The USS Miami: A Tale of Fire, Decommissioning, and Controversy
On May 23, 2012, a devastating fire engulfed the front sections of the USS Miami, a Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered submarine, while it was undergoing repairs at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine. The fire, which was later discovered to have been intentionally started by a shipyard employee, resulted in extensive damage to the submarine’s living areas, command center, and torpedo room.
091202-N-9198L-040 (december 2, 2009) GROTON, Conn. — Sailors onboard historic ship Nautilus salute the Sailors aboard the Los Angeles class Attack Submarine USS Miami (SSN 755), which is returning to Naval Submarine Base New London following a six month deployment. (US Navy photo by Seaman Apprentice Michael Henderson/RELEASED)
The USS Miami had been commissioned in 1990 with a fine service record, having participated in combat operations for both the 1998 bombing of Iraq, Operation Desert Fox, and the late 1990s’ NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, Operation Allied Force. In these conflicts, her cruise-missile-firing capability gave her the nickname of “Big Gun.”.
091202-N-2214H-017 (december 2, 2009) GROTON, Conn. — Sailors onboard USS Miami (SSN 755) man the rails as the Los Angeles class Attack Submarine transits the Thames River en route to Naval Submarine Base New London following its sixth month deployment. (US Navy photo by Seaman Apprentice Michael Henderson/RELEASED)
Preliminary estimates by the Navy pegged financial damage from the fire at $450 million. But determined to salvage the vessel, the Navy decided to repair the Miami to have her operational again by mid-2015. The cost ballooned to $700 million as repair work progressed, due to budget cuts and other issues.
091202-N-5339S-693 GROTON, Conn. (December 2, 2009) – Santa Claus stands aboard USS Miami (SSN 755) as the Los Angeles-class submarine returns to Naval Submarine Base New London following a deployment to the U.S. European area of responsibility. Santa took time out of his busy schedule to deliver a present to Miami families – loved ones! U.S. Navy photo by Electronics Technician John Sabados.
Confronted with these escalating costs, the Navy finally decided to retire the USS Miami. Towed to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, she had equipment and systems removed from her, and she was en route to a federal repository in Idaho.
Haakonsvern, Norway ( October 11, 2011) – Rear Adm. Bernt Grimstvedt, chief of the Royal Norwegian Navy, looks through the periscope of the Los Angeles-class submarine USS Miami (SSN 755) while inport Haakonsvern, Norway. Grimstvedt toured Miami during its scheduled port visit to strengthen maritime partnership with Norwegian counterparts. (U.S. Navy Photo/Released)
The arsonist, 25-year-old shipyard worker Casey James Fury, was arrested, and he subsequently pleaded guilty to two counts of arson. He was then sentenced to 17 years in federal prison, with an order to pay some $400 million in restitution.
The Los Angeles class attack submarine USS Miami (SSN 755) returns home to Submarine Base New London on Thursday, December 15, 2011 following a five-month deployment. While on deployment Miami conducted operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy Photo by John Narewski/Released)
However, in 2015, Fury claimed that he was innocent, and at the original trial, he was coerced into a false confession because he was in a poor state of mind at that particular time, in which he had anxiety, depression, and addiction.
040426-N-4518L-003
Port Everglades, Fla. (Apr 26, 2004) – The Los Angeles class attack submarine USS Miami (SSN 755), homeported in Groton, Conn., prepares to moor at Port Everglades, Fla., for Fleet Week 2004. Fleet Week is a weeklong salute to the U.S. military, which includes a four-day visit by U.S. Navy ships capped off by a two-day air show. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Kevin K. Langford. (RELEASED)
He’s still locked up in prison, serving his time, despite the claims that Fury made. That was what happened to the USS Miami: the stunning tale of intentional destruction, and how harshly it brought the United States Navy to the forefront of its many struggles in keeping its aging submarine fleet operational.
related images you might be interested.
Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. April 26, 2004 -USS Miami (SSN 755), homeported in Groton, Conn., arrived in port today as part of Fleet Week USA 2004. Fleet Week USA is a weeklong salute to the U.S. military, which includes a four-day visit by U.S. Navy ships capped off by a two-day air show.111215-N-AW342-017
GROTON, Conn. (Dec. 15, 2011) The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Miami (SSN 755) returns home to Submarine Base New London following a five-month deployment conducting operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photograph by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Virginia K. Schaefer/Released)071113-N-8132M-014
ARABIAN SEA (Nov. 13, 2007) The nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Miami (SSN 755) steams through the Arabian Sea accompanied by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65), Military Sealift Command fast combat support ship USNS Supply (T-AOE 6), and the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64). Miami is underway as part of the Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG). Enterprise and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 are deployed in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom and Maritime Security Operations. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kiona M. Mckissack (Released)040426-N-4518L-026.Port Everglades, Fla. (Apr. 26, 2004) – Sailors aboard the Los Angeles class attack submarine USS Miami (SSN 755), “man the rails” as they prepare to moor at Port Everglades Fla., for Fleet Week. The Fleet Week celebration is an annual tradition thanking our nation’s sea-going personnel for their dedicated service to our country. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Matthew Keane. (RELEASED).030903-N-5024R-003
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (Sep. 3, 2003) — USS Port Royal (DDG 73) departed on deployment as part of Expeditionary Strike Group One (ESG-1). An ESG constitutes a new naval strike force designed to equip amphibious forces with added firepower and operational capabilities. The seven ships of ESG-1 include, USS Peleliu (LHA 5), USS Germantown (LSD 42), USS Jarrett (FFG 33), USS Ogden (LPD 5), USS Port Royal (CG 73), USS Decatur (DDG 73), and USS Greeneville (SSN 772), along with the Marines of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable). U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Johnnie R. Robbins. (RELEASED)
