Posted on 01/28/2005 10:32:23 AM PST by presidio9
The Navy has published the first photographs of the damaged nuclear attack submarine USS San Francisco now in dry dock in Guam.
The submarine's front end was severely damaged when the submarine struck an undersea mountain 350 miles south of Guam on January 8.
Machinist Mate 2nd Class Joseph Allen Ashley, 24, of Akron, Ohio, died of injuries suffered in the accident, which occurred when the submarine was en route to Brisbane, Australia.
A Navy official said the submarine went into dry dock on January 26.
Divers cut off the sonar dome from the front end beforehand because it was "hanging," the official said, but otherwise the damage visible on the submarine occurred in the accident.
The pictures show extensive damage to the outer hull of the vessel, whose front end was virtually destroyed.
The inner hull was not penetrated.
The pictures also show a blue tarp covering classified equipment at the sub's front end.
The Navy official said it now appears the undersea mountain was not on the navigation charts the crew was using.
The incident remains under investigation, and the commander has been reassigned pending the outcome of that inquiry.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
More and better pics here:
http://www.navy.mil/view_gallery.asp?category_id=17
Ouch...that'll wake ya up in the morning...
Why would a nuuquler sub need that many batteries?
Not sure what your question about batteries is in reference to, but a nuke needs batteries in case of reactor problems. If your 500 feet down and the reactor scrams, you need a way of getting to the surface.
"Why would a nuuquler sub need that many batteries?"
Cushioning? (sarc)
The photo. I'm assuming the green boxes all contain batteries.
The green area you are looking at is just painted metal plating and structure supporting the sonar dome and sherical array. Also the front of the #1 main ballast tank.
...gives you an appreciation of all the fine MEN (no women in the silent service yet, thank God) who proudly wear a set of dolphins on their chests...if not for them, the ship would surely have been lost! (ex RM1/ss bubblehead)
Hard to believe that only one man died. That is some truly major damage.
Thank goodness for watertight integrity! I assume, unlike surface ships, all WT doors and hatches on subs are secured at all times.
I have great appreciation and fascination for the men who serve on subs. One of the most horrific ways of dying I can imagine is to be on an imploding submarine, deep beneath the surface...at night!
In looking at the pic, it appears the pressure hull might have been damaged. It appears there is a slight bulge just behind the painted metal plating. I know the external plating and pressure hull are separate, but I'm thinking the sub compressed slightly on impact, causing the bulge that is visible.
To power the video games if the main power is lost.
No, it's just a bulkhead between ballast tanks. That's all.
I doubt if any would really realize what hit them should/when that happens; the pressure/water shock would be so sudden and the sea would be merciful.
Under the sea, it's always night.
God bless our sailors...
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