Sad News

[sonicninja]

Today while I was at work (Devonport Naval Base, Plymouth) I saw the sailors of the USS USS Minneapolis Nuclear Submarine preparing to sail, the weather has been pretty bad and a force 9 gale off the Plyouth coast, later today 2 sailors from the boat went over the side a mile off Plymouth and sadly drowned.

A few chosen words for these poor blokes:-

Lord God, our power evermore,
Whose arms doth reach the ocean floor,
Dive with our men beneath the sea;
Traverse the depths protectively.
O' hear us when we pray, and keep
Them safe from peril in the deep.
There are no roses on a Sailor's grave,
No lilies on an ocean wave.
The only tribute are the seagulls' sweeps,
And the teardrops that a sweetheart weeps

Lord, these departed shipmates with dolphins on their chest,
Are a part of an outfit known as the best.
Make them welcome and take them by the hand,
You'll find without a doubt they were the best in all the land.


So, heavenly Father, add their names to the roll,
Of our departed shipmates still on patrol.
Let them know that we who survive,
Will always keep their memories alive.

[Poor Old Spike]

Yes mate, terrible, I live on Plymouths Barbican and the tragedy was front page news in the local Herald paper.
Apparently the sub was safely inside the breakwater so I can't imagine what went wrong. Here's what the paper said -

11:50 - 30 December 2006 Two American sailors were killed after a massive wave hit a US nuclear submarine in Plymouth Sound.Four people were washed overboard in severe weather from the nuclear-powered USS Minneapolis St-Paul near the breakwater at 1pm.

The servicemen were rescued by Ministry of Defence police but two were in a critical condition.

Officers desperately tried to resuscitate the pair as they approached the shore at Millbay towards a waiting fleet of ambulances.

All four were taken to Derriford Hospital but Devon and Cornwall police later confirmed that two of the servicemen had died.

The other two sailors have been discharged from hospital and were last night recovering in the sick bay at HMS Drake.

Police have launched an investigation and the coroner has been informed.

Brixham Coastguards said that the sailors were attached by ropes on the outside of the 373-tonne submarine.

But a spokeswoman said that the crew members had been unable to get back inside the vessel in a Force 8 gale and heavy seas.

A US Navy spokesman could not say why the personnel were on the outside of the submarine in such severe weather. The navy has launched its own inquiry.

Coastguards scrambled a helicopter from RNAS Culdrose and sent the Plymouth Lifeboat out to the breakwater.

But an MoD police launch and the Plymouth pilot boat Opal rescued the casualties first with the aid of other crew members.

A spokesman at 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 underway 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."

He added that the submarine, normally based in Norfolk, Virginia, had just finished a week-long visit to Devonport.

Devon and Cornwall police said yesterday that the vessel was waiting for the weather to improve and was due to return to Devonport last night.

There was initial confusion about the number of casualties involved. Ambulance controllers said that they treated seven sailors.

Police said later that only four people were involved.

One eyewitness said that sheets of fine rain driven by strong winds reduced the visibility across the Sound. From the shoreline the breakwater was not visible.

[Dr.Sid]

150 civies dies every week in Irak and no 'sad news' anywhere .. sailors at least know and take the risks.

Well .. rest in peace guys, no offence meant.

[Poor Old Spike]

Originally Posted by Dr.Sid

150 civies dies every week in Irak and no 'sad news' anywhere .. sailors at least know and take the risks.

Well .. rest in peace guys, no offence meant.

Yes In Iraq the sunni muslims and the Shi'ite muslims blow each other up regularly

[Poor Old Spike]

Latest update (mid-Jan 2007) from Plymouth Evening Herald-

SUB CAPTAIN REASSIGNED AFTER DEATHS

The US Navy has removed the commander of a nuclear submarine that was involved in a fatal incident off the coast of Plymouth, England.

On December 29, rough seas swept four American sailors from the deck of the submarine off Plymouth.

The USS Minneapolis-St Paul was leaving Plymouth harbour when the sailors were knocked into the water by surging waves.

The four men were taken to hospital in Plymouth, where two were pronounced dead. According to officials, a Navy investigation determined that the incident was avoidable and due in part to a poor decision by the commander.

He was identified by a Navy statement as Cmdr Edwin Ruff.

According to the Navy, Ruff has been reassigned to a position ashore. The decision was made by Vice Adm. Chuck Munns, commander of the Navy's Submarine Force.

"Munns took this action due to a loss of confidence in Ruff's ability to command," said the service statement.

Earlier this week, Ruff and another officer on the submarine received letters of reprimand.

The Navy did not provide further details on the findings of its investigation.

The submarine's executive officer Lieutenant Commander Peter Young has been reprimanded. Charges were considered against three other sailors but they were dismissed.

Senior Chief Thomas Higgins, 45, from Kentucky, and Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Holtz, 30, from Ohio, died following the incident.

The Minneapolis-St Paul, assigned to the 6th Fleet, had just completed a weeklong layover in Plymouth.

Based in Norfolk, Virginia, the sub was heading to sea for routine duties when the accident happened.

http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/disp...pNodeId=133174