You Think You've Got Problems...

[mcarlsonus]

Originally Posted by kylania

The side angle doesn't show just how bad it was:
(click to super enlarge)

By golly you're RIGHT! Judging from the damage shown in the first photo and the position of the tarpaulin, I was assuming the sail hit the New Orleans - HARD - at nearly a 90-degree angle and then slid off to starboard - which appears to be the case. However, my mistake was looking at the leading edge of the sail, which on an LA-class DOES have a bit of a pronounced, "rake." Considering the keel depth of the N.O., which I assume to be similar to other littoral combat vessels, or about 10ft/3.1m, it appears the sub was submerged, yet above periscope depth, thus rendering the claim of inattention due to loud music from, "external speakers" immaterial. Even so, after the sub/surface vessel disaster involving fatalities in February, 2001, followed by a similar, but non-fatal, collision in January, 2007, it appears the US Navy has, yet again, failed to convince Commanding Officers to follow SOP - specifically, unless it's an emergency, pop up to P-depth and have a 360-degree look-see out the window prior to executing the, "Surface" maneuver!

GOOD FIND, by the way! I, for one, appreciate it!