US Navy: Cruiser rams nuclear submarine

A collision occurred between the cruiser USS San Jacinto and the nuclear submarine USS Montpelier at 3:30 p.m. (local time) on Saturday, October 13, during an exercise in the East Coast of the US.

US Navy cruiser USS San Jacinto

Reuters reported on October 14 that the US Navy said a collision occurred between the cruiser USS San Jacinto and the nuclear submarine USS Montpelier at 3:30 p.m. (local time) on Saturday, October 13, during an exercise in the East Coast of the US, but did not disclose the specific location of the accident.

A naval official said the observation team on board the shipSan Jacintosaw a periscope protruding above the water about 100-200 meters ahead of the ship. The captain ordered the ship to back off, howeverSan Jacintostill hit the submarine.

The collision destroyed the cruiser's sonar dome, located just below the waterline and containing the ship's electronic navigation, tracking and ranging equipment, the unnamed naval official said.

The US Navy said no one was injured in the accident and the nuclear submarine's reactor was not damaged.

USS nuclear submarineMontpelier

The two ships were part of a strike group led by the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman. The Truman was on the scene at the time of the accident and assisted the two colliding ships.

The US Navy is currently investigating the cause of the accident and assessing the extent of damage to both ships.