where vehicles are left to die
here are some examples of vehicle cemeteries around the world, areas on earth that have unwittingly become the home to rusting, unused machines - remember, this is just a selection of the many boneyards on earth and while they often look stunning and make for a great photo, the environmental costs far outweigh the view.
(photos found on flickr link to source)
- ships
bay of nouadhibou, mauritania
welcome to the bay of nouadhibou, mauritania, an area containing over 300 ships which have been abandoned during the last 20 years.
until recently the attraction of this particular area for frustrated boat owners was, unsurprisingly, money. in order to avoid the high costs needed to discard a ship properly, people from all around the globe slowly realised that the harbour authority in this particular bay was corrupt and would turn a blind eye to any decaying vessel in return for a cheeky backhander.
the result can be seen below. it’s a surreal, haunting image. there’s an unembeddable clip of some of the dead ships here.
have a look on google maps here.
- mining vehicles
consolidated diamond mine, oranjemund, namibia
i found this brilliant photo on flickr (click pic to go source) and, according to the description, once a piece of mining equipment or a mining vehicle enters the consolidated diamond mine in oranjemund, namibia, it’s never allowed to leave. for that reason there’s a huge vehicle graveyard near the mine. considering the mine apparently owns the largest private earthmoving fleet in the world, that must be a huge boneyard.
i’ve had a look on google maps for the boneyard but the area is massive. the picture below is of a collection of machinery i found - whether it’s the correct collection i don’t know. take a look on google maps here.
- planes
amarc/the boneyard, tuscon, arizona
home to over 4000 aircraft, amarc (aerospace maintenance and regeneration center) is managed by the us airforce material command who claim to carry out ‘a continual process of anti-corrosion and re-preservation work’ in order to stop the unused aircraft damaging the surrounding environment. whether that’s the case or not, i don’t know.
either way, it’s an immense amount of aircraft in such a relatively small area.
take a look on google maps here.
a drive through the area…
- trains
train cemetery, uyuni, bolivia
a kilometre outside the town of uyuni in bolivia is the train cemetery, a resting place for dozens of old steam engines along a short length of unused track. pretty much all of the trains are comlpetely covered in rust and way beyond any kind of repair, the eerie sight attracting a large number of tourists each year who have come to the area to see the world’s largest salt flats (salar de uyuni) and a few locals on the hunt for scrap metal.
the area on google maps can be found here.
- nuclear-propelled submarines
various harbours, far east russia
frightening but true.
following the cold war, russia is now home to the largest fleet of nuclear-propelled submarines in the world, a large percentage of these currently out of service and residing in harbours on the eastern coast of russia in various states of decay, the main reason for the neglect apparently being lack of funds. these areas have become known as the ’submarine cemeteries’.
here are some photos from just a couple of these harbours.
above: 2 unused submarines at zvezda shipyard.
below: a similar scene on google maps. direct link here.
above: submarine reactor compartment units floating in chazma bay.
below: a simliar view on google maps. link here.
Filed under: automotive, controversial, geography, photo, politics, scary, technology, wow |
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That’s crazy. I drive by the Tucson boneyard all the time. We make aerospace parts, so it’s bittersweet to see so many good planes sitting there.
http://www.foxbat.ru/maks/chernobil/index.php?picid=chernobil_04
The radioactive vehicles abandoned after the accident in Chernobyl are another chilling collection.
Hello ! From what i’ve know, the aircraft on AMARC are used to maintain others current in active duty, like B-52, A-10, etc Others are converted into drones for aerial targeting, not to mention that sometimes they are sold to allied countries and used for many years.
The fact that they are stored doenst mean that its over, and outdated, some are stored because of defence cuts or airbase closures/units/squadrons.
Im not 100 % sure, but I recall reading couple of years ago, Israel buying some first generation F-16 put it to fly, upgraded them with news systems and giving it a new life.
Our (Portuguese) F-16 are now with the latest Mid Life Upgrade, brand new, and they were previously on AMARC.
You see, in the case of P-3 Orions and Boeing 707, and others that still fly but theres no more support cause the line was shut years ago, are regularly fetch with spares coming from AMARC.
