Keeping the blogosphere posted on the goings on of the world of submarines since late 2004... and mocking and belittling general foolishness wherever it may be found. Idaho's first and foremost submarine blog. (If you don't like something on this blog, please E-mail me; don't call me at home.)
I just started reading "Silent Steel" about the loss of USS Scorpion (SSN 589). I'll let you know what I think when I'm done, but until then, here's a recent review. Has anyone else out there read it already?
posted by Bubblehead at 11:46 AM
I'm Joel Kennedy -- a married, 50-something year old retired submarine officer and esophageal cancer survivor with three kids who has finally made the transition to civilian life. Politically, I'm a Radical Moderate. (If you don't like something on this blog, please E-mail me. Don't call me at home.)
4 Comments:
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5/08/2006 2:50 PM
I just finished reading the copy at the local library. It is a very interesting read. I also read Craven's book and theory of a torpedo circular run. I am a former TM Launcher Tech on the old Thomas A Edison (gold, overhaul, $ blue crew afterwards). I remember a lot of the dangers of the MK 37 torpedo primary battery and hot runs in the tube and rack were practiced and lectured on constantly. Also the MK testing cable was hammered on. If two "A" cables were hooked together 180 out and used as an extended test cable, then that could cause a hot run. I understood this much better a few years later when I went to Class C shool on the MK37.
From my own view, if a rack stowed weapon had a hot run, then the exploder could be quickly sterialzed with a quick turn of a screw driver and the weapon loaded and impulsed out the tube with the prop guard still installed. This would definately prevent any circular run. That was the TMs nightmare and embaressment; installing splicing the wire guide spool while forgetting to remove the prop guard first. We did not have the large TMDs with flex house back then.
After reading Silent Steel, I now longer believe the torpedo theory, but the battery fire sounds much more likely with some secondary casualties thrown in.
The photographs of the pericsope and mast being extened on the sail sure seem to indicate boat was close to the surface when a casualy struck. That also lends credence to TDU ops. I remmeber the Edison had a TDU can stuck once and tried high speed runs with quick backing in an effort to shake it loose. That didn't work but the reactor did scram on the third try I think. That is what the nucs said happend. Hey, I am just an old knuckle dragger TM, how do I know what scrams a reactor besides too many drills with sleepy nucs?
Bubblehead, if I have said anything that is too sensitive or close to classified, please feel free to modify or delete this post.
Just my $0.02 worth.
TMC(SW) Terry Paul, USN (ret)
5/12/2006 3:27 PM
Regarding Silent Steel, it is the most accurate account of the historical record. For anyone who thinks a torpedo did it, you will need to report for mail bouy watch with chow line and a bucket of steam. Craven is an idiot.
10/08/2006 3:21 AM
Really effective material, thanks so much for the post.
11/02/2011 12:51 AM
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