USS Thresher (SSN-593)
The second Thresher (SSN-593) was laid down on 28 May 1958 by the Portsmouth (NH) Naval Shipyard, launched on 9 July 1960, sponsored by Mrs. Frederick B. Warder, and commissioned on 3 August 1961, Commander Dean W. Axene in command. Following trials, the nuclear attack submarine took part in Nuclear Submarine Exercise (NUSUBEX) 3-61 off the northeastern coast of the United States from 18 to 24 September 1961.
In company with Skylark (ASR-20), Thresher put to sea on 10 April 1963 for deep-diving exercises. In addition to her 16 officers and 96 enlisted men, the submarine carried 17 civilian technicians. Fifteen minutes after reaching her assigned test depth, the submarine communicated with Skylark by underwater telephone, apprizing the submarine rescue ship of difficulties. Listeners in Skylark heard a noise “like air rushing into an air tank”─ then, silence.
Efforts to reestablish contact with Thresher failed, and a search group was formed in an attempt to locate the submarine. Rescue ship Recovery (ASR-43) subsequently recovered bits of debris, including gloves and bits of internal insulation. Photographs taken by Bathyscaph Trieste proved that the submarine had broken up, taking all hands on board to their deaths. Thresher was officially declared lost in April 1963.
Further Reading
USS Thresher – List of personnel lost
USS Thresher (SSN-593) – Selected Documents in the Navy Department Library
(including USS Thresher brochure, In Memoriam brochure, DoD News Releases, envelope with Thresher 10th anniversary postmark)
Records of the Chief of Information Relating to USS Scorpion and USS Thresher, 1960s-1993
USS Springfield Conducts Burial at Sea, Reuniting a Sailor with Lost Shipmates
Blog Posts
April 10, 1963: Search for the USS Thresher
USS Thresher (SSN-593) 3 August 1961 – 10 April 1963
Bathyscaphe Trieste Overcomes the Challenge of the Deep
**** Click on the images below for download and summary********
