Uncovered Hatches: In a construction mishap reminiscent of past U.S. incidents, the lead vessel of China’s new nuclear-powered attack submarine class reportedly sank while docked, echoing the 1969 sinking of the U.S. Navy’s USS Guitarro (SSN 665) in San Francisco Bay.

-The Guitarro’s mishap occurred as nuclear and non-nuclear work teams independently filled tanks for separate assignments without coordination, leading to uncontrolled flooding through uncovered hatches.

-After the Navy's investigation cited "culpable negligence" and inadequate communication, it took three days to refloat the submarine, delaying its commissioning by almost three years and costing $140 million in repairs.

In September, U.S. defense officials revealed that the lead ship of a new class of Chinese nuclear-powered attack submarines sunk while undergoing construction.

The incident took place in the spring, and the Chinese government sought to hide the fact until a think tank analyst spotted the sunk sub at its pier.

Although a hugely embarrassing incident for the ambitious Chinese military, it is not........

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