Explosion Rips Submarine Off Florida; 18 Hurt

An explosion and fire struck the diesel submarine Bonefish off Florida on Sunday, injuring 18, three seriously, and leaving 3 missing, the Navy said. It was not immediately known whether the blaze had been extinguished.

The Bonefish, one of the last diesel submarines in service in the Navy, surfaced 160 miles east of Cape Canaveral, Fla., where it was on a routine exercise, said Cmdr. Fred Leeder, spokesman for the Atlantic Fleet.

Eighteen crew members were transferred to the aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy, three in serious condition, said Lt. Cmdr. Bill Sonntag of the Atlantic Fleet headquarters in Norfolk.

Search for Crewmen

Sonntag said the submarine, which was also being assisted by the frigates McCloy and Carr, was believed to have had 92 people aboard, 89 of whom had been accounted for. Ships searched for crewmen, Sonntag said.

The fire was believed caused by an explosion in the 30-year-old submarine’s battery compartment, Sonntag said. Because of fire and toxic fumes, the commanding officer ordered the vessel evacuated, he said.

Leeder said the Carr would attempt to tow the submarine to either Port Canaveral or Charleston, S.C., the Bonefish’s home port. There apparently was no serious problem in keeping the Bonefish afloat Sunday evening, Leeder said.

Questions Remain

He said he did not know whether the submarine would be abandoned completely or left with a small crew. Nor did he know if the fire had been extinguished.

“All we know right now is that it is tied up next to the Carr,” Sonntag said. “They are trying to decide where it will be towed and what to do with the men.”

The Bonefish was commissioned in 1959.