Sorry for the long explanation! ;D
I do feel sad cause some of the planes were true beautys, and now they look like mummies.
Another thing I forgot to add, open http://maps.live.com/ search for the Davis Monthan Air Force Base, (AMARC) Tucson, and click on the left icon, Bird’s Eye View… it will give you a unique view of the complex ;D A must see !
Amazing story!
Once I travelled through Russia by train. East of Lake Baikal one can see a lot of stored locomotives, some of them are really really oldies. There are also large military plane graveyards, similar to the Tucson area.
Why do they need the news in air planes?
Cool info and great photo’s. So much for recycling.
Corey Cotta, Author of All of Yesterdays Tomorrows.
“submarine reactor compartment units floating in chazma bay.”
… what could go wrong?
I remember driving past the Tucson bone yard while visiting my grandparents many years ago. It was crazy to see a row of 30 F-4 Phantoms in various forms of deterioration and salvage.
In the case of AMARC, t-stoff is correct. AMARC destroys aircraft in an environmentally sound way and keeps the parts out of potentially dangerous hands. Further, many of the aircraft stored at AMARC, (B-52’s) are there to comply with international arms treaties - another good thing. Finally, many aircraft are routinely salvaged for spare parts for operational aircraft = recycling and saves $ = both good things.
The other sites are sad but true examples of typical neglect and short-term thinking. The steel, copper and other valuable metals alone could make salvage a lucrative operation for the right company.
Very nice find. I wonder if some creative entrepreneur can make use and create some kind of business based around these.
Surprisingly there is no mention of the ship graveyard in Suisun Bay, California. Cruise ships, aircraft carriers, USS Iowa, freighters, etc.
http://creativesomething.com/photo%20mb%201.html
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=38.071406,-122.0963&spn=0.023413,0.040169&t=k&z=15&om=1
Salvage operations are very expensive due to all the hazards involved. This is especially true for old equipment which may have toxic materials in them. Its a necessary task, but it suffers from NIMBY. If I recall a year or so ago, a company tried to get a ship broken down, and they ended up having all sorts of problems: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/5237334.stm
US Navy “Mothball” fleet near Oakland California:
http://tinyurl.com/ruad2
http://tinyurl.com/2ag3mc
I love going down to Davis Monthan to see the dinosaurs (I’m in Phoenix). There’s a great airplane museum across the street too. I do know they recycle parts there because you can see lots of gutted planes as you drive by. Also, how would one recycle a nuclear sub? And, definitely don’t drink that water.
“Surprisingly there is no mention of the ship graveyard in Suisun Bay, California. ”
It’s not a ‘graveyard’ - those ships are actively maintained and can be put into service within 5 days.
See the links “Aaron” posted, there’s an SF Gate article about them.
there are more boat crashes here
http://fogonazos.blogspot.com/2006/11/shipwrecks-on-coast-of-mauritania.html
That is some deep bullshit about the submarines - not one is nuclear related.
those are all diesel-electric, and the “reactor compartments” are NOT reactor compartments. All Diesel refueling tanks!
I’ve spent 25 years working with the US navy submarine fleet and you are woefully mis-informed or are trying to generate some kind of anti-nuclear sentiment.
david kraft - fuck off with that tone and congratulations on the 25 yrs service, i’ll remember to come to you next time i wanna post anything related to war or technology.
i’ve included links to the sources of most of the info: read ‘em before you accuse me of generating ‘anti-nuclear sentiment’.
http://www.cscap.nuctrans.org/Nuc_Trans/links/cold-war-legacy.htm
There’s a boneyard somewhere up in northern Wisconsin where dead Dodge Vipers go to die… I’ve seen it from the air a couple of times.
Wow, Deputy Dog chill out.
I haven’t spent any time in the military but I got the same vibe Dave Kraft did from your comments on the dead Russian diesel subs.
But then, again, its your forum and I guess you can act as crude as you want.
Thanks for the images.
chilling out isn’t needed.
the source links are there for a reason - to illustrate that i haven’t made this information up.
