Quote:
Originally Posted by Legbreaker
Far better to leave them where they are and if possible shift the badly damaged hulk with tugs to where it can be sunk in shallow water.
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You beat me to it. I've been meaning to post a similar comment since this thread started. I think that for coastal (and possibly riverine/lake) applications it would be most sensible ground the ship with the weapons in place. Or if the vessel is still marginally seaworthy just anchor (or otherwise secure) it in place. Then you can tow it to another location if operational requirements change. The vessel wouldn't need to be able to move under its own power but it would be very helpful if it still had its generators working to provide electrical and hydraulic power for turret traverse and elevation, heating, maybe even radio and radar. Just look at the situation of the USS Virginia in Satellite Down. It will probably never move again but it utterly dominates that small section of coastline (and provides electrical power for its little shore community).