The Disappearance of the USS Scorpion

The History of the Mysterious Sinking of the American Nuclear Submarine

By: Charles River Editors

Narrated by: Ken Teutsch

It takes a special type of person to serve in a nation's navy, especially on long voyages that separate men and women from their loved ones, and no service is both loved and hated as that aboard submarines, for very few people ever serve on them on a whim. For one thing, the psychological impact of being trapped for long periods underwater in tight, cramped quarters is more than many people can stand. Also, submarine service is uncharacteristically hazardous; after all, if a surface vessel is sunk, the crew has a reasonable chance of escaping death in lifeboats or being rescued out of the water by another ship. Conversely, if a submarine is badly damaged while submerged, the crew's chances of survival are at best remote. On the other hand, for those who choose to make the careers as submariners, there is no more beloved service. That is, one hopes, how it was for the 99 men who were serving on the USS Scorpion on May 22, 1968, the fateful day the submarine is believed to have sank. It appears that the crew members died quickly, but however it happened, the grief experienced by their family members dragged on for decades, exacerbated both by the Navy's lack of information about the submarine's final moments and the government's unwillingness to share what little knowledge it had.

©2016 Charles River Editors (P)2016 Charles River Editors

A Great Recap of the USS Scorpion Tragedy

This is a great overview of the circumstances surrounding the disappearance and sinking of the USS Scorpion back in 1968. It is long enough to cover the facts and theories, but short enough to get through in an hour or so. A reminder of how quickly things can go wrong under the waves. There wasn't a chance to even communicate a problem to Norfolk. Unlike the Thresher in 1963, the Scorpion was mostly in large sections, so it probably wasn't terribly deep when flooding commenced. A reminder of the sacrifices of the men, their families, and loved ones, and a tribute to the men of the USS Scorpion. It also highlights the extensive search and those involved in locating the submarine.

Deceptive

This is no more than newspaper article and narrator should be jailed along with author.