…because i found it on t3h intertubes, it MUST be true.
nuclear is greener than most “green” energy is at this point - arguably more sustainable.
regardless, awesome collection of pics.
Why did they take the time to paint all the windows white in the Arizona Plane Graveyard?
deputydog is a real internet tough guy!! :O
Another ship mothball location in the James River, http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=newport+news,+va&ie=UTF8&ll=37.120427,-76.639509&spn=0.048044,0.10849&t=k&z=14&om=1
I was wondering about those white painted (wrapped in plastic?) aircraft cockpits too… maybe because they are actually ready to fly and not easy accessible this way? Or that nobody just starts the engines for fun…?
Delmore:
Its not really paint. There are three layers of a rubber black rubber coating with three layers of white rubber coating. They call it spraylat. I think they use it on roofs in the desert too. Bottom line, they have to use that to keep out moisture (it does rain in tucson sometimes), but more importantly to keep the cockpit from overheating.
Delmore:
From my understanding, the windows are like that to prevent sun damage to the internal parts of the plane.
David Kraft is right, those look like foxtrot class diesel electric sub hulls.
Delmore, that is not white paint. It is cover that is placed on the windshields and other windows to keep the interior from deteriorating from the sun. These planes are salvaged by many countries and our own Armed Forces. These planes few with pride, and some have the ability to fly again.
@ delmore
Because its reflects the sun. Ever look inside a car that’s been sitting out in the Arizona sun for 10 years? It destroys the interior. With the windows white, the internal temperature is lower inside the plane, and coupled with the dry humidity, helps preserve planes for longer periods of time.
Good post
Amazing photos of the trains in BOLIVIA
At AMARC certain planes are intentionally left in pieces and and various stages of demo so that satellites from Russia can verify the dismantling of these planes under the SALT treaties. Then once verified they are totally dismantled. Since this is not a quick process to the casual viewer it seems like a disarrayed and non enviro friendly place that leaves Junk sitting and not recycled. Plus as others said most of the other plains are being slowly dismantled to provide spares for out of production parts. Plus this place is non Government. It is private sector. The planes are sold to them by the Government then the parts are salvaged, stored, refurbished and sold back to the government or foreign approved friendly governments all at a cheaper cost because of governmental regulations and pork and such for the armed forces to operate their own storage. This is a good place.
It is not paint on the windows of the planes, it is plastic. I believe that it is used to protect components from the sun.
I believe that some of the aircraft left out are bombers that were destroyed/disable or mothballed in accordance with the START and START II arms treaties. They were left outside so the Soviets could confirm by satellite imagery their status and confirm the number decommisioned.
delmore… i visited this boneyard for planes March 06.. on the tour of AMARC’s yard guide on the bus told us its not paint but a clay, like a thick tape material that seals up and bonds to keep the interior free of any moisture collecting.. that place is dope yo
yo Mab.. you mentioned there was a russian plane graveyard you saw from a train.. east of lake baikal.. what two cities were you riding between on that train?? Cuzzz am tryin to go see that.. be nice to see some Mig’s and bomber Bear’s
They’re not painted white - those are tarps to protect the cockpit glass from dust storms, etc.
I didn’t see any A10’s in the video, but there are tons of those too. I see those in the air quite often. Occasionally there’ll even be a stealth bomber flying around - now that’s a site to behold…
/tucson native
where is china people ? so much metall !!
Nice collection… Where’s the recyclers when you need them?
all pretty crazy, nice set. Liked the plane graveyard
Abandoned cars collection near Moscow:
http://feels.ru/2006/09/19/print:page,1,kladbishhe_avtomobilejj_29_foto.html
http://steer.ru/archives/2006/09/21/001953.php
Some photos of Chernobyl’ legacy:
quarantined vehicles + whole neglected city of Pripyat
http://netwind.ru/zone.html
amazing stuff here …
the photos are just great …
i wonder how deputydog goes about writing these articles …
collecting pics and stuff … hehe …
i wudnt mind a few on myblog too …
good work here …
Theres no sense to leave those machines to some empty area… they should make new one out of THOSE and not get new material..
