Tragic Maritime Collision: USS Greeneville Sinks Fishing Vessel
On February 9, 2001, a catastrophic incident occurred off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii, when the USS Greeneville, a US nuclear-powered submarine, collided with the Japanese fishing vessel Ehime Maru. The tragic accident resulted in the deaths of nine individuals, including four high school students, two teachers, and three crew members. The submarine, which was conducting a controversial public relations maneuver, suffered only minor damage, while the Ehime Maru sank within minutes.
Details of the Collision and Aftermath
The USS Greeneville was performing an emergency ballast blow, a maneuver intended to rapidly bring the submarine to the surface. However, during this operation, it struck the Ehime Maru, leading to a swift and tragic sinking of the fishing vessel. Eyewitness accounts revealed that the submarine had detected the Ehime Maru prior to the collision but failed to act on this critical information. The Greeneville was operating outside its designated training area and utilized passive sonar instead of an active system, which would have provided better awareness of nearby vessels.
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Commander Scott Waddle, who was in charge of the submarine, had invited 16 civilian guests aboard for what was essentially a joy ride. This decision raised significant safety concerns, as two of these guests were in control positions during the ballast blow maneuver. Following the incident, Waddle faced public outrage, particularly in Japan, where the loss of life was deeply felt. Despite the Navy’s official blame on Waddle for the accident, he was neither court-martialed nor imprisoned. Instead, he received an honorable discharge and was allowed to retire, further fueling anger over the perceived lack of accountability for the tragedy.
Historical Context: Assassination of Nigerian Leader and Workers’ Strikes
In a separate historical context, February 13 marks the anniversary of the assassination of General Murtala Ramat Muhammed, the head of the Nigerian Federal Military Government, in 1976. Muhammed was ambushed in Lagos by soldiers during a coup attempt led by Lieutenant Colonel Buka Suka Dimka. The coup, which aimed to establish a new government, ultimately failed, and loyalist forces quickly regained control. The assassination sparked widespread protests across Nigeria, with citizens expressing their anger towards foreign diplomatic missions, particularly targeting the British High Commission.
Additionally, February 13 is significant for New Zealand, as it marks the beginning of the largest industrial action in the country’s history in 1951. Dockworkers initiated a strike in response to inadequate wage increases and poor working conditions. The strike, which lasted for 151 days, saw significant mobilization among workers across various sectors. However, it ultimately ended in defeat for the dockworkers, highlighting the challenges faced by labor movements during that era.
These events serve as reminders of the complexities and consequences of military actions and labor struggles throughout history, reflecting the ongoing impact of such incidents on societies worldwide.
