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Martin
Secretary
Joined: 05 Mar 2005
Posts: 1428
Location: Waterloo, Liverpool
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 Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2006 1:07 pm Post subject: United States Navy |
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The following taken from This Is Devon website courtesy of Western Morning News
| Quote: | SAILORS KILLED IN NUCLEAR SUB FALL
MILES DAVIS
11:00 - 30 December 2006
Two crewmen were swept to their deaths from the deck of a nuclear submarine off the Westcountry coast yesterday.
The men were among four crew of the US nuclear submarine USS Minneapolis-St Paul who were washed into the sea in storm-force conditions. All were rescued but two later died from their injuries.
Police, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the US Navy were last night trying to find out how the tragedy could have happened on one of the most sophisticated vessels in the world.
One Westcountry submarine expert said it was clear something had gone "disastrously wrong" with the USS Minneapolis-St Paul's safety procedures.
The four men were on the submarine's outer casing as it left Plymouth yesterday following a week-long goodwill visit. As the Los Angeles-class attack submarine passed a breakwater that protects Plymouth Sound, it suddenly encountered Force 8 winds from the South West, and waves up to 20ft high.
Lt Cdr Charles Hattersley, a marine lawyer at Ashfords in Plymouth, who previously worked as a naval officer on various submarines for 12 years, said: "A submarine like this might have spent its time 1,500 metres under water chasing Russian subs but the most dangerous part of submarine life is when it's on the surface."
Mr Hattersley thought that the men might have been making sure that the casing - the outer shell of the submarine - was clear of any obstacles prior to taking to the open sea. "Normally, this process is very carefully controlled, especially in such bad weather," he said.
"It went disastrously wrong but it's very surprising that the correct safety procedures weren't in place."
The four crewmen are thought to have been attached to safety lines when the incident happened yesterday at about 1pm.
It is believed that after they went into the water, they were injured when the swell battered them against the side of the sub.
Mike Critchley, editor of Warship World, said last night: "My guess is that these four men would have been responsible for getting the pilot off the sub and securing the vessel to go out into open sea. When the weather is so bad extra security precautions have to be taken. You would expect the crew to be wearing full protective gear."
MoD police got the servicemen out of the water and immediately made attempts to resuscitate the unconscious sailors. All four were rushed to Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, but two were pronounced dead on arrival.
Brixham Coastguard said that at the time of the accident there was a Gale Force Eight wind and a swell of five-and-a-half to seven metres. Devon and Cornwall police confirmed that the USS Minneapolis-St Paul would now continue on its journey. Its next destination is unknown.
Petty Officer James Adams from the New London submarine base in the US said: "The comings and goings of submarines are classified information - we hold that very close to our chest.
The officer added: "Personally I'm quite torn up about what has happened."
Police said that they had launched a joint investigation with the MoD. The coroner has been informed.
The other two rescued servicemen have been discharged from hospital and were last night recovering in the sick bay at Plymouth naval base HMS Drake.
Lt Chris Servello from the American Sixth Fleet naval base in Naples, where the USS Minneapolis-St Paul is attached, said: "Four sailors fell overboard while the submarine was getting under way from Devonport.
"The four sailors were rescued by fellow crew members and British authorities and taken to a local hospital, where two of the sailors were pronounced dead.
"The two other sailors were treated for minor injuries and were later discharged. The names of the deceased will be released when next of kin have been informed."
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Our thoughts go to their families and shipmates following this tragic accident.
Your aye,
Martin Slater,
Secretary.
Last edited by Martin on Thu Nov 29, 2007 12:23 am; edited 3 times in total |
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Martin
Secretary
Joined: 05 Mar 2005
Posts: 1428
Location: Waterloo, Liverpool
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| Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2006 11:54 pm Post subject: Sailors Killed in Nuclear Sub Fall |
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I have sent the following E-mail to Mario Chavez, who is the webmaster of the USS St Paul Association website http://www.uss-saint-paul-ca73.com
| Quote: | Dear Mario.
On behalf of the Committee and Members of H.M.S. Plymouth Association, I would like to pass on our sincere condolences following the tragic accident which occurred on board the U.S.S. Minneapolis-St Paul whilst leaving Plymouth, UK yesterday.
The thoughts of all our members are with the families of the two sailors who so tragically lost their lives and with their shipmates who carry on without them.
I would be grateful if you would convey our sentiments to your members and to the submarine, if this is possible.
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Yours Aye,
Martin Slater,
Secretary.