A final attempt to settle the sub debate. The first picture contains two subs, the one on the right is indeed a disel-electric Foxtrot class (641) submarine. The on on the left (sinking) is Whiskey class sub seen from the stern.
The picture of two subs docked side by side are probably two ancient Echo class subs (659) though the extensive deconstruction makes it hard to be sure. Either way they’re first generation cruise missile carriers designed to carry long range anti-ship missiles. Later generations had more tear drop shaped hulls. The missile tubes and guidance systems have been removed in these pictures, along with targeting equipment from the sail.
A final twist of irony maybe, the picture of “reactor components” is indeed diesel tanks, steel reinforced concrete. They may well contain reactor components as such a tank would be a good place to store low-radition materials such as old tubes, irradiated steel components etc. They are not reactors but may well contain parts excluding the cores themselves.
/DB
In Murmansk, Russia there is over 100 nuclear powered submarines. If one of them exploded, it would contaminate most of Europe… And almost nobody cares about them… Quite frightening,
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/607175.stm
@ImFromFinland: I doubt the russians keep much of anything in a decomissioned sub. Anything even remotely salvageable gets removed (as seen in pictures above) and they sure as hell don’t leave any nuclear material on board, no missiles, no fuel for the reactors, no nothing.
If one of those subs where to blow up the only effect would probably be a slightly raised background radiation in the area around the base. This would be because there may be irradiated reactor components still in the submarine.
A scenario such as the one you’re refering to would require an active sub fully loaded with warhead carrying medium ranged missiles exploding on the surface and by some freak occurance reaching the huge preasure levels required for high grade weapons plutonium to reach it’s critical mass. This is so absurdly unlikely it’s not even funny. If I where you I’d be more worried about a regular nuclear meltdown in any of the many reactors in Russia or Sweden…
In the GoogleMaps pic for the Mauritania boats, you can see the huge oil slicks just pouring out of the harbor and away from the ships…. Sorry fishies.
Wow, how sad. You think most of these (when they were still barely operable), would have been worth the last trip to a scrapyard and sold for scrap.
The Russian nuclear submarine reactors, very scary!
Don’t FuCKK with Chernobyl AAAAAAAAAAAA S-T-A-=-L-K-E-R AAAAAAAAA
Oh, no! Stupid people.
There were tears in my eyes while looking at the planeyard.
Jesus! what a good collection… Amazing, but morbid
funny…….
fassza
Yea, we — Russians are horrible.
Like a Nuclear War, i think.
But I see a very small problem in this:
You have up the kazoo bombers and other planes in good condition, on the spetial airbase.
http://www.pokazuha.ru/view/topic.cfm?key_or=629313&lenta_type=4
With special cocpith-protection polymer on glass.
This is very good.
And our vehicle cemeteries?
Look here -
http://www.j4u.ru/2006/12/21/print:page,1,fighter_jets_cemetery.html
Chernobyl is`nt scary.
I am am frightened by another.
You have a magnificent reserve, and apply it during the necessary moment.
And we lay in ruins.
So who is The Evil Empire now?
I`m against war. And millions of Russifns - too.
Grandiose work of our grandfathers and fathers was vain.
Here is what results of war and mutual fear.
If we were not at war, and worked in common!
The world would become much better.
Probably, Mars would be our general house today.
Russian shuttle Spaceship - “Buran”
http://www.buran.ru/htm/mtkkmain.htm
http://www.buran.ru/htm/factory2.htm
Without war - to stars.
Mattias I. Mueller
mattias@inbox.ru
Русские есть здесь вообще?
Wow.. this is Amazing…
Sir,
amazing!
I am urging The Parishioners
to check your site
Blessings,
Le Rev Dr
http://www.lerevdr.wordpress.com
hmm nice.. photos, very colorful…
I work a transit yard, where buses are taken out of revenue service. Some are over 30 years old!!
[IMG]http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i67/Hypnotoad1/IMG_0033.jpg[/IMG]
May be I`m ignorant. Why cantThese things sold for crap meatls or be recycled by the government.why to waste huge resourses.