January 27, 2005

From:   Submarine Research Center

To:       Submariners

Subj:    Bulletin 39,  THE USS SAN FRANCISCO

Every submariner knows that the USS San Francisco rammed into a hidden mountain southwest of Guam this month.  What isn’t well known is that control was equipped with two charts – one showing the submerged peak, the other having no indication of the obstruction.  Of course, the San Francisco was using the wrong chart.  That’s why, in part, the commanding officer was relieved of command.  Check out SRC’s website for a minute by minute description of the collision and aftermath. 

Take a look at the bow of the San Francisco.  The pressure hull’s forward dome is intact, but the sonar dome is wrecked.  Also note the bubbles around the bow from the continued low pressure blow into Ballast tanks 2A and B.

Click on below photos for larger images

Bubbles coming up from damaged bow section