[Duce]

The USS Thresher nuclear-powered submarine failed to surface 220 miles east of Boston, Mass., in a disaster that claimed 129 lives.

The USS Thresher (SSN-593) was the lead boat of her class of nuclear-powered attack submarines in the United States Navy.

Her loss at sea in the North Atlantic during deep-diving tests approximately 220 miles east of Boston, Massachusetts was a watershed event for the U.S. Navy, leading to the implementation of a rigorous submarine safety program known as SUBSAFE.

As the first nuclear submarine lost at sea, its disappearance generated international shock and sympathy.

 

[BlueSun]

I seem to recall that Robert Ballard, who later found the Titanic wreckage, was given some of his funding with the stipulation that he first find the Thresher and some other military wreckage.

My old man, in grad school at the time, worked with him as an oceanographer.

 

[Tom Paine]

I do remember this, as young as I was.

 

[OMCHamlin]

I worked at submarine bases for a lot of my career, and as part of every QA training, we started with the tapes of Thresher, just so we understood what was at stake...

 

[LimaCharlie]

I was in high school during this incident. I was on duty in the Navy when the USS Scorpion was reported overdue on May 27, 1968. I remember the Admiral walking in and announcing it.

 

[2motorbike]

I remember the shock of the news reverberating through my family because my half brother was serving in the submarine fleet at the time.

 

[jarhead714]

At least we fairly know what happened to the Thresher. What happened to Scorpion will likely forever be shrouded in speculation.

 

[MRusan]

The USS Thresher nuclear-powered submarine failed to surface 220 miles east of Boston, Mass., in a disaster that claimed 129 lives.

The USS Thresher (SSN-593) was the lead boat of her class of nuclear-powered attack submarines in the United States Navy.

Her loss at sea in the North Atlantic during deep-diving tests approximately 220 miles east of Boston, Massachusetts was a watershed event for the U.S. Navy, leading to the implementation of a rigorous submarine safety program known as SUBSAFE.

As the first nuclear submarine lost at sea, its disappearance generated international shock and sympathy.

View attachment 477087

We have old silent 8mm film footage of the Thresher leaving the barn bow first in Portsmouth that my Dad took from a helicopter when he was in the Air Force. Whole crew at attention on deck. We also have the same of the Abraham Lincoln. He almost ran out of spring wind on that one as it was VERY long.