sailing for the Marianas as part of Enterprises task force. Taking part in the Battle of Saipan in mid-June, North Carolina struck a variety of targets ashore. Upon learning that the Japanese fleet was approaching, the battleship departed the islands and protected American carriers during the Battle of the Philippine Sea on June 19-20. Remaining in the area until the end of the month, North Carolina then departed for the Puget Sound Navy Yard for a major overhaul. Finished in late October, North Carolina rejoined Admiral William Bull Halseys Task Force 38 at Ulithi on November 7. Final Battles Shortly thereafter, it endured a severe period at sea as TF38 sailed through Typhoon Cobra. Surviving the storm, North Carolina supported operations against Japanese targets in the Philippines as well as screened raids against Formosa, Indochina, and the Ryukyus. After escorting carriers on a raid on Honshu in February 1945, North Carolina turned south to provided fire support for Allied forces during the Battle of Iwo Jima. Shifting west in April, the ship fulfilled a similar role during the Battle of Okinawa. In addition to striking targets ashore, North Carolinas anti-aircraft guns aided in dealing with the Japanese kamikaze threat. Later Service Retirement After a brief overhaul at Pearl Harbor in late spring, North Carolina returned to Japanese waters where it protected carriers conducting airstrikes inland as well as bombarded industrial targets along the coast. With the surrender of Japan on August 15, the battleship sent part of its crew and Marine Detachment ashore for preliminary occupation duty. Anchoring in Tokyo Bay on September 5, it embarked these men before departing for Boston. Passing through the Panama Canal on October 8, it reached its destination nine days later. With the end of the war, North Carolina underwent a refit at New York and began peacetime operations in the Atlantic. In the summer of 1946, it hosted the US Naval Academys summer training cruise in the Caribbean. Decommissioned on June 27, 1947, North Carolina remained on the Navy List until June 1, 1960. The following year, the US Navy transferred the battleship to the State of North Carolina for a price of $330,000. These funds were largely raised by the states school children and the ship was towed to Wilmington, NC. Work soon began to convert the ship into a museum and North Carolina was dedicated as a memorial to the states World War II veteran in April 1962.

Equality Is Not Ideal In Harrison Bergeron, By Kurt Vonnegut

Equality Is Not Ideal Kurt Vonnegut’s brilliant story, â€Å"Harrison Bergeron,† takes place in the year 2081. Thanks to the 211th, 212th, and 213th amendments â€Å"Nobody was better looking than anybody else. Nobody was stronger or quicker than anybody else†(Vonnegut 1). Everyone seems to have equal looks and abilities but to make this happen; they have to limit people so they can be equal to other people. People with natural beauty, gifted intelligence, or high strength have to use handicaps so they can be average like anyone else. They give people mental radios, masks, and sashweights so no one will get jealous. Because of these visible handicaps, people can tell who is stronger, prettier, and smarter. In the story, they describe one of the†¦show more content†¦Since people have handicaps, it is hard for them to be their self and good at something. When the television program was interrupted the announcer â€Å"like all announcers, he had a serious speech impedimentâ₠¬ (Vonnegut 3). The announcer eventually gave up speaking on the announcement because his handicap was making it hard for him to speak, so he gave it to a ballerina to read. And when George watches the ballerinas dance he realizes that â€Å"they weren’t really very good- no better than anybody else would have been, anyway. They were burdened with sashweights and bags of birdshot, and their faces were masked†(Vonnegut 1). This quote shows that they were just as good as anyone else would have been since they were weighted down by birdshot and their beautiful faces were masked so no one would be jealous of them. The two other reasons complete equality is not possible and not ideal is because society cannot develop and people can tell who is better than who by looking at their handicaps. Since people have these handicaps, everyone has equal ability, and everyone is mediocre. There is no one with ideas or visions for the future. Without unique people with ideas and thoughts, society cannot develop or build. This leaves everyone feeling stuck in the same year forever since there is no process being made. The world can not become a better place or change if everyone has to stay equal. People who have above average beauty, smarts, or strength haveShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Kurt Vonnegut Jr. s Harrison Bergeron1500 Words   |  6 Pagesthe actions of others, as we make choices in an effort to satisfy others and ourselves. Kurt Vonnegut Jr.’s â€Å"Harrison Bergeron† offers a dark insight into an idealistic utopia, and the consequences of a ruthlessly equitable society. Although equ ality provides a beneficial component to a desirable society, forcing it upon society would ultimately be at the expense of individuality. Initially, Harrison Bergeron is physically constrained by society, however through his willful arrogance and determinationRead More`` Harrison Bergeron `` By Kurt Vonnegut Jr.1184 Words   |  5 Pages â€Å"Harrison Bergeron† by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. gives the world a glance at the horrors of enforced equality through its simplistic and blunt storytelling. Stephen Moore and Peter Ferrara