Greeneville's former skipper retires

By Mike Gordon
Advertiser Staff Writer

For the first time in 20 years, Scott Waddle woke up yesterday as a civilian.

It was not the end he pictured during his career as a Navy officer, or during his time as captain of the nuclear submarine USS Greeneville. But when the submarine accidentally collided with the Ehime Maru Feb. 9, Waddle's career sank along with the Japanese vessel.

Waddle's last day as an active-duty Navy commander was Sunday, said Lt. Cmdr. Kelly Merrell, spokeswoman for the U.S. Pacific Fleet's submarine force. He had been assigned to a desk job in Pearl Harbor and assisted with determining use of attack submarines in the Pacific, Merrell said.

Nine men and boys died when the Ehime Maru sank some nine miles south of Diamond Head.

The collision strained relations between the United States and Japan when it was revealed that the Greeneville was demonstrating an emergency surfacing drill for civilian guests when it struck the Ehime Maru.

Adm. Thomas Fargo, the fleet commander, convened a rare court of inquiry in March. For 12 days, the actions of Waddle and his crew were scrutinized by three U.S. admirals.

In April, Fargo held a discipline hearing and found Waddle guilty of dereliction of duty and negligent handling of the Greeneville on the day of the collision. Waddle also received a punitive letter of reprimand.

The disciplinary measures ended Waddle's career.

The retired commander has not said publicly what he will do, but friends speculated in April that he would probably do well in the civilian world because of his engineering skills and ability to manage people.

Waddle's retirement comes as the Navy struggles to make good on a promise fleet commanders made to raise the Ehime Maru so divers can search its hull for the missing men and boys. The ship lies in 2,000 feet of water, and several attempts to rig it for the unprecedented move have not worked as anticipated.

So far, the project has cost about $60 million.

Meanwhile, the Greeneville is in Guam while its crew undergoes an evaluation of seamanship and navigational practices because the submarine ran aground Aug. 27 while entering a harbor in Saipan.

The Navy relieved the captain — Cmdr. David Bogdan — and spent $120,000 on repairs.

Reach Mike Gordon at mgordon@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8012.