Hail call Byron!

I have visions of oily rags all over the place and general gear-adrift issues.

A fire erupted early this morning in a first-in-its-class Navy warship nearing completion at Marinette Marine Corp. in Marinette.

The blaze broke out just before 5:30 a.m. in a berthing area where workers were using welding and grinding equipment, said Marinette Fire Lt. Bill Becker.

It was extinguished in about an hour. "It was a good size fire," Becker said. "I went through six teams of firefighters putting it out."

No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Fire officials did not immediately release a damage estimate.

The 377-foot ship, named Freedom, is being finished as it floats in the Menominee River.

It is the first-ever littoral combat ship, or LCS. About 80% completed, the combat ship is to be delivered to the Navy next year.

So many jokes, so little time.

Hat tip Ray.