Some Juicey Insights: USS Scorpion's Deck Camera

U.S. Navy investigations into the loss of the nuclear submarine though reportedly inconclusive, offer few theories.

Accidentally self-torpedoed

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Explosion of torpedo in fire

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Malfunction of Trash Disposal Unit

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However, a few have been more outspoken. In 2203, Admiral P.F. Sullivan wrote the following on behalf of VADM John J. Grossenbacher (Commander Naval Submarine Forces), the Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval Reactors, and others in the US Navy regarding its view of alternative sinking theories:

The first cataclysmic event was of such magnitude that the only possible conclusion is that a cataclysmic event (explosion) occurred resulting in uncontrolled flooding (most likely the forward compartments).

Public speculation over the mysterious cause of USS Scorpion (SSN-589)'s tragic sinking (5 June 1968) with all hands has grown during decades of official fog. Causes proffered by authors include:

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Backlog in submarine maintenance

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Mk 37 (conventional torpedo) explosion

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Soviet retaliation for the sinking of K-129, allegedly by USS Swordfish (SSN-579)

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Ka-25 helicopter anti-submarine torpedoes immediately covered-up by American and Soviet officials, to avoid public outrage and an increase in Cold War tension.

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Neither listing is exhaustive, nor will any of the above be proven totally correct. The Navy wishes us to believe a simple, mundane fault caused the tragedy. Before you decide your favorite theory, do yourself a favor and read some interesting commentary from author (Silent Steel: The Mysterious Death of the Nuclear Attack Sub USS Scorpion) Stephen Johnson's Amazon Blog. Here are only a few tidbits:

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ADM Rickover wanted me to go to the SSBN George Washington, but when I was detached from Scorpion, that was the first time a nuclear sub went to sea without a nuclear trained doctor on board. (BuMed was running out of doctors volunteering for that duty). -Dr. C. J. McGrew, Jr. MD

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About a month later, Dad told me that sub couldn't be found. It spooked me for years. And I never wanted to volunteer for sub service. - James D. Bowers III

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Dan Rogers, the electrician's mate who fought successfully to depart the Scorpion, told me during my first meeting with him in 1987 that he always suspected a malfunctioning TDU as the culprit. - Stephen Johnson

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There are juicier ones that may blow your socks off with disgust, humor and outright amazement. Read them all, as they are fairly short.

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Submarines are always silent and strange.