discussed in The American Spectator how â€Å"Harrison Bergeron† shows how â€Å"a society that puts equality ahead of freedom and prosperity will be in the end an unhappy one† (30). Therefore, it is easy to reason that any attempt to craft a utopia through government enforcement will end in only brutality and absurdity. VonnegutRead MoreThe Life Of Harrison Bergeron By Kurt Vonnegut Jr.892 Words   |  4 PagesFor this paper assignment I will be discussing the short story of Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. The short story was published in 1961. I chose this short story out of all our readings because I found the story very interesting. When I was reading Harrison Bergeron, I read straight through it because the story drew me in and in the other readings I would usually take a few breaks as I was reading. In Harrison Bergeron, Vonnegut uses humor to explore and exposes several problems that can happenRead MoreHandicap Each to His Ability1129 Words   |  5 Pages Kurt Vonnegut paints a picture of American society 120 years past 1961. Society has made a gradual change, but it is a drastic one nonetheless. After nearly two hundred amendments to the constitution, everyone is supposed to be equal in every way. â€Å"Nobody was smarter than anybody else. Nobody was better looking than anybody else. Nobody was stronger or quicker than anybody else.† (232 Vonnegut). In this landscape Vonnegut shows that people wi ll never be completely equal, and trying to force equalityRead MoreHarrison Bergeron By Kurt Vonnegut Analysis936 Words   |  4 PagesLaw and Order: Symbolism in Kurt Vonnegut â€Å"Harrison Bergeron† Can society truly exist with everyone being equal? For decades, society fought for equality dealing with the issues of race, gender, and religion. In â€Å"Harrison Bergeron†, Kurt Vonnegut explores the concept of being equal in every aspect of their life in the futuristic world of 2081. With equality being forced on American society , Vonnegut focuses on how the government create equality by altering beauty, strength, and intelligence. EveryoneRead MoreHarrison Bergeron By Kurt Vonnegut707 Words   |  3 PagesHarrison Bergeron by â€Å"Kurt Vonnegut† is set in the year 2081, where all the people have been made equal through mental and physical handicaps. No one is slower, weaker, or smarter than anyone else. Harrison Bergeron who is taken from is family when he was fourteen years old has escaped. He takes off is handicaps, declares himself emperor and chooses one of the ballerinas to become his empress. After dancing and flying, Handicap General Diana Moon Glampers s hoots them both dead. The theme of thisRead MoreThe Subject Of `` Harrison Bergeron By Kurt Vonnegut1507 Words   |  7 PagesThe subject of â€Å"Harrison Bergeron† by Kurt Vonnegut is equality. The theme of this short story is that society should make an effort to value individuality and fairness, in which everyone receives what they need to prosper, instead of universal equality. The forms used to elevate this subject and theme are point of view, syntax, characterization, irony, and humor. The point of view in â€Å"Harrison Bergeron† is third person with limited insight. The focal character is George Bergeron, the titular character’sRead MoreTheme Analysis : Harrison Bergeron907 Words   |  4 PagesENC1102 18 September, 2016 Theme Analysis: Harrison Bergeron In the literary piece â€Å"Harrison Bergeron† by Kurt Vonnegut, we enter a futuristic dystopian society in which all citizens have been forced into equality by a government that rules with corrupt omnipotence. From the very beginning of his hauntingly prophetic tale, Vonnegut lures us in by revealing what our society has devolved into at the hands of the wrong system in power. In the name of equality, the attractive are mutilated, the strongRead MoreDefinition Of Handicap In Harrison Bergeron, By Kurt Vonnegut1052 Words   |  5 Pagesensure equality. Both, Harrison Bergeron and Maysoon Zayid, revolve around being a handicap. Whereas one person takes on handicaps due to the law, and the other struggle to overcome them. Vonnegut and Maysoon both use language to express their ideas. Handicap has a huge impact on the society of Harrison Bergeron and the reality we live in, from what the word means to how people overcome it, Maysoon and Vonnegut both use humor to show the worl d what being handicap means to them. Harrison BergeronRead More Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut Essay522 Words   |  3 PagesHarrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut In Harrison Bergeron Kurt Vonnegut depicts a society in which everyone is mentally, physically, and socially equal. Throughout the history of our country, Americans have sought racial, gender, and socio-economic equality. On paper such a society seems ideal. Through the story one might infer that Vonnegut views the concept of total equality as ludicrous. Equality can be interpreted many ways. One point of view is the American belief that everybody

Risk Management and Present Value of Investment

