x
Breaking News
More () »

50 years later, questions remain about the USS Scorpion's sinking

The Scorpion vanished on May 22, 1968. The Navy's official inquiry could not reach a conclusion about what happened.

NORFOLK, Va. (WVEC) -- A Navy admiral called it "one of the greatest unsolved sea mysteries of our era."

Fifty-years ago, on Tuesday, the Norfolk-based submarine USS Scorpion disappeared taking all 99 crewmen with her.

The Scorpion vanished on May 22, 1968. The Navy's official inquiry could not reach a conclusion about what happened.

The report said: "The certain cause of the loss of the Scorpion cannot be ascertained from evidence now available."

However, a 1984 report said the likely cause of the disaster was the detonation of a torpedo while the Scorpion's own crew attempted to disarm it.

Former Ledger Star columnist Ed Offley wrote a book, "Scorpion Down" in 2007, and has done some more digging.

After interviewing two former Navy radiomen, Offley believes the Scorpion was sunk during an underwater skirmish with a Soviet sub.

"They heard what the guys were telling each other, that a Soviet submarine sunk the Scorpion," he said. "I can understand the Pentagon and the Navy didn't want to get in a shooting war with the Soviet Union in May 1968, But that to me does not excuse a 50-year cover-up."

See Also: The Final Secret of the USS Scorpion

Former Radioman Second Class Mike Hannon of Snellville, Georgia, was on-duty and saw much of the high-level top-secret cable traffic involving the Scorpion 50 years ago. He has no doubt the Scorpion was attacked.

"A Soviet submarine was detected leaving the area at a high rate of speed," he said.

When asked if that's what led him to conclude that the Russians did it, Hannon said yes.

"Yeah, absolutely, that's my conclusion," he said. "And I will believe that until the day I die."

13News Now contacted the Navy's Chief of Information office at the Pentagon to inquire if there was any new light to be shed upon the Scorpion case

In a statement, LT Lauren Chatmas said:

The crew members of USS Scorpion served our country with honor and courage, and we recognize their sacrifice and the sacrifice of their families. The disappearance of USS Scorpion is one of the greatest non-wartime tragedies in our Navy's history. We remain deeply saddened by the loss of the 99 Sailors, and we honor their sacrifice and the sacrifice of their families. We remember and pay tribute to their courage, their service to our country and their commitment to duty. While every deployment and exercise involves some level of risk, the Submarine Force's focus on building readiness through development and implementation of advanced technological capabilities, safety procedures and improved training has made our force less vulnerable and more lethal than ever before."

The Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral John Richardson, will be the keynote speaker at a private memorial service for the Scorpion this Saturday, at Naval Station Norfolk.

A statement from Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic said:

"A private 50th-anniversary commemoration will be held on 26 May at Naval Station Norfolk. Senior Navy leadership will be present, including CNO and his father, CAPT(retired) William Richardson, a former SCORPION Sailor, both of whom will speak at the event. Out of respect for our fallen USS Scorpion shipmates, and at the request of their families, the event is not open to the public nor will external media be invited. Our Submarine Force commands across the Navy will also reflect on this significant event in our history during private events at their local commands. Media are not invited to participate in local events."

Follow 13News Now on Facebook and Twitter

► Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13News Now App.

Before You Leave, Check This Out