Loss of the USS Scorpion SSN 589 on 22 May 1968 . . .
When the US nuclear submarine Scorpion was lost in the east central Atlantic on 22 May 1968, the event produced a series of acoustic signals detected by underwater
sensors on both sides of the Atlantic.
By comparing the detection times of these signals, the position of the Scorpion was determined. That position provided the basis for the search that
identified the Scorpion wreckage.
The first reanalysis of these acoustic signals in 40-years, in combination with conclusions drawn in 1970 by the Scorpion Structural Analysis Group (SAG),
has provided the following new information:
- The initiating events that caused the loss of Scorpion were two explosions with an energy yield of not more than 20-lbs of TNT each.
These explosions, which occurred one-half second apart at 18:20:44 Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) on the 22 May 1968, were contained within the
Scorpion pressure-hull.
- Based on the examination and microscopic, spectrographic and X-ray diffraction analysis of a section of the Scorpion TLX-53-A main storage battery
cover recovered by the U.S. submersible, Trieste-II, the SAG determined the battery exploded before flooding of the battery well occurred.
- Collectively, the acoustic data and the physical evidence confirm Scorpion was lost because of two explosions that involved the ignition of hydrogen
out gassed by the battery, i.e., these explosions were the initiating events responsible for the loss of Scorpion.
- These explosive events prevented the crew from maintaining depth-control. The Scorpion pressure-hull and all internal compartments
collapsed in 0.112-seconds at 18:42:34 GMT on 22 May 1968 at a depth of 1530-feet. The energy yield of that event was equal to the explosion of 13,200 lbs of TNT,
the essentially instantaneous conversion of potential energy (680 psi sea pressure) to kinetic energy, the motion of the water-ram which entered the
pressure-hull at supersonic velocity.
- The more than 15 acoustic events that occurred during the 199-second period following pressure-hull collapse were produced by the collapse of more
pressure-resistant structures, including the six torpedo tubes, within the wreckage.
- Reanalysis of the acoustic data also confirmed:
(1) Scorpion did not reverse course to deal with a torpedo conjectured to have become active in its launch tube;
(2), there were no acoustic detections of either a torpedo or any other naval surface ship or submarine when Scorpion was lost,
(3), there were no explosive events external to the Scorpion pressure-hull.
In summary, Scorpion was lost because two battery-associated explosions created onboard problems the crew could not overcome. There was no Soviet involvement.
This information has been provided to the Chief of Naval Operations, OPNAV N87, the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI), Commander Submarine Forces,
and the Naval History and Heritage Command.
Source: analysis of acoustic data that has been in the public domain for over 40-years.
Analyst: B. Rule, for 42-years, the lead acoustic analyst at ONI, the national laboratory for passive acoustic analysis.
Text courtesy of Chuck Haberlein.[Former Director of the Naval History and Heritage Command]