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Your fly is open |
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Martin
Secretary
Joined: 05 Mar 2005
Posts: 1428
Location: Waterloo, Liverpool
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| Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2007 7:56 am Post subject: Sailors Killed in Nuclear Sub Fall |
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From the Plymouth Herald
| Quote: | USA POINTS FINGER OVER SUB DEATHS
HERALD REPORTER
11:50 - 25 April 2007
The Royal Navy and a Plymouth harbour pilot have been implicated in the deaths of two American sailors swept overboard from a nuclear-powered submarine in Plymouth Sound.A report into the incident involving the USS Minneapolis-St Paul revealed a previous similar incident involving British submarine HMS Sovereign just months earlier.
Senior US military officials have criticised the Royal Navy for hushing up the first accident, in which two men were trapped on the deck of the British submarine for 30 minutes in bad weather and had to be treated in hospital.
In the Minneapolis-St Paul incident, the US Navy blamed an experienced Plymouth pilot for giving the American crew "poor advice" and not sharing information about "potentially dangerous sea states" past Plymouth breakwater.
The US crew were also unaware that surface vessel movements in Plymouth Sound had been restricted because of the heavy swell and gale force winds, it is claimed.
Five crew were knocked off the deck of the submarine.
Yesterday, a Royal Navy spokesman stressed that the report was "being taken very seriously" but would not comment on the actions of the pilot - a civil servant employed by the Ministry of Defence.
He said the Navy could not comment on the HMS Sovereign incident as it was the subject of legal action.
On the Minneapolis-St Paul, in December, two men - Senior Chief Petty Officer Thomas Higgins and Petty Officer Michael Holtz - were on deck and tethered to the vessel. They died after being swept overboard and pounded against the hull of the submarine by 20 foot waves.
A detailed report into the incident said the pilot, who has not been named, had "several concerns over ship's practices and sea conditions" but they were not "communicated to ship's personnel".
It added: "Local authorities did not inform USS Minneapolis-St Paul (MSP) of restrictions on some surface ship movements due to gale winds on 29 December 2006, thus depriving the commanding officer of an additional indicator of potentially challenging sea states.
"While it appears MSP personnel did at times interpret the silence of local authorities as acquiescence with their plan, they also took affirmative steps to seek out the opinions of local authorities and experts. MSP was unanimously advised that it was safe for their vessel to get under way."
It concluded: "Although there were noted deficiencies of the pilot's performance, this does not alleviate (Commander Edwin Ruff) from his responsibility to independently assess the impact of the weather and oceanic effects on the effective and safe operation of his ship."
A spokesman for the Royal Navy in Plymouth said the report had only been recently received and was still being studied.
He added: "The safety of personnel at all times is a priority for the Ministry of Defence and Royal Navy, especially in potentially hazardous environments. Therefore, this report is being taken very seriously.
"The report is under consideration by the Ministry of Defence in consultation with the US Navy and any lessons that can be learned to improve safety at sea will be implemented."
Cdr Ruff was relieved of his command three weeks after the incident and received a punitive letter of reprimand. Charges against two junior officers and a chief petty officer were dismissed.
The inquiry concluded the men died because they had remained tethered to the submarine - on lanyards which were too long and not permitted. |
Yours Aye.
Martin Slater,
Secretary.
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Martin
Secretary
Joined: 05 Mar 2005
Posts: 1428
Location: Waterloo, Liverpool
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| Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 12:25 am Post subject: U.S. takes command of gulf task force |
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Originally posted Thu Jul 19, 2007 10:13 am
Never fear, the Yanks are in charge   
U.S. takes command of gulf task force
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Martin
Secretary
Joined: 05 Mar 2005
Posts: 1428
Location: Waterloo, Liverpool
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| Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 12:39 am Post subject: US naval power wanes |
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Originally posted Wed Aug 29, 2007 11:07 am
US naval power wanes
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Martin
Secretary
Joined: 05 Mar 2005
Posts: 1428
Location: Waterloo, Liverpool
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| Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 9:52 pm Post subject: USS New York |
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USS New York
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Martin
Secretary
Joined: 05 Mar 2005
Posts: 1428
Location: Waterloo, Liverpool
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Martin
Secretary
Joined: 05 Mar 2005
Posts: 1428
Location: Waterloo, Liverpool
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angry pirate
Propulsion Wallah
Joined: 09 Oct 2006
Posts: 1087
Location: from the cold cold north
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| Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 9:16 pm Post subject: |
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i dont know why they spent so much on this 
all they had to do was go down a pltw dept mess deck they would have found lots of stilettos down there in various colours i am lead to belive  
next they will be having uss frock which they also will find down the aford mentioned pltw mess deck
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