Posted on 02/09/2023 6:08:12 AM PST by Bull Snipe
1799: During the Quasi-War with France, USS Constellation, commanded by Capt. Thomas Truxtun, captures the French frigate l’Insurgente off Saint Kitts and Nevis Island.
2001: While surfacing, the USS Greeneville SSN-772 accidentally strikes and sinks the Ehime-Maru, a Japanese training vessel operated by the Uwajima Fishery High School; nine the Ehime-Maru's crew members were killed, including four high school students.
I’ve always wonder how the sub wasn’t aware of the Fishery Vessel. Unless it had been just drifting for at least an hour, the Greenville’s sonar should have heard it. On a boat like the Greenville or any other boat the Captain and the COB set the tone. While not believing in omens or the supernatural, mostly, this boat was christened by Tipper Gore. That would explain it all.
from what I read about the incident, the sub had VIPs onboard for a day. The CO was doing an emergency surfacing for the guests. Those officers and crew just did not their jobs correctly, resulting in the collision. If I rember correctly, the CO, XO, Conning Officer, and Sonar supervisors were all sacked.
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