Posted on 01/08/2005 3:19:47 AM PST by Jet Jaguar
HONOLULU (AP) - A nuclear submarine ran aground about 350 miles south of Guam, injuring several sailors, one of them critically, the Navy said.
There were no reports of damage to the USS San Francisco's reactor plant, which was operating normally, the Navy said.
Jon Yoshishige, a spokesman for the U.S. Pacific Fleet based at Pearl Harbor, said the Friday afternoon incident is under investigation and the 360-foot submarine was headed back to its home port in Guam.
Details on the sailors' injuries were not immediately available. The sub has a crew of 137, officials said.
Military and Coast Guard aircraft from Guam were en route to monitor the submarine and assist if needed, the Navy said.
Guam is a U.S. territory about 3,700 miles southwest of Hawaii.
---
On the Net:
U.S. Pacific Fleet: http://www.cpf.navy.mil
AP-ES-01-08-05 0343EST
Here is an updated story
Nuclear Submarine Runs Aground; 20 Hurt
U.S. Pacific Fleet
Jan 8, 2005 : 2:21 pm ET
HONOLULU -- A nuclear submarine ran aground about 350 miles south of Guam, injuring around 20 sailors, one of them critically, the Navy said.
There were no reports of damage to the USS San Francisco's reactor plant, which was operating normally, the Navy said.
The 360-foot submarine was headed back to its home port in Guam, and the Friday afternoon incident was under investigation, said Jon Yoshishige, a spokesman for the Pacific Fleet based at Pearl Harbor.
He said there was no information yet on what the submarine struck.
Details on the sailors' injuries were not immediately available, but Yoshishige said an initial assessment put the number injured at around 20. The sub has a crew of 137, officials said.
Navy and Coast Guard aircraft from Guam were en route to monitor the submarine and assist if needed, the Navy said.
Guam is a U.S. territory about 3,700 miles southwest of Hawaii.
http://www.herald-sun.com/firstnews/37-563191.html
Sure... but that doesn't mean the whole plate moves. If it did... you would notice more than one earthquake.
Also, I think it was the Indian Ocean side of the fault that slipped - different plate.
I resemble that remark... Actually, there was a transition... I was on a 640 Class (656 boat) we had dual SINS and a single ESGM (monitor)
get qualified! ;)
The underlying plate (compression) moves under the upper VERY slowly building up forces on the upper plate.
Also, I think it was the Indian Ocean side of the fault that slipped - different plate.
I think you are correct from my memory. When it 'slipped', the mass 'fell' causing a water displacement.
Wow! There seem to be a bunch of bubbleheads around here. Put me on your list please.
The going aground of this submarine was not related in any way to the earthquake.
It ain't a terrific thing for us non-Navy mariners either. Ruins your whole day.
Navigation by Braille is rarely career-enhancing. When I got to my first boat, there were still people around that remembered when they bounced off an uncharted mountain. They made it back to port with the torpedo room pressurized and half-full of water.
Yeah... but it's hard for the "other guy" to be at fault when you hit the ground. :)
Doesn't mean the sub and/or her skipper necessarily screwed up... but it's the first assumption.
We should all wait for more information.
My info comes from a co-worker that is Ex-Sub.
(but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night)
IF the reactor is not cooled (the only medium for cooling is seawater) then reactor damage can occur. Nuclear Engineering 101.
You are over-simplifying the systems involved in operating the reactor plant. I am not going into the specifics but there are emergency cooling methods and procedures that can be employed that are independant of the MSW system. 28 years as a Reactor Operator on these boats from 578 class through 726 class.
I never minded being called a bubblehead, especially by another on. I also never minded reminding the Marines that the only good marine is a submarine. Sorry if I hurt your feelings.
"The Caroline Islands are volcanic in origin, but I'm unaware of any current volcanic activity"
That's because there isn't any. I was in the Carolines not long ago- not an active volcano to be found.
From NASA:
"Studies of the Eastern Caroline Islands in the western Pacific indicate that the islands were formed by a hot spot located near the paleoequator between 1 and 11 Ma. The islands show a linear progression by mean ages from 1 Ma in the east (Kusaie) to 11 Ma in the west (Truk). The results of volumetric measurements and geochemical studies suggest that the hot spot source is waning and perhaps was slowly dying during the time Truk, Ponape, and Kusaie were being formed".
You are over-simplifying the systems involved in operating the reactor plant.
That was my intent.
I am not going into the specifics but there are emergency cooling methods and procedures that can be employed that are independant of the MSW system.
I mentioned those in my #560 to YOU. Maybe you missed that one.
But still cooled by seawater, right! Navy Nuke SSN 652, CVAN 65, BS, ME Nuclear Engineering.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.