USS DOLPHIN (AGSS 555), Fire and Flooding, 22 May 2002          

Navy Sub Catches Fire in San Diego
05/22/2002 9:12 AM EDT

SAN DIEGO (AP) - A Navy research submarine caught fire and partially flooded, but all 43 people aboard were rescued, military officials said Wednesday.

The submarine Dolphin reported fire and flooding at 11:30 p.m. Pacific time Tuesday as it was operating on the surface about 100 miles off the coast of San Diego.

The crew was evacuated by small boat to the McGaw, another Navy vessel in the vicinity at the time and was on its way to San Diego Wednesday morning.

Two crew members who fell in the water during the rescue were recovered by a Coast Guard helicopter.

Navy spokeswoman Lt. Kim Marks said there were a few minor injuries but could not elaborate what they were.

The fire and flooding were controlled and the submarine was stabilized early Wednesday, military officials said. The vessel remained at the accident site being assisted by two other vessels and was expected to be transported back to San Diego later Wednesday.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.

The USS Dolphin, stationed in San Diego, is the Navy's lone diesel-electric research submarine. Commissioned in 1968, the 165-foot-long vessel established a world depth record for operating submarines, with a recorded test depth of more than 3,000 feet.