USS Bonhomme Richard Fire

By: Logan Antio

Editor: Grace Pilkay

Senior Editor: Brianna Madison

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In July of 2020, the USS Bonhomme Richard burned for four days in San Diego, California. The fire was allegedly set by Seaman Apprentice Ryan Sawyer Mays, who was charged with aggravated arson and willful hazarding of a vessel. Although the fire was started by arson, a 400-page Navy report concluded that there were multiple failures at all levels. The report identified 36 sailors, five Admirals and nine civilians, as part of the reason that the ship was lost.

During the investigation, the main failures were uncovered. The USS Bonhomme was in the process of an upgrade to accommodate the F-35C fighter jet, which left the ship degraded in heat detection, communication, and firefighting systems. Most of the ship’s fire stations were out of commission during the four-day fire. The report states, "A pattern of failed drills, minimal crew participation, an absence of basic knowledge on firefighting" left the sailors unprepared and unable to cooperate with civilian firefighters.

The fire began in a deck that contained materials such as plywood, ammunition, and fueled vehicles. It wasn’t until 10 minutes after the fire had started that it was discovered. The fire destroyed 11 of the 14 decks on the Bonhomme Richard. Because of the massive amount of damage, the one billion dollar ship commissioned in 1998, has been decommissioned and scrapped. It’s been estimated that repairs would have taken up to seven years and cost more than 3 billion(USD). A new ship to replace the Bonnehome Richard will take about six years to complete and cost 4.1 billion(USD).