Sept. 23, 2020

USS Thresher - What We Learned From Loss

The tragic loss of USS Thresher remains a pivotal moment in U.S. submarine operations, safety and culture.USS Thresher (SSN 593) got underway with 129 crew and shipyard personnel aboard for her post availability sea trials from Portsmouth Naval Shipyard on April 9th, 1963, accompanied by the Submarine Rescue Ship Skylark (ASR-20). The first day of

July 3, 2019

Remembering Capt. Pete Tzomes

A note from the editor: Capt. C.A. 'Pete' Tzomes - the first African American to command a nuclear-powered submarine - died at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, IA, June 13. He was 74. He was the first of the "Centennial Seven," who were the only seven African American men to command submarines during the first 100 years of the

March 28, 2017

Leaders of the Deep: Top WWII Submariners and their Submarines

World War II saw great advancement in U.S. submarine technology and tactics as well as impressive leadership. Unfortunately, battle success stories were often kept from the public due to the necessarily stealthy nature of the service. However, the Joint Army-Navy Assessment Committee (JANAC) and surviving WWII submariners have recognized a few top

Sept. 30, 2014

USS Nautilus Plankowner Shares Experience Working on Boat, with Rickover

Henry Nardone Sr. was a "fresh-caught" lieutenant junior grade when he became a project manager on USS Nautilus. Today, at 92 "and counting," Nardone attended the 60th anniversary of the commissioning of the first nuclear-powered submarine at the Submarine Forces Museum and Library in Groton, Ct. Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class

Nov. 24, 2013

Periscope photography by submarines was vital for Battle of Tarawa

This photo shows USS Nautilus (SS-168) off the Mare Island Navy Yard, Calif., April 15,1942, following modernization. Note her very heavy deck armament of two 6"/53 guns; also embrasure in her upper hull side, just in front of the forward gun, for newly-installed topside torpedo tubes. At least two torpedoes are on deck above this location,

April 1, 2013

USS Thresher (SSN-593) 3 August 1961 - 10 April 1963

On 10 April 1963, the U.S. Navy suffered the loss of the nuclear submarine Thresher, the nation's third peacetime submarine loss since World War II, and by far the United States' greatest single submarine disaster in terms of loss of life. The public, both in the United States and abroad, reacted with compassion for the families of these men who