THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 24, 1996 TAG: 9610240314
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JACK DORSEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 73 lines
The carrier Theodore Roosevelt may have shifted into reverse during an emergency drill just before a collision with the cruiser Leyte Gulf last week off North Carolina.
The Roosevelt apparently had completed its flight operations and was conducting a ``crash back'' exercise in which its engineers simulated the failure of equipment.
Also known as ``Becky'' drills (for Basic Engineering Casualty Control Exercises), the maneuver can drastically alter a ship's speed or course.
In this case, the exercise was conducted while the ships were operating under radio silence, a source said.
``You don't expect an airport you are following to back up on you,'' said the source, who is knowledgeable about the investigation.
The Roosevelt may not have actually begun to move in reverse but it was at least stopped ``dead in the water,'' the source said.
While the Navy has declined to comment on the specifics of the collision, citing its continuing investigation, an Atlantic Fleet official confirmed that the 1,094-foot carrier was conducting ``Becky'' drills.
He did not comment on whether the carrier was moving in reverse, however.
The Leyte Gulf, a 567-foot-long Ticonderoga-class cruiser, was trailing the Roosevelt by 1,000 to 4,000 yards.
The cruiser had been operating as a ``plane guard,'' a search-and-rescue role assumed by escorts to the carrier in the event that any aircraft crash during fliight operations.
The collision, about 100 miles east of Cape Hatteras, occurred at 2:53 a.m. Oct. 14 and resulted in no injuries to the crew of either ship.
But preliminary estimates are that at least $2 million in repairs are needed on the Leyte Gulf's bow, the Navy said. A photograph of the cruiser returning to port shows a lengthy gash along the port side of the bow, along with crumpled steel above the waterline.
Engineering drills such as last week's are used to test a crew's ability to overcome mechanical and other failures. At times, a carrier might take its nuclear power plant off line, lock one of its propeller shafts or simulate other malfunctions.
The Roosevelt may have conducted its drill earlier than planned, or at a time different from that expected by other ships, according to a report in Navy Times this week.
There should have been some notice given to the Leyte Gulf before the exercise began, the source said.
``He (the Leyte Gulf) can't call on the radio. It's the dead of the night. No one has told him this is about to happen. Where are the flashing lights? Where is something to tell somebody you are doing a crash back?'' he said.
``It's a shame, because I guess it's the same premise as if you are on the highway and you hit someone in the back: You are automatically wrong.''
No administrative action has been taken against the crew of either ship. The Roosevelt is commanded by Capt. Ronald L. Christenson, recently selected for promotion to rear admiral. Christenson is scheduled to be transferred following ceremonies in Norfolk next week.
The Leyte Gulf is commanded by Capt. Coleman Landers, who has taken his ship to its home base at Mayport, Fla., for repairs.
Both ships are members of the same battle group and are expected to leave on time for an upcoming deployment to the Mediterranean Sea. The Roosevelt is scheduled to return to Norfolk Friday. Its damage is said to consist mainly of minor dents and scratches.
Rear Adm. Michael G. Mullen, commander of Cruiser/Destroyer Group 2 in Norfolk, is conducting the investigation. He is expected to report his findings to Vice Adm. Vernon E. Clark, commander of the 2nd Fleet. ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photos]
File photos
The carrier Theodore Roosevelt is scheduled to return to Norfolk
Friday. The Leyte Gulf, insert upper right, needs an estimated $2
million in repairs on the bow, the Navy says.
KEYWORDS: ACCIDENT SHIP U.S. NAVY by CNB