SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: Submarine, stopped off Manchester (updated with ID)

11:02 AM: Thanks to Tom for the photo. He and others have tipped us that a submarine is currently stopped off Manchester, across the water from West Seattle. So far there’s speculation thst it’s the damaged USS Connecticut, which was seen at Indian Island yesterday, after leaving San Diego on Wednesday. After colliding with an undersea mountain in October, the Connecticut underwent preliminary repairs in Guam. We’re checking with the Navy to see if they’ll confirm this is the submarine off Manchester.

12:25 PM: We haven’t heard back from the Navy but the report on The War Zone, linked above, was updated a short time ago with a Navy statement saying the Connecticut is still at Indian Island, so this may be another submarine (commenter Ethan suggests the USS Ohio) instead. Here’s another photo – this one’s from Carrie:

2:57 PM: Just heard from Lt. Cmdr. Ben Anderson, who confirms that the submarine seen off Manchester is indeed USS Ohio, not USS Connecticut: “Ohio-class guided missile submarine USS Ohio (SSGN 726) returned to its homeport of Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton today, following a scheduled patrol in the Indo-Pacific.”

Ethan December 20, 2021 (11:19 am)

I’m pretty sure this is the Ohio returning from their deployment.

WSB December 20, 2021 (11:52 am)

Pending a reply from the Navy, the only factor in favor of the Connecticut theory is that the partial information available via MarineTraffic.com indicates this vessel’s voyage started in Guam.
- Ethan December 20, 2021 (12:03 pm)
  
  If you google images of the USS Ohio you can see that small bump at the far front of the ship. You can also see the forward edge of the conning tower is vertical. If you search for pics of Seawolf subs, you don’t see the forward bump, and the front of the conning tower is sloped as it nears the hull. The above is all just using Google. I have a friend whose boyfriend is on board the Ohio and let me know yesterday to keep an eye out.
  - Jim Fleming December 21, 2021 (11:15 pm)
    
    I think you should not call it a conning tower. It’s referred to as the sail. And those small wing looking things? On the sail. Those control depth. And 30 degrees of movement is a lot. They are the Fairweather planes. I don’t know where that name originated.

DML December 20, 2021 (12:05 pm)

Sub is now moving towards Bremerton with 3 escort boats.

22blades December 20, 2021 (12:09 pm)

It’s the Connecticut from Guam via San Diego.Damaged Submarine USS Connecticut has Finally Made It Home To Washington State (Updated) (thedrive.com)

WSB December 20, 2021 (12:22 pm)

That’s one of the stories we’ve linked above, BUT the 12:05 pm update indicates the Connecticut is still at Indian Island (in the north Sound).
Tyr1001 December 20, 2021 (12:35 pm)

this is the Ohio. Connecticut does not have fairwater planes as this one does, nor is it as long
- Duane Brackman December 21, 2021 (7:44 am)
  
  Ohio class subs are much longer than Sea Wolf class. It’s obviously an Ohio class sub.

StopCuttingDownTrees December 20, 2021 (12:35 pm)

It’s definitely not a Seawolf-class like the USS Connecticut.

Dave S. December 20, 2021 (12:38 pm)

It is definitely an Ohio class. From other images on the internet, Connecticut has some visible damage to the bow.

Who K December 20, 2021 (2:02 pm)

Sonar technology is way superb. I don’t see how a modern sub plowing into a mountain could happen.

aRF December 20, 2021 (3:16 pm)

If you’re trying to hide then you don’t ping.
Tyr1001 December 21, 2021 (5:20 am)

We never go active and underwater mountains don’t make much noise. San Francisco did it the same way
Jim Fleming December 21, 2021 (10:03 am)

Mountains grow quickly in deep waters. When the submarine was traveling under water and “watching ” ahead of itself it must not have been able to turn fast enough. It must have been going fast.
Jim Fleming December 21, 2021 (10:05 am)

Oops