USS Ohio (October 07 Image Update)
This is the USS Ohio, an Ohio class submarine cruising along the US/Canada border in the Straight of Juan de Fuca. Flanked to the north and south, it looks like it has its missile tubes open, as seen in this image.
The best thing about the appearance of this sub is that it tells us that the October 07 image update has finally made it onto Google Maps! Expect lots of exciting new posts, and get submitting your sights!
More about the Ohio class submarines at Wikipedia.
Thanks: DelPeiro & pooms
Apologes if this has shown up in your newsreader several times - James and I were writing exactly the same post at the same time!
I don’t think the tubes are open, but the ship is equipped with two dry dock shelters. And the escorts are probably Coast Guard. Is there a way to find out the approximate date of the image (month/year)?
How can you be sure it’s the USS Ohio? Couldn’t it be just another submarine? Is the Ohio the only one which cruises in this area?
@WRA: earthgoogler on the Google Earth forum dated this picture to October 23rd, 2006.
@neptoon: Again, see earthgoogler’s post above for a justification of the ID
@James
Thanks for clarification. Not that I would have any doubt in the words of the almighty gss team
um guys if you read the posts, the missiles tubes are not open, but have the seal dry docks attached.
I’m guessing that everyone saw the forth ship in the image. I’m guessing it’s also Coast Guard, but it’s interesting that he’s so far back from the formation.
I zoomed in on the escort ships. The are short and stubby with a high prow. It is more likely that they are yard tugs that will assist the ship in docking. Submarines are pretty much like unpowered barges when they get close to a dock with no lateral thrust capability.
Bremerton, WA is the host to a squadron of Ohio Class missile submarines capable of carrying 24 missiles. I am not up on the open Seal Dock but that might have replaces some tubes during a previous overhaul. Anyone have a clue on that?
Rick
Just for the record, the image update came out on October 2nd in Google Earth. And I mentioned the sub find at GEB on October 5th (it was found by someone at the GEC):
http://www.gearthblog.com/blog/archives/2007/10/links_ohio_class_sub_galactic_delig.html
Finally, you’re waging war on Canada and not a day too soon!
@josh: Uh, I didn’t! Maybe it’s just a slow boat
@Frank: You’re not the first to misinterpret the 07: it’s October 2007, not October 7th!
I found DelPeiro’s placemark when it was posted on the forum but we were waiting for the maps update before posting it here.
Declaring war on Canada? There a Russian sub alongside in the middle of Seattle already, perhaps that’s got something to do with it.
Hm, three flat-tops, about two dozen subs, Placemark: Google Maps / Google Earth
Hm, Bremerton seems to have a dry dock waiting for her - quite apart from three flat-tops, about two dozen subs, a couple of cruisers, and only one ring of torpedo nets…
neptoon~ The Ohio was the only sub that had recently left PSNS in Bremerton recently.