USS Connecticut, damaged in South China Sea grounding, enters dry dock for assessment

BREMERTON — The elite submarine USS Connecticut, damaged when it struck an underwater mountain in the South China Sea in October, will need a new sonar dome and a host of repairs to sail again, the Navy said this week.

The Bremerton-based boat, one of the three most secretive and capable in the Navy's fleet, was moved into the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard's dry dock 5 in February to size up all of the damage from the Oct. 2 collision.

"The initial assessment shows damage to forward main ballast tanks, the sonar sphere, and the need to replace the sonar dome," said Cynthia Fields, a spokeswoman for the Navy Pacific Fleet Submarine Force.

But the submarine's pressure hull, as well as its nuclear-powered propulsion system, did not endure damage, Fields said.

More: USS Connecticut, damaged in crash with underwater mountain, arrives in Bremerton

In what Fields called a "grounding," 11 sailors were hurt when the 354-foot-long sub struck the undersea mountain. None required hospitalization. But the boat's commanding officer, executive officer and chief of boat were all relieved of duty following an ensuing investigation. Its remaining sailors were charged to make the 7,000-mile journey from Guam to Puget Sound, all on the surface of the ocean.

The full cost of repairs is unknown. Forbes reported in December that $50 million was inserted into the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act to help pay for the work.

"Until the Navy completes its detailed assessment we cannot provide an estimated cost or time to fully restore the boat," Fields said.

It's expected to be a long time before Connecticut can deploy again. In 2005, when the USS San Francisco fast-attack submarine struck an underwater mountain, it took 3 1/2 years and $134 million to make repairs — including a new sonar dome.

Connecticut is one of three in the Seawolf class, developed during the Cold War for $3 billion apiece. The boat is armed with 50 torpedoes fired from eight different tubes. The Seawolfs are incredibly quiet and fast, making them ideal for the most clandestine of missions. The boat is homeported in Bremerton but will move with the USS Seawolf to a new pier at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, joining the third of three, the USS Jimmy Carter. The $90 million pier should be complete this year.

Connecticut collision: a timeline

Oct. 2, 2021: The USS Connecticut, a Seawolf-class fast attack submarine, collides with an unmapped, underwater mountain. Eleven sailors are injured, but none require hospitalization. The Navy says the sub's nuclear reactor core and propulsion systems were undamaged.

Oct. 8: The Navy announces the submarine has arrived in Guam, where workers, including those from the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, begin repair work. Investigations into the crash also begin.

Nov. 4: Following the investigations, Vice Adm. Karl Thomas, commander of the Japan-based U.S. 7th Fleet, relieves Cmdr. Cameron Aljilani as commanding officer, Lt. Cmdr. Patrick Cashin as executive officer, and Master Chief Sonar Technician Cory Rodgers as chief of the boat "due to loss of confidence."

Dec. 12: The USS Connecticut arrives in San Diego following a surface crossing of the Pacific Ocean.

Dec. 20: The Navy confirms the USS Connecticut has arrived in Washington state in "safe and stable condition" and is docked at Indian Island.

Dec. 21: The USS Connecticut sails into Bremerton, where it will likely remain for years in repairs at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.

Feb. 8, 2022: The Connecticut enters dry dock 5 for an assessment of damages at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.

Josh Farley is a reporter covering the military and Bremerton for the Kitsap Sun. He can be reached at 360-792-9227, josh.farley@kitsapsun.com or on Twitter at @joshfarley.

This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Damaged USS Connecticut enters dry dock for assessment in Bremerton