Japanese skipper describes sinking by U.S. sub

March 14, 2001
Web posted at: 10:03 p.m. EST (0303 GMT)

In this story: 'They made me very proud' Junior officer says Waddle a 'mentor' RELATED STORIES

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii -- The captain of a Japanese ship sunk by a U.S. submarine said Wednesday the impact lifted his vessel by the stern before it sank.

Meanwhile, the former captain of the submarine that rammed the ship praised his crew's testimony before a U.S. Navy court of inquiry, saying it would help give families of those killed in the accident a full accounting.

The fisheries training vessel Ehime Maru sank about 10 miles off Honolulu last month after being struck by the USS Greeneville, a nuclear-powered attack submarine that was demonstrating an emergency surfacing drill for civilian guests. The incident left nine aboard the Japanese ship missing and presumed dead. The Ehime Maru had 35 crew and passengers.

IN-DEPTH Collision at sea Key facts Waddle's statement Description of ascent maneuver Key players Civilians on board Court of Inquiry description Unofficial hearing transcript RESOURCES Statement from USS Greeneville Commander Scott Waddle ALSO Raising Ehime Maru estimated at $40 million

Ehime Maru Capt. Hisao Onishi told a board of admirals investigating the February 9 collision that his crew had no warning of the submarine.

"We felt an impact as if the stern of the ship was lifted up. At the same time, the terrible sound of 'bang, bang' was heard and the ship came to a halt," Onishi said.

Onishi said instruments on the Ehime Maru's bridge went dead and he could see the ship begin to settle. He ordered the passengers and crew to prepare for an emergency evacuation, but "no one was in a state where they could respond."

"They were clinging onto handrails and some structural things of the ship," Onishi said.

His testimony came midway through the second week of proceedings before a board of U.S. admirals investigating the Greeneville's collision with the Ehime Maru.

The court of inquiry, made up of three Navy admirals and advised by a non-voting Japanese admiral, is hearing evidence and could recommend courts-martial for three officers aboard the Greeneville, including its skipper, Cmdr. Scott Waddle, 41; Lt. Cmdr. Gerald Pfeifer, 38, the Greeneville's executive officer; and Lt. j.g. Michael Coen, 26, the officer of the deck at the time of the accident.

'They made me very proud'

On his way into the hearing Wednesday, Waddle told reporters he would travel back to Japan to help families of those killed, including four 17-year-old fisheries students, find closure.

Waddle praised his crew for telling investigators the truth, saying testimony before the board "will help me in the end achieve the objective I desire."

"They made me very proud in keeping with the tradition of the Greeneville, which is to uphold what I consider the highest standard," he said.

Waddle said in Time magazine's March 12 issue the accident will end his career, and his last acts as a naval officer will be "to ensure there is closure for the families and that the truth is determined."

On Tuesday a senior officer escorting 16 guests aboard the Greeneville testified he was concerned about the rapid pace of the submarine's maneuvers -- but failed to sound an alarm.

Capt. Robert Brandhuber, who was the highest-ranking officer on the submarine, said he didn't want to question the skipper in front of his crew and visitors. Brandhuber, who brought the guests aboard as part of the Navy's "Distinguished Visitors" program, was the first eyewitness to testify about the accident.

Brandhuber said his fears were eased somewhat when he saw the skipper take the periscope stand and report he saw no contacts.

Junior officer says Waddle a 'mentor'

Brandhuber said he looked through the periscope after the collision and saw young crew members struggling on the deck of the Ehime Maru and then saw the Japanese vessel sink.

"It was something I had never seen before and don't ever want to see again," he said, turning his head as if to regain his composure.

Brandhuber said the submarine had no information that any of those who had been aboard the Ehime Maru were in the water instead of lifeboats. Otherwise, he said, more direct action would have been taken to use divers in a rescue operation.

Also Tuesday, the Greeneville's navigator, Lt. Keith Sloan, testified that Waddle told him there would not be an emergency blow that day. Sloan said Waddle must have changed his mind about the demonstration.

Sloan said he had urged Waddle to tone down his approach with junior officers, but Waddle responded that junior officers "would learn from him telling them what to do."

The testimony raised questions about whether the submarine's crew felt comfortable voicing concerns about Waddle's actions. Sloan said he didn't get along with Waddle all the time, but that their relationship was mostly good and he looked to Waddle as "my mentor."

"Commander Waddle was very helpful to me, helping me be a better officer," he said.

Sloan acknowledged that the presence of the 16 civilians on board was a bit of a distraction, but not insurmountable.

Navy sub collision inquiry gets first eyewitness testimony
March 13, 2001
U.S. Navy may OK attempt to raise Japanese ship
March 12, 2001
Sub skipper's family speaks out about collision
March 11, 2001
Court of inquiry watches simulation of sub's periscope sweep
March 9, 2001
Sub skipper's lawyer disputes Navy's report of collision
March 7, 2001

U.S. Coast Guard
Japanese Prime Minister
CINCPACFLT :: USS Greeneville (SSN 772) incident
City of Uwajima's memorial site
U.S. Navy
CINCPACFLT statement on the USS Greeneville incident
Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet
USS Greeneville
National Transportation Safety Board

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