LA Class Sub Vents Steam From Aft End Of Sail...
 

... i've seen this on more than one occasion.

can anyone tell me what is this... is it a normal procedure for venting something or what...

thx

--Mike

I know diesels sometimes have the main induction there so maybe the SSN is running its diesel backup when in port for electricity?

what i saw was a big cloud of what looked like steam venting from the aft end, top, side of the sail...

there are a few vents there (at least they look like vents of some sort), and i was wondering what that was...

--Mike

That’s where the snorkel is located, they don’t need to deploy it fully to use it, they can just poke the top part of the mast out of the casing. I know one story about a harbor pilot who saw diesel smoke coming out of the snorkel mast and he assumed it was how they get rid of the steam from the nuclear reactor.

Yes, and one time we were using our diesels to help charge the battery while alongside the pier (shore power wasn't enough). Our old diesels made lots of black smoke when they were fully loaded. The squadron watch officer called us up and asked if we needed any help with our fire :lol:

:rotfl: :lurk: :lost:

nice

http://www.navy.mil/management/photo...-0000M-001.jpg

Puget Sound, Wash. (Jan. 4, 2006) - The Ohio-class nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine USS Alabama (SSBN-731) is being moved "dead-stick" in the sound by a flotilla of tug boats with Mount Rainer in background. U.S. Navy photographed by Mr. Anthony Madina

Beautiful shot there Bill! I always loved the scenery in the Bremerton/Bangor area.

yeah... that's great scenery to send you off on a cruise... leave it to Bill to come up with the great shots... thx...

that's exactly what i was referring to... that venting... what is that?

--Mike

It's the diesel exhaust, mixed with water for various reasons - that's why it doesn't look like a car's exhaust.

I remember Frank Kulick telling me that they had to run the diesels about every week or so just to make sure they were operating properly. I believe he was refering to the Improved 688s.

The problem comes when the wind blows it over the snorkel which fills the boat with smoke. ;)

Here's a link to a hi-res version of the above photo:

http://www.navy.mil/management/photo...-0000M-001.jpg

It's SOP for all nuke boats. The diesels are there for emergency use, you want to be sure they'll run when you need 'em :yep:

thx guys for all the info and insights... and the great pic...

--Mike