Whereas normally this post would be some vintage ironclad, battleship or steam sloop, today we honor the men who lost their lives 50 years ago this week when USS Scorpion (SSN-589) a Skipjack-class nuclear powered submarine sunk some 750-miles south-west of Azores under 9,600 feet of cold Atlantic water.
Her brave crew of 99 Sailors lost their lives in one of the greatest non-wartime tragedies in the U.S. Navy’s history.
Gratefully, it was over in moments.
Time based on hydroacoustic events of the Scorpion sinking recorded at the Canary Islands. Source: Supplementary Record of Proceedings of Court of Inquiry by commander-in-chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet:
1859:35: Torpedo warhead explosion on port side of middle of sub causes rapid flooding of control room and other areas amidships. Water passes through access tunnel to reactor and auxiliary machinery room.
1901:06: Torpedo compartment bulkhead collapses, causing rapid flooding.
1901:10 Engine room bulkhead collapses aft into engine room, causing 85-foot stern section of submarine to telescope forward into auxiliary machinery and reactor compartments.
Today, we honor their courage, their service to our country and their commitment to duty.
Vale, Scorpion, may your final crew rest peacefully and on eternal patrol.