Could the depths of the ocean truly conceal a tragedy of such magnitude that it would forever alter the course of naval history? The loss of the USS Thresher in 1963, with all 129 souls on board, stands as a stark reminder of the unforgiving nature of the deep sea and the perils of technological innovation.
The US Navy's second submarine to be named after the thresher shark, the USS Thresher (SSN-593) was a technological marvel of its time, representing the cutting edge of submarine design and capability. Commissioned on August 3, 1961, under the command of Commander Dean W. Warder, the Thresher was built to hunt and destroy. It was the first in a revolutionary new class of warship. The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine, was the construction site for this vessel, which would go on a mission on April 9, 1963, a mission that would become her last. Following commissioning, she completed trials in the Atlantic and Caribbean areas, testing her new technological systems and weapons.
The events of April 10, 1963, unfolded approximately 220 miles east of the coast. During a deep-diving test, an unexpected reactor scram occurred. The subsequent cascade of failures, which included a loss of power, led the Thresher to descend beyond its crush depth. The vessel imploded under the immense pressure of the deep ocean, taking with it all 129 crew members and civilian personnel. This event represents the worst submarine disaster in U.S. Naval history.
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The search for the wreckage and the subsequent recovery of artifacts from the debris field provided further insight. This gallery of photos shows the debris field & final resting place of the nuclear submarine USS Thresher, was taken 8400 feet below sea level. The internal watertight submarine door provides a haunting reminder of the lives lost. The sonar dome, photographed on August 24 during the bathyscaph Trieste's second series of dives, gives a glimpse into the technological sophistication of the vessel. Even the insulation rockwool thermal insulation, captured in photographs during the same dives, evokes a sense of the ships final moments. The conning station, sail planes, and torpedo shutter door are also present, each a poignant piece of the puzzle.
As the details of the tragedy began to surface, the nation was left to grapple with both grief and the profound lessons learned. In November 2013, a freedom of information act request was filed for more pictures/video of the wreckage of the USS Scorpion. The only pictures found were of the construction of the photo mosaic of the debris field. Most of the Thresher debris was photographed by USNS Mizar operated by the Naval Research Laboratory. The after messenger bouy cavity from the Scorpion resting on the ocean floor in more than 10,000 feet of water is a vivid example. The messenger bouy is used to mark the position of the escape hatch of a distressed submarine.
The investigation that followed the loss of the Thresher was extensive, and the resulting findings led to significant changes in submarine design, construction, and operational procedures. Jim Bryant (Capt. USN, Ret.), former CO of the Thresher's sister ship, the USS Guardfish (SSN 612), is instrumental in getting the USN to redact and release the testimonies and exhibits from the court of inquiry on the loss of the Thresher. The USN is releasing these documents at a rate of approximately 300 pages per month. The release dates are usually around the 26th of each month. The release began in the last few months.
The U.S. Navy photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. The pictures are interior shots of the nuclear attack submarine USS Thresher (SSN 593). The incident occurred on April 10, 1963, when the Thresher sank in 8,400 feet (2,600 m) of water, resulting in the loss of all 129 lives on board.
The loss of the Thresher remains a somber chapter in naval history, a reminder of the sacrifices made in the pursuit of technological advancement and the enduring power of the sea. The legacy of the USS Thresher serves as a powerful and enduring reminder of the need for diligence, safety, and respect for the forces of nature, as well as a tribute to the courage and sacrifice of those who serve beneath the waves.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | USS Thresher (SSN-593) |
| Class | Thresher-class nuclear submarine |
| Commissioned | August 3, 1961 |
| Commander | Commander Dean W. Warder |
| Fate | Lost on April 10, 1963 |
| Cause of Loss | Likely hull failure due to a reactor scram and related mechanical failures |
| Location of Sinking | Approximately 220 miles east of the coast of Massachusetts |
| Depth of Sinking | Approximately 8,400 feet (2,600 meters) |
| Loss of Life | 129 (all hands) |
| Significance | Worst submarine disaster in U.S. Naval history, led to significant safety improvements in submarine design and operation. |
For more information, you can consult the official U.S. Navy archives and historical documents.
Reference: U.S. Navy Official Website
The legacy of the USS Thresher continues to resonate through time. The search for wreckage and the recovery of the artifacts related to the loss of the submarine provided a somber insight to the tragic incident. The photograph of the conning station at arrow (1), upside down, is a harrowing symbol of the cataclysmic end. Below the sail is a torpedo shutter door (3), another painful reminder of the loss of life and technology. An air bottle (4) and actuating gear for the torpedo shutter door (5), all became silent witnesses to the implosion. The quoted text is from the caption released with the original image, which was received by the naval, adds to the weight of sorrow and the gravity of the tragic accident. The loss of the Thresher remains a solemn reminder of the perils and sacrifices associated with submarine warfare.
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