Navy sub and amphib collide
Just when it seems like it couldn’t get any worse for the U.S. Navy, the nuclear submarine USS HARTFORD collided with the amphibious ship USS NEW ORLEANS in the Strait of Hormuz at 1 AM local on the 19th of March. After embarrassing engineering problems with the Navy’s newest amphib class kept the USS San Antonio at the dock in Bahrain for months, the grounding of a guided missile cruiser right outside Pearl Harbor, and several deadly accidents in the sub fleet, another apparently avoidable accident has marred the reputation of the fleet. The Navy Times is reporting that 15 sailors aboard the HARTFORD suffered minor injuries, and were able to return to duty. No injuries were reported aboard the NEW ORLEANS.
The Strait of Hormuz
The incident apparently occurred in in the Strait of Hormuz while the sub was submerged at a shallow depth. The collision ruptured at least two ballast tanks and a fuel tank on the NEW ORLEANS, spilling approximately 25,000 gallons of diesel. The HARTFORD suffered what appears to be extensive damage to the sail and bow plane. The reactor aboard the sub was reportedly not damaged.
The damaged USS Hartford underway after the collision (U.S. Navy Photo)
It will be interesting to read the post-accident report on this incident. I would be interested in learning how or why the HARTFORD allowed itself to get so close to a surface contact, particularly a friendly contact. It does not appear they were engaged in exercise maneuvers at the time of the incident.
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