UPDATED: Attack Submarine USS Connecticut Suffers Underwater Collision in South China Sea

By: Sam LaGrone

October 7, 2021 2:38 PM • Updated: October 7, 2021 3:51 PM



This post has been updated with additional details on the injuries to the crew of USS Connecticut and the location of the collision.

Almost a dozen sailors have been injured after a U.S. nuclear attack submarine hit an unknown underwater object in the South China Sea, USNI News has learned.

The Seawolf-class nuclear attack submarine USS Connecticut (SSN-22) suffered an underwater collision while operating in international waters on Oct. 2 and is returning to port in U.S. 7th Fleet, a U.S. Pacific Fleet spokesman confirmed to USNI News on Thursday.

“The Seawolf-class fast-attack submarine USS Connecticut (SSN-22) struck an object while submerged on the afternoon of Oct. 2, while operating in international waters in the Indo-Pacific region. The safety of the crew remains the Navy’s top priority. There are no life-threatening injuries,” Capt. Bill Clinton told USNI News.

“The submarine remains in a safe and stable condition. USS Connecticut’s nuclear propulsion plant and spaces were not affected and remain fully operational. The extent of damage to the remainder of the submarine is being assessed. The U.S. Navy has not requested assistance. The incident will be investigated.”

A defense official told USNI News about 11 sailors were hurt in the incident with moderate to minor injuries. The attack boat is now headed to Guam and is expected to pull in within the next day, the official said. The underwater strike occurred in the South China Sea and the attack boat has been making its way to Guam on the surface since Saturday, a defense official confirmed to USNI News.

The Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton, Wash., based submarine deployed on May 27 for the Pacific, the Navy announced at the time. The service has released photographs of the submarine operating in the Western Pacific with port calls in Japan in late July and August. U.S. 7th Fleet commander Adm. Karl Thomas visited the submarine in August, according to the service.

Connecticut is one of three Sea Wolf-class boats, a late Cold War attack submarine designed to hunt the most complex Soviet submarines in deep blue water. Along with USS Sea Wolf (SSN-21) and USS Jimmy Carter (SSN-23), Connecticut is among the Navy’s most capable and sensitive attack boats.

The last known instance where a submerged U.S. submarine struck another underwater object was in 2005. Then, USS San Franciso (SSN -711) struck an underwater mountain at full speed near Guam. One sailor died in the incident.

The following is the complete Oct. 7 statement from Pacific Fleet.

The Seawolf-class fast-attack submarine USS Connecticut (SSN 22) struck an object while submerged on the afternoon of Oct. 2, while operating in international waters in the Indo-Pacific region. The safety of the crew remains the Navy’s top priority. There are no life-threatening injuries.

The submarine remains in a safe and stable condition. USS Connecticut’s nuclear propulsion plant and spaces were not affected and remain fully operational. The extent of damage to the remainder of the submarine is being assessed. The U.S. Navy has not requested assistance. The incident will be investigated.”

目前还没有细节出来,在调查中

美军太平洋舰队7日发表声明，指海军海狼级（Seawolf-class）康涅狄格号（USS Connecticut，SSN-22）2日在印太地区的国际水域海底航行时，与一个物体发生碰撞，导致船上多名人员受伤，但没有生命危险。

《商业内幕》（Business Insider）报道，美军方面没有透露康涅狄格号与什么物体碰撞，只称当局正调查事件，并强调潜艇状况安全，其核动力推进系统及相关设施没受事件影响。有华府官员向霍士新闻（Fox News）表示，事件发生于南海地区，同时指康涅狄格号并非与其他潜艇相撞。

海狼级潜艇只有三艘，除了肇事的康涅狄格号，其余两艘现役的同级潜艇分别是海狼号（USS Seawolf ，SSN-21）及卡达号（USS Jimmy Carter，SSN-23），它们原本设计用于在深海追踪和攻击苏联潜艇，并获外界认为是世上最强的潜艇。而维珍尼亚级（Virginia-class）潜艇则是美国海军的主力。