Question: 1. Write a short essay each of the following questions. For each question, illustrate with an appropriate example in your answer.a. Risk aversion implies that corporate managers will only invest in low risk investments. Critically evaluate this statement (indicate whether you agree or disagree in your answer).b. Is it possible for an ordinary annuity to have the same present value as perpetuity if the cash flows and discount rates are identical? Explain. Answer: 1.a) The Investment process has a degree of inherited risks that cannot be avoided. Risk is defined in terms of variability of return from a given investments. It is also defined as the probability that the expected return will differ from the actual return. The greater risk implies a greater variability of outcomes whereas lesser risk implies a lesser variability of returns (DeFusco et al., 2015). The risks that are faced by corporate managers can be classified into specific risks and systematic risks. The risk associated with an individual investment can be termed as specific risk and it can be eliminated through proper diversifications. There is always a risk that secured investments can also lose value and this type of risk is called systematic risks (Nakano et al., 2014). The understanding of the relationship between risk and return is very important for investment and they are: If the investor were willing to take more risk then, the investor would expect higher returns. If the investor is unwilling to take higher risks then the investor should accept lower returns. The relationship between the risk and return therefore provides that if an investment has more risk then, it should offer higher returns. Otherwise, it would be prudent to invest in risk free investment where it can get low return for low risks. The degree of risk that a corporation is willing to take depends on how risk averse is the investing manager of that corporation. There are certain individuals that undertake a higher degree of risk for generating a little extra return. The risk averse corporate managers on the other hand are not unwilling to take risks but they requires a higher return for risky investments. The risk averse corporate managers insist that there should be a premium or additional compensation for taking risks (Brealey et al., 2012). The statement provided in the question that risk averse corporate managers will only invest in low risk investment is not correct. As it can be seen from the discussion above that a risk averse corporate managers require a higher return for taking higher risk. In conclusion, it can be said that risk aversion therefore does not imply that no risky investment will be made. It only suggests that risky investment should be adequately compensated with higher returns to justify the higher risk. For example if there are two investment opportunity A and B. The beta of A being 1.2 is risky investment and beta of B 0.80 is low risk investment. Therefore, if the return from both the investment is same then a risk averse corporate manager will invest in B because it will receive same return with low risks. A risk averse corporate manager will only invest in A if it offers a higher return than B. 1. b) The present value represents the current monetary value of payments that is to be received in future. It describes the future sum of money that is worth today. This principal of present value can be applied to the finite series of annual payments that is annuity. It can also be applied theoretically to infinite number of future payments that is perpetuity (Kashyap, 2014). An annuity may be defined as the series of equal cash flows that is received at equal intervals for a finite number of periods. The Annuities are of two types depending on the timing of the payment ordinary annuities and annuity due. In case of ordinary annuities, payments are made at the end of the specific time period. For example if $1000.00 is to be received yearly in the form of annuity. Then in the case of ordinary annuity, this $1000.00 is to be received after one year and in case of annuity due this $1000.00 will be received at the beginning of the year. The annuities whether ordinary annuity or annuity due does not continue forever and they are for specific period. Perpetuity on the other hand does not have any specific period. Perpetuity can be explained as a series of equal payments that is to be received forever (Xingyun, 2015). The present value of an annuity is calculated by using the following formula: PV= (P/r) (1-(1+r) ^ -n) Here P stands for payment received each period, n stands for number of period and r stands for the interest rate or discounting factor. For example, if an annuity of $1500.00 is received annually for 10 years. If the rate of interest per annum is 3.5% then the Present value of the annuity will be: PV= (1500/0.035)(1-1.035^-10) = $127474.91 When the annual payment continues forever then the annuity becomes perpetuity (Wicksell, 2013). The present value of perpetuity is calculated by using the following formula: PV=P/r Here P stands for payment received at the end of each period and r is the discounting rate or interest rate. Continuing with the above example the present value of perpetuity for $1500.00 at 3.5% rate would be: PV= 1500/0.035 = $42857.14 Based on the above discussion and by the help of the example it can be concluded that present value of annuity and perpetuity cannot be identical even if the rate of interest and the cash flows are identical. Reference Brealey, R. A., Myers, S. C., Allen, F., Mohanty, P. (2012).Principles of corporate finance. Tata McGraw-Hill Education. DeFusco, R. A., McLeavey, D. W., Pinto, J. E., Anson, M. J., Runkle, D. E. (2015).Quantitative investment analysis. John Wiley Sons. Kashyap, A. (2014). Capital Allocating Decisions: Time Value of Money.Asian Journal of Management,5(1), 106-110. Nakano, M., Otsubo, F., Takasu, Y. (2014).Effects of Accounting Conservatism on Corporate Investment Levels, Risk Taking, and Shareholder Value(No. 14-E-10). Institute for Monetary and Economic Studies, Bank of Japan. Wicksell, K. (2013).Interest and prices: a study of the causes regulating the value of money. Read Books Ltd. Xingyun, P. E. N. G. (2015). Time Value of Money.World Scientific Book Chapters, 49-70.

