USS Scorpion

USS Scorpion was a Skipjack-class submarine of the United States Navy that was lost at sea on May 22, 1968. The submarine was commissioned on July 29, 1960, and was homeported at Naval Station Norfolk under the command of Commander Francis Slattery. The USS Scorpion was equipped with advanced Mark 37 torpedoes and Mark 45 torpedoes, and was designed to operate in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. The submarine was also part of the United States Sixth Fleet and participated in several NATO exercises, including Operation Steel Pike.

● History

The USS Scorpion was built by General Dynamics Electric Boat and was launched on July 29, 1959. The submarine was sponsored by Elizabeth S. Morrison, the wife of Assistant Secretary of the Navy John T. McNaughton. The USS Scorpion was commissioned on July 29, 1960, and began its shakedown cruise in the Caribbean Sea under the command of Commander Norman B. Bessac. The submarine also visited several ports, including Kingston, Jamaica and Willemstad, Curaçao, and participated in several exercises with the United States Atlantic Fleet. The USS Scorpion was also equipped with advanced AN/BQQ-2 sonar and AN/BQS-4 sonar systems, which were designed by General Electric and Honeywell.

● Design and construction

The USS Scorpion was a Skipjack-class submarine designed by General Dynamics Electric Boat and built at the Groton, Connecticut shipyard. The submarine was powered by a S5W reactor and had a top speed of over 30 knots. The USS Scorpion was also equipped with six 21-inch torpedo tubes and carried a crew of 99 officers and men. The submarine was designed to operate in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, and was equipped with advanced navigation systems, including LORAN-C and Omega Navigation System. The USS Scorpion was also part of the United States Navy's Submarine Force, Atlantic Fleet, which was commanded by Vice Admiral Bernard L. Austin.

● Service history

The USS Scorpion began its service in the United States Navy in 1960 and was homeported at Naval Station Norfolk. The submarine participated in several exercises and operations, including Operation Springboard and Operation Unitas. The USS Scorpion also visited several ports, including Rotterdam, Netherlands and Gibraltar, and participated in several NATO exercises, including Operation Northern Wedding. The submarine was commanded by several officers, including Commander Francis Slattery and Commander Robert L. Foster, and was part of the United States Sixth Fleet under the command of Vice Admiral William F. Bringle. The USS Scorpion was also equipped with advanced Mark 48 torpedoes and Mark 50 torpedoes, which were designed by Honeywell and General Dynamics.

● Loss

The USS Scorpion was lost at sea on May 22, 1968, while returning from a deployment in the Mediterranean Sea. The submarine was last heard from on May 21, 1968, and was reported missing on May 22, 1968. A search and rescue operation was launched by the United States Navy, which included several ships and aircraft, including the USS Randolph and the USS Wasp. The wreckage of the USS Scorpion was located on October 30, 1968, by the USNS Mizar and the Deep Sea Submersible Alvin, which was operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. The cause of the loss of the USS Scorpion was never determined, but several theories have been proposed, including a torpedo explosion and a battery explosion.

● Investigation and controversy

The loss of the USS Scorpion was the subject of a lengthy investigation by the United States Navy, which was led by Admiral Bernard L. Austin. The investigation found that the cause of the loss was likely a combination of factors, including a torpedo explosion and a battery explosion. However, several theories have been proposed over the years, including a Soviet submarine attack and a CIA operation. The loss of the USS Scorpion was also the subject of several books and documentaries, including "Scorpion Down" by Ed Offley and "The Last Dive" by Bernie Chowdhury. The incident was also investigated by the United States Congress, which held several hearings on the matter, including a hearing by the House Armed Services Committee.

● Legacy

The loss of the USS Scorpion was a significant tragedy for the United States Navy and the families of the 99 crew members who were lost. The incident led to several changes in the way that the United States Navy operates its submarines, including the implementation of new safety procedures and the development of new technologies, such as the Submarine Rescue System. The USS Scorpion is also remembered as one of the most advanced submarines of its time, with a top speed of over 30 knots and advanced sonar systems. The submarine is also commemorated by a memorial at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, which was dedicated by President Richard Nixon in 1970. The incident was also recognized by the American Legion, which awarded the USS Scorpion crew the Medal of Valor.