Lost two US Sailors at sea
 

Report: 2 U.S. Sailors Die After Falling off Submarine
Friday, December 29, 2006

Two U.S. sailors died after waves swept them from the deck of a nuclear submarine off the coast of southwestern England on Friday, British coast guards said. The USS Minneapolis-St. Paul was leaving Plymouth harbor in rough weather around midday, said Sean Brooks, a coast guard spokesman. Four sailors were tied to the vessel with ropes — a routine precaution — but two fell into the surging water. British rescue boats picked up all four, Brooks said. The nuclear-powered attack submarine, which is based in Norfolk, Virginia, has a crew of 110 and can reach speeds exceeding 30 mph. Its weapons include torpedoes and Tomahawk cruise missiles. Sixth Fleet is the operational arm of U.S. Naval Forces Europe and is primarily responsible for the Mediterranean and western and central Africa. Source: AP

Another report

LONDON, England (Reuters) -- Two U.S. sailors were killed after falling overboard from a nuclear-powered submarine as it left the southern English port of Plymouth on Friday, the U.S. Navy said.

Two other sailors who fell overboard from the USS Minneapolis-St. Paul suffered minor injuries but were later released from hospital, a spokesman for the U.S. Navy's 6th fleet in Italy said.

The Navy said the cause of the accident was under investigation.

The Minneapolis-St. Paul had spent a week in port at Plymouth and was leaving the Devonport naval base when the accident happened.

Sixth fleet spokesman Lieutenant Chris Servello said the four sailors were rescued by fellow crew members and British authorities after falling overboard and were taken to a local hospital, where two of them were pronounced dead.

The Navy was not releasing the names of the dead sailors pending notification of next of kin, he said.

The submarine remained at sea after the accident, he said.

The Minneapolis-St. Paul has its home port at Norfolk, Virginia.

Minneapolis-St. Paul sailor remembered as ?dedicated?

The Associated Press



A crew member of the submarine Minneapolis-St. Paul bows his head in prayer at a memorial service for Senior Chief Electronics Technician (SS) Thomas Higgins and Sonar Technician Submarine 2nd Class (SS) Michael Holtz held at Naval Station Rota, Spain. Both sailors died after falling overboard Dec. 29, while the submarine was leaving Devonport Naval Base, England. ? Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Kristine DeHoux / Navy

MAYFIELD, Ky. ? The sister of a sailor from western Kentucky who was killed in rough seas said he was dedicated to the Navy and loved his job.

Senior Chief Electronics Technician (SS) Thomas Higgins, 45, and another sailor died Dec. 29 after being swept off the submarine Minneapolis-St. Paul as it left Devonport Naval Base in southwestern England.

Judith Higgins Scheffler, 50, of Mayfield said she may not have loved Higgins? career choice but respected it because he loved the job.

?He was a very dedicated guy to the Navy,? Scheffler told The Paducah Sun for a story in Thursday?s paper. ?We respected that he loved his job,? Scheffler said.

Family members wanted Higgins to retire after 20 years in the military but the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks prompted him to stay, Scheffler said.

Higgins and Sonar Technician (Submarine) 2nd Class Michael J. Holtz, 30, of Lakewood, Ohio, were pulled from the water by fellow crew members and British authorities. They were pronounced dead at a local hospital. Two other sailors swept into the water by surging waves were treated for minor injuries and released.

Higgins was a 1979 graduate of Mayfield High School. He enlisted in the Navy at age 20 after living for a year in Paducah. He was last based at the submarine?s home port of Norfolk, Va., where he lived with his wife, Tina Higgins, and 16-year-old son, Christopher.

Scheffler said Higgins was smart, humble and sweet ? and always carried a smile on his face. Higgins enjoyed taking care of the sailors on the submarine, Scheffler said.


?I think they were very impressed with him, and we?re praying for them, too,? she said. ?It?s so unique to be the best at your job on the boat and be so loved by the men.?

Higgins also is survived by his mother, Alice Higgins, 80, of Mayfield, and a brother, Hal Higgins, who lives in Newport, Mich.

R.I.P., shipmates! See you on the final cruise!

R.I.P., shipmates!