2 words that could sink a US Navy attack submarine

Uncovered shutters: In a construction accident reminiscent of previous U.S. incidents, the lead ship of China’s new class of nuclear-powered attack submarines reportedly sank while moored, echoing the 1969 sinking of the U.S. Navy’s USS Guitarro (SSN 665) in San Francisco Bay.

-The Guitarro accident occurred when nuclear and non-nuclear work teams independently filled tanks on separate assignments without coordination, leading to uncontrolled flooding through uncovered hatches.

-After the Navy investigation found “culpable negligence” and inadequate communications, it took three days to refloat the submarine, delaying its commissioning by nearly three years and costing $140 million in repairs.

Embarrassing submarine sinks: China faces US-style setback with nuclear submarine

In September, US defense officials revealed it was the lead ship of a new class of Chinese nuclear-powered attack submarines sunk during construction.

The incident occurred in the spring and the Chinese government tried to conceal the fact until a think tank analyst spotted the sunken submarine on the pier.

While it is a hugely embarrassing incident for China’s ambitious military, it is not unheard of submarines sinking in the harbour. Indeed, the US Navy experienced a similar incident, but fifty-five years ago, when shipbuilding technology was not as developed as it is today.

The sinking of the USS Guitarro

It’s 1969. The Vietnam War is raging. The Navy has provided significant resources in support of ground combat in Southeast Asia. But the greatest threat remains the Soviet Union. The Navy continues to invest in and prepare capabilities that would help it defeat the Soviet Navy in the event of a conflict.

Nuclear-powered submarines were all the rage. Harnessing the enormous energy of newly tamed nuclear power, nuclear reactor-powered submarines could run longer, sail faster, and were also harder to detect. Fast attack submarines were particularly sought after for their ability to find and sink enemy warships and logistics vessels. Still a pack of good stuff to this day fast attack submarines well led can wreak havoc on an enemy naval force.

May 15, 1969: A submarine sinks

The USS Guitarro (SSN 665)a nuclear-powered Sturgeon-class fast attack submarine, is undergoing final touches before being commissioned and joining the operational fleet. Construction of the warship will take place at the San Francisco Bay Naval Shipyard. Continue working the submarine is going as planned. It has been under construction for almost four years and the plan is to open it in eight months.

Then, suddenly, at about 8:30 p.m., the USS Guitarro begins to sink while still tied to the dock. Nuclear and non-nuclear construction groups had been working on the boat on two different assignments that required filling certain tanks on the boat to bring it closer to the surface. The two groups had not coordinated despite working on assignments that influenced each other, and the water reached uncovered hatches. The submarine took on more and more water. Eventually the submarine could take no more and sank.

The Navy conducted one thorough research following the incident to determine what caused the sinking of one of the priced nuclear-powered attack submarines while in port. The cause of the sinking was “uncontrolled flooding in the forward part of the ship.” The report concluded that the sinking was an accident. However, the direct cause of the sinking was “culpable negligence of certain shipyard employees.” In addition, poor coordination contributed to the accident.

It took Navy crews three days to refloat the sunken submarine.

The entire incident caused a commissioning delay of almost three years and up to $140 million in repair costs.

Building and maintaining one naval fleet is not an easy task. And enemy fire isn’t the only threat to a fleet’s longevity.

About the author:

Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist, specializing in special operations and a Greek Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ). He holds a BA from Johns Hopkins University and an MA from Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). His work can be seen in Business insider, ZandboxxAnd SOFREP.

Image credits: Creative Commons and/or Shutterstock.