Nuclear Sub, Cruiser collide off east coast of U.S.

A United States Navy nuclear submarine and an Aegis cruiser collided off the east coast on Saturday while participating in routine training exercises.

According to a USAToday report, the USS Montpelier, a Los Angeles-class fast attack nuclear submarine collided with the USS San Jacinto, guided-missile cruiser, at 3:30 ET. The Navy refused to say exactly where off the east coast the collision occurred. Navy officials say the San Jacinto watch team observed a periscope rise from the water about 100 to 200 yards ahead of them. An order of "all back" was given, but the forward momentum of the vessel propelled it into the submarine. Reuters reported that the San Jacinto's sonar dome, which houses some of the vessel's electronic navigation, detection and ranging equipment, caved in as a result of the collision. There was no damage to the Montpeiler's nuclear-powered propulsion plant and no one aboard either vessel was injured. Both vessels were able to continue under their own power. The Navy is currently conducting an investigation to see what exactly caused the miscommunication and collision according to US News. The USS Montpeiler was commissioned March 13, 1993. It is armed with Harpoon and Tomahawk missiles from VLS-tubes, has four 533 mm torpedo Tubes for Mk-48 torpedoes, and also has the ability to lay mines according to NavySIte. The USS San Jacinto was commissioned January 23, 1988. It is named in honor of the April 21,1836 battle fought along the San Jacinto River in Texas. During the battle, General Sam Houston and his "greatly outnumbered Texas soldiers" secured independence for the Republic of Texas, defeating General Santa Anna and his Mexican Army. According to Navysite, she was deployed in the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Shield serving as the Red Sea Battle Force Anti- Air Warfare Commander. She also launched the first Tomahawk Cruise missiles ever fired in combat during the opening salvos of Operation Desert Storm.