Nuclear Submarine LOST by the U.S. Navy | The Proof Is Out There: Military Mysteries (S1)

What's the real truth behind the mysterious sinking of an American nuclear submarine and why did the Navy try to cover it up? See more in Season 1, Episode 5, "Mystery of the USS Scorpion, B-24 Air Explosion, Backyard Bombs, Operation Bolo."

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[cpraed]

I was one of the last persons to see members of the Scorpion crew alive. Scorpion was tied to my dad’s ship two miles out in the Bay of Naples because the Italians did not want a nuclear ship in their port for its last liberty port of call. I was 17 and had just graduated from high school. I got a tour of Scorpion while they were there. When they left Naples, they made a stop in Rota, Spain and then headed home. I will never forgive the navy for leaving the crew families waiting for hours at the dock only to sent home when the boat did not arrive. It was my understanding that there was a lot of support for the trash disposal unit (TDU) being the suspected cause of Scorpion’s sinking.

[mrod]

Looks like the top sail hit a propeller. Like ghosting a ship ?
Why dont we recover it and remove all doubt and give closure to families and those that continue to serve.

[NukedOgre]

Heres an interesting fact that I cant believe is unclassified, the SCORPION has torpedoes with nuclear warheads on it!

[fidelcatsro]

Why dont they make any attempt to retrieve the sub today ??
Dont these nuclear subs leak radiation into the sea?

[BartG-]

They know ! I guarantee you, they know . We probably never will though ?

[pauledwards]

Scorpion hadn't gone down the Titanic wouldn't have been discovered by Ballard

[edgreany]

I was a sonar tech on the USS Will Rogers SSBN659 Gold crew and preparing to go on patrol leaving from Rota, Spain. I had volunteered to be the ship's photographer although I had no training in photography. The boat assigned a Nicon 35mm camera and all attachments to me. One day I decided to go ashore and see if I could get the camera to work for me. We were tied up alongside the sub tender (I forgot the name) which was stern backed up to the pier. I transferred across the tender to the pier and that is when I noted the Scorpion tied up alongside the pier. I thought Rota was only for SSBN subs and Scorpion was an SSN. It was obvious she was getting ready to cast off all lines so I thought that would make some nice action shots if they turn out for me. I began a few shots when pretty soon two Marine MPs tapped me on the shoulder and ordered me to report to the OOD of the Tender. They escorted me immediately in front of the OOD at which time he took my camera, removed the film, returned the camera back and ordered me back to my ship. He didn't want to hear any argument from me. He claimed he was loading missiles on the port side and I could have classified information in the background of my photos. I believe I was the last person to see the Scorpion before its loss shortly after.

[Agent-cupv]

What happens to the nuclear reactor in the sub at the bottom of the ocean? Does the radiation leak kill all the fish life in an 10 mile radius of the wreckage???

[Crimson_Hawk_]

Amazing hack job on the level of information left out.
Like the 138 incomplete work orders. Cost cutting. Rushed refit.
Shame!!

[fredlef]

to add to the mystery I once worked in the SUBLANT top secret vault - about 1983 or 84. We had to replace part of the overhead drop down ceiling and when we did so we found that on top of one of our large rotating filing cabinets was the original Scorpion investigation. We inventoried it and packaged it up to send to the appropriate place, however one box, approximately 6 or 7 inches square was marked on all sides "This box not to be opened without the express permission of" some LCDR. I suggested to my LT who was the assistant flag sec that we should really open and inventory it. We did not but I've always wondered what it contained.

[sandybruce]

I remember when this happened - I was 21!!!!

[captaindouchebag]

Based on the acoustic SOSUS recordings that helped Craven and the US Navy find the USS Scorpion, we know that there were no external forces involved. No foreign vessels, torpedoes or depth charges were deployed. Whatever happened to the USS Scorpion happened internally. This makes the hot running torpedo a likely outcome, considering that according to the according to the SOSUS records it appears that the USS Scorpion did a 180 degree turn, something you would do if you had a hot running torpedo. If the SOSUS recordings which helped locate the wreck are to be believed then the USS Scorpion suffered a horrific accident, like the USS Thresher. If it wasn't the torpedo, then the next most likely other outcome is an accident caused by the trash disposal unit. Apparently usually operated by a junior sailor in most cases at that time, it could either cause a leak which could sink the sub or get salt water into the battery space directly below which could cause a hydrogen fuelled explosion. None of these outcomes would do well for a submarine's continued survival. Either Way, I hope these brave men rest in Peace.

[SlickRickTPB]

Clearly the Atlantians didn't want to be discovered.

[alvaroq]

To this day in 2024 the U.S. Navy still has a better safety record than any Navy in the world, Despite those two black marks!

[dougaldouglas]

The last reason seems the more plausible

[dsrai]

There are plenty of internal factors that could have caused a nuclear sub to sink.

[roberthines]

Wouldn't a battery well fire still allow for an emergency blow to the surface similar to the Bonefish incident? That leaves the torpedo theory more plausible.

[pauledwards]

Actually the scorpion had a death limitation beyond which it wasn't allowed to dive so it had a restriction.

[sandybruce]

I understand what you have written, I’m still not convinced! The Government has been proved to cover up so many things -

[pybqxbl]

How did a submarine go under water 😂 😂 😂