Unravelling Submarine Controversy ... Interesting

A former USS Scorpion crew member phoned the Houston Chronicle in 1987. The call introduced Stephen Johnson to the controversial loss of SSN-589 with her 99 crew declared June 5, 1968. Johnson researched and wrote several stories about the mystery, including Silent Steel: The Mysterious Death of the Nuclear Attack Sub USS Scorpion, which hardened submariners will want to read in its entirety.

Meantime, the author also wrote 'for relatives of Scorpion crew confused by conspiracy theories and fictional claims about what killed their loved ones' Review of the Evidence Sinking the Myths.

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The intriguing photo shows at least two unexpected and difficult even for submariners to visualize results. Resting at 10,000 feet, the stern cone has been forced into the engine room compartment by horrific forces (the YouTube below will quickly aid your visualization). Easier to behold, but perhaps as surprising is the crush effect on the stern plane welding ribs. Hmmm! That can only mean -(submariners will immediately understand the principles and underlying design rationale.).

U.S.S. Scorpion breakup visualization YouTube...


Author Johnson introduces some enticing tidbits you can read for yourself. I was not disappointed. Although the quality of his writing and presentation of facts is excellent, I did not like Johnson's comparison to TWA 800 conspiracy theories, which is tangentially related at best.

Submarines are always silent and strange.

The SSN-589 mystery: always Silent and Strange

There are conflicting (strange) explanations for what may have happened to the US submarine sunk mysteriously while we were attending submarine school (submariners are not superstitious). Had an intentional act of war by the Soviets sent 99 of our silent service contempories, the Scorpion's crew on May 22, 1968, to eternal patrol?

A new book provides a plausible explanation of tragic events and strange coverup efforts:
Scorpion Down: Sunk by the Soviets, Buried by the Pentagon: The Untold Story of the USS Scorpion

Reviews here. The Navy gave classified briefing on the lost sub about a year later. Although hull photos and a somewhat more detailed narrative were provided, I recall no stated resolution of cause, and lots of hush at the time. Some photos are now on the web.

Deceptions are as legitimately purposeful and routine in the silent service as for FBI undercover agents investigating the mob. Here is an off topic book related to the latter.

Old Gary at Contrary points out more journalistic error in an article about the new submarine book's local author:
"The USS Scorpion nuclear submarine sank in the Mediterranean Sea in May 1968 with the loss of all 99 men on board."The Scorpion actually was lost in the Atlantic Ocean, near the Azores.