National Security

Collision that killed 7 sailors almost sank Navy destroyer

By Caitlin Yilek
Published June 18, 2017 4:03pm ET
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Collision that killed 7 sailors almost sank Navy destroyer
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald returns to Fleet Activities Yokosuka following a collision with a merchant vessel while operating southwest of Yokosuka, Japan. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Peter Burghart/Released) | MC1 Peter Burghart

A U.S. Navy destroyer nearly sank after it collided with a merchant vessel off the coast of Japan on Saturday.

“They had to fight this ship to keep it above the surface. It was traumatic,” Vice Adm. Joseph P. Aucoin said Sunday, according to the Washington Post.

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A majority of the damage to the USS Fitzgerald happened under the waterline near the ship’s keel, leading to a “tremendous” amount of water rushing into two berthing cabins and a machinery room, Aucoin said.

The bodies of seven sailors were found in the berthing compartments, the Navy Times reported Saturday.

The investigation into the crash is ongoing.

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Japan Navy