Narcissism Essays - Narcissism, Otto F. Kernberg,

Narcissism The so-called narcissistic personality disorder is a complex and often misunderstood disorder. The cardinal feature of the narcissistic personality is the grandiose sense of self importance, but paradoxically underneath this grandiosity the narcissist suffers from a chronically fragile low self esteem. The grandiosity of the narcissist, however, is often so pervasive that we tend to dehumanize him or her. The narcissist conjures in us images of the mythological character Narcissus who could only love himself, rebuffing anyone who attempted to touch him. Nevertheless, it is the underlying sense of inferiority which is the real problem of the narcissist, the grandiosity is just a facade used to cover the deep feelings of inadequacy. The Makeup of the Narcissistic Personality The narcissist`s grandiose behavior is designed to reaffirm his or her sense of adequacy. Since the narcissist is incapable of asserting his or her own sense of adequacy, the narcissist seeks to be admired by others. However, the narcissist`s extremely fragile sense of self worth does not allow him or her to risk any criticism. Therefore, meaningful emotional interactions with others are avoided. By simultaneously seeking the admiration of others and keeping them at a distance the narcissist is usually able to maintain the illusion of grandiosity no matter how people respond. Thus, when people praise the narcissist his or her grandiosity will increase, but when criticized the grandiosity will usually remain unaffected because the narcissist will devalue the criticizing person. Akhtar (1989) [as cited in Carson & Butcher, 1992; P. 271] discusses six areas of pathological functioning which characterize the narcissist. In particular, four of these narcissistic character traits best illustrate the pattern discussed above. " (1) a narcissistic individual has a basic sense of inferiority, which underlies a preoccupation with fantasies of outstanding achievement; (2) a narcissistic individual is unable to trust and rely on others and thus develops numerous, shallow relationships to extract tributes from others;(3) a narcissistic individual has a shifting morality-always ready to shift values to gain favor; and (4) a narcissistic person is unable to remain in love, showing an impaired capacity for a committed relationship". The Therapeutic Essence of Treating Narcissism The narcissist who enters therapy does not think that there is something wrong with him or her. Typically, the narcissist seeks therapy because he or she is unable to maintain the grandiosity which protects him or her from the feelings of despair. The narcissist views his or her situation arising not as a result of a personal maladjustment; rather it is some factor in the environment which is beyond the narcissist`s control which has caused his or her present situation. Therefore, the narcissist expects the therapist not to cure him or her from a problem which he or she does not perceive to exist, rather the narcissist expects the therapist to restore the protective feeling of grandiosity. It is therefore essential for the therapist to be alert to the narcissists attempts to steer therapy towards healing the injured grandiose part, rather than exploring the underlying feelings of inferiority and despair. Differential Psychological Views of Narcissism The use of the term narcissism in relation to psychological phenomena was first made by Ellis in 1898. Ellis described a special state of auto-erotism as Narcissus like, in which the sexual feelings become absorbed in self admiration (Goldberg, 1980). The term was later incorporated into Freuds psychoanalytic theory in 1914 in his essay On Narcissism. Freud conceptualized narcissism as a as a sexual perversion involving a pathological sexual love to ones own body (Sandler & Person, 1991). Henceforth, several psychological theories have attempted to explain and treat the narcissistic phenomenon. Specifically, the most comprehensive psychological theories have been advanced by the psychodynamic perspective and to a lesser extent the Jungian (analytical) perspective. Essentially, both theories cite developmental problems in childhood as leading to the development of the narcissistic disorder. The existential school has also attempted to deal with the narcissistic problem, although the available literature is much smaller. Existentialists postulate that society as a whole can be the crucial factor in the development of narcissism. The final perspective to be discussed is the humanistic approach which although lacking a specific theory on narcissism, can nevertheless be applied to the narcissistic disorder. In many ways the humanistic approach to narcissism echoes the sentiments of the psychodynamic approach. The Psychodynamic Perspective of Narcissism The psychodynamic model of narcissism is dominated by two overlapping schools of thought, the self psychology school and the object relations school. The self psychology school, represented by Kohut, posits that narcissism is a component of everyones psyche. We are all born as narcissists