A sounding was taken and the depth indicated the submarine was in deep waters. Before the new sounding was even recorded (This is what I heard before the boat reached port, it conflicts with the official report), a massive bang and a shuddering rumble brought the San Francisco to a near halt. An emergency blow brought the boat to the ocean surface. As crewmen jumped to their feet and headed to their normal watch stations, injury reports came in across the boat. In the blink of an eye, shattered plates and spilled food were cleared from the crew's mess as it was converted into a Damage Control center and make-shift medical facility. Some crewmen assumed the watches of their injured shipmates while others provided medical attention.

No US nuclear submarine has ever sustained this much damage and reached the surface.

Half of the crew of 137 received small injuries from bruises to cuts, while an additional 23 were so badly injured they were removed from watch standing. Two crewmen were unconscious and laid on tables in the crew's mess. As the hours progressed, the ship's corpsman, one of the officers (formerly a corpsman) and others with minor medical training tirelessly worked to stabilize and aid the injured.

Ships moored in Guam put to sea to render assistance and plans were made to transfer the injured off of the crippled submarine, now slowly making it's way back to Guam. The next morning a small boat transfer was made impossible by rough seas and it was decided to move the most severely injured sailor, MM2 Ashley, off of the submarine by helicopter. With handrails and portable equipment removed, Ashley was carried by stretcher though the narrow corridors. Technical difficulties prevented the helicopter transfer, and at 13:11, January 9th, MM2 Joseph Ashley gave his life for his country aboard the USS San Francisco.

Corpsmen and a surgeon are brought on board via helicopter. Multiple attempts to extract MM2 Ashley failed.

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