San Francisco's Recent Crash

Since 01-16-05

From: Jim D'Orso
To: Bill Decker
Sent: Saturday, January 15, 2005 2:49 PM
Subject: Re: Fw: 'Frisco's recent crash


I'm sure that the question will eventually be asked: "Why 500 feet?" With uncertain chart data and a speed >30 Knots, this diesel submariner would opt for some depth safe enough to avoid supertankers, and nothing deeper. At that speed, an optimum depth for sonar search would seem to have little bearing. Not having been there, however, I offer only a question, not a criticism.

Jim


From: SSN584NUC1@aol.com [mailto:SSN584NUC1@aol.com]
Sent: Saturday, January 15, 2005 4:23 AM
To: ALLSEADRAGON@aol.com
Cc: EMCMssUSN@hotmail.com
Subject: 'Frisco's recent crash


Hi Guys,

FYI. From the desk of Ex-Dragonite JOC(SS) Bill Clark.

Ron, et al: From this morning's NY Times' article by Christopher Drew regarding 'Frisco's recent crash. Apparently the CO was using charts prepared in 1989 where satellite shots revealed a very recent subsurface change.

"The submarine had crashed head-on into an undersea mountain that was not on the charts. Now, Defense Department officials say they have found a satellite image taken in 1999 that indicates an undersea mountain rising to perhaps 100 feet below the surface.

But the older navigation charts provided to the Navy were never updated to show the obstruction, they acknowledge, in part because the defense agency that creates them has never systematically used the satellite data.

The officials said the main chart on the submarine, prepared in 1989 and never revised, did not show any potential obstacles within three miles of the crash, which killed one and injured 60 others. They said the violent collision happened in such a desolate area — 360 miles southeast of Guam — that updating their depiction of the terrain was never a high priority.

A variety of satellite data is now showing that many sea charts are inaccurate. And some scientists are calling for greater use of satellite data to more precisely fix the location of undersea geological features.

The latest disclosures support the account by the commanding officer of the San Francisco that the charts showed the track was clear. But former captains said Navy investigators were likely to examine whether it was prudent to travel at such a high speed, 30 knots, given the age and spottiness of the information."

w/r "BC"