USS Scorpion Sinks in the Atlantic Ocean

May 22nd, 1968

May 22nd, 1968

USS Scorpion Sinks in the Atlantic Ocean
How Long Ago?

56 years, 9 months, 21 days ago

Location

Atlantic Ocean, near Azores

Category

Military & Warfare

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USS Scorpion Sinks in the Atlantic Ocean

The nuclear-powered submarine USS Scorpion sank 400 miles southwest of the Azores on May 22, 1968, with 99 crew members aboard. The vessel, part of the United States Navy, was on its return to Norfolk, Virginia, after undergoing repairs in the Mediterranean. The exact cause of the sinking is still debated, with potential factors including mechanical failure or an accident during operations. Despite the extensive search and rescue efforts, the wreckage was discovered later that year at a depth of over 10,000 feet in the Atlantic Ocean.

USS Scorpion lost communication on May 21, 1968.

The submarine sank 400 miles southwest of Azores.

99 crew members were aboard during the sinking.

Wreck was found at a depth of 10,000 feet.

What Happened?

USS Scorpion (SSN-589) was a nuclear-powered submarine of the United States Navy, commissioned in 1960. The submarine was part of a class designed to enhance naval capabilities during the Cold War, emphasizing stealth and the ability to launch attacks against both surface ships and land targets. By May 1968, Scorpion was returning from a Mediterranean deployment. Onboard were 99 men, including crew members and officers, as they navigated the Atlantic back to Norfolk, Virginia. On May 21, Scorpion lost communication. A search for the submarine ensued, but it didn't surface as expected. The U.S. Navy launched a large search operation, deploying naval vessels and aircraft to locate the missing submarine, which was highly complex due to the vast ocean area involved.Days of searching yielded no results until October of that year, when a deep-sea exploration team located the wreckage approximately 400 miles southwest of the Azores, at a depth of 10,000 feet. Investigations indicated that the submarine had sustained significant damage, leading to speculation about mechanical failure or possibly an ordnance explosion. The circumstances surrounding its sinking were never fully determined, leading to a myriad of theories about the cause of the tragedy and contributing to ongoing discussions about submarine safety and the broader implications of Cold War-era military technology.

Why Does it Matter?

The sinking of USS Scorpion highlighted significant issues surrounding submarine operations and safety protocols during the Cold War. It raised questions about the reliability of nuclear-powered vessels and the challenges faced in underwater warfare. The incident generated public interest in military accountability and transparency, leading to reforms in naval operational procedures and heightened awareness about the risks associated with submarine service.

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