About this Unit
USS Scorpion (SSN-589) was a Skipjack-class nuclear-powered submarine commissioned by the United States Navy in 1960. Assigned to the Atlantic Fleet, Scorpion conducted numerous Cold War patrols and training exercises, focusing on anti-submarine warfare and intelligence missions. On May 22, 1968, Scorpion tragically sank in the Atlantic Ocean southwest of the Azores, with the loss of all 99 crew members. The exact cause of the sinking remains uncertain, making it one of the most mysterious submarine disasters in U.S. naval history.
Historical Facts
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Commissioning and Class: USS Scorpion (SSN-589) was a Skipjack-class nuclear-powered submarine, commissioned on July 29, 1960.
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Lost at Sea: Scorpion was lost with all 99 crew members on May 22, 1968, making it one of only two nuclear submarines the U.S. Navy has ever lost (the other being USS Thresher).
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Mysterious Sinking: The cause of Scorpion’s sinking remains controversial. Theories range from a torpedo explosion, mechanical failure, to possible hostile action, but no definitive cause has been confirmed.
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Open Ocean Wreck: The wreck of the Scorpion was found in October 1968, at a depth of over 9,800 feet (3,000 meters) in the Atlantic Ocean, about 400 miles southwest of the Azores.
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Cold War Tensions: The submarine was lost during the height of the Cold War, leading to speculation about Soviet involvement, though no evidence has supported this theory.
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Code Name "Operation Sand Dollar": The U.S. Navy's search for the Scorpion was codenamed "Operation Sand Dollar," involving deep-sea submersibles and extensive sonar sweeps.
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Enigmatic Transmission: Prior to its loss, Scorpion sent a mysterious radio message indicating it was trailing a Soviet submarine near the Azores, fueling further speculation about its fate.
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Legacy and Memorial: The crew of the Scorpion is memorialized at the Norfolk Naval Base and at other naval memorials, including the U.S. Submarine Veterans Memorial.
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Environmental Concerns: The wreck contains two nuclear torpedoes and a nuclear reactor, raising concerns about radioactive contamination, though studies have found minimal leakage so far.
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Featured in Popular Culture: The story of the USS Scorpion has been depicted in books, documentaries, and TV shows, such as "Blind Man's Bluff" and the NOVA episode "Submarine!".
