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Sub Sailor · 08-05-06, 11:03 AM

I meant hull fitting and I am not blaming anyone or accusing anyone. It was a very sad accident and comes with the job. The hull fitting failing is common knowledge, and happens this happed at or near test depth.
Now for facts, I was involved in some of the testing after Thresher, to see what things we could change in our power plant operations to aid in this not ever happening again. It turns out we had overkill on the safe side and was far to restrictive, that was changed, and no I will not and cannot discuss it. Also from the Thresher sinking came sub safe, another area that had not kept up with the new capabilities of our subs. I have no idea what other Navies have in this area.
In regards to the Scorpion-everything from underwater sea mount, some one torpedoed her, lost depth control, to a battery explosion were out there on the rumor mill. The United States Navy made changes to how we handled the battery, I never saw the films of Scorpion and know we changed our operation of the ships battery, so apparently that what the experts determined caused the loss of the ship. In the case of Thresher I was allowed as others on the testing program to hear the tapes made by the vessel that accompanied Threser to sea, normal coming out of the shipyard.
Orm I was on Nuclear Subs from the early day (1962), and I have a lot of knowledge about US Subs. I know first hand our requirements and I know the training our people get, I did not any way question any other country's program.
I believe strongly in our programs, I trusted every crew I ever sailed with, and I will say now and always I never served with a CO who was not tops. I stated Rickover was difficult, he was driven, and his efforts and determination let the US send the first Nuclear Ship to sea. I truly do not believe anyone else could have done what he accomplished. But, he was about to be riffed when he took this program over and became the darling of the Congress of the United States. I also said I did not care for him, and was glad I was not accepted for NR-1, because that was his baby, but I did admire and respect the man.
Meeting Rickover's standard made me a better and smarter person than I thought I could ever be. It changed my life greatly and allowed me to become successful because of the work ethic drilled into me, and I am not alone there are 1000s of us around today.
I told you my qualifications to speak up, do you want to share yours?

Ronald E. Banks MMCM(SS), USN(Ret)

08-05-06, 11:03 AM	#25
Sub Sailor Commander Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: Orofino, Idaho Posts: 443 Downloads: 66 Uploads: 0	I meant to type hull fitting. I meant hull fitting and I am not blaming anyone or accusing anyone. It was a very sad accident and comes with the job. The hull fitting failing is common knowledge, and happens this happed at or near test depth. Now for facts, I was involved in some of the testing after Thresher, to see what things we could change in our power plant operations to aid in this not ever happening again. It turns out we had overkill on the safe side and was far to restrictive, that was changed, and no I will not and cannot discuss it. Also from the Thresher sinking came sub safe, another area that had not kept up with the new capabilities of our subs. I have no idea what other Navies have in this area. In regards to the Scorpion-everything from underwater sea mount, some one torpedoed her, lost depth control, to a battery explosion were out there on the rumor mill. The United States Navy made changes to how we handled the battery, I never saw the films of Scorpion and know we changed our operation of the ships battery, so apparently that what the experts determined caused the loss of the ship. In the case of Thresher I was allowed as others on the testing program to hear the tapes made by the vessel that accompanied Threser to sea, normal coming out of the shipyard. Orm I was on Nuclear Subs from the early day (1962), and I have a lot of knowledge about US Subs. I know first hand our requirements and I know the training our people get, I did not any way question any other country's program. I believe strongly in our programs, I trusted every crew I ever sailed with, and I will say now and always I never served with a CO who was not tops. I stated Rickover was difficult, he was driven, and his efforts and determination let the US send the first Nuclear Ship to sea. I truly do not believe anyone else could have done what he accomplished. But, he was about to be riffed when he took this program over and became the darling of the Congress of the United States. I also said I did not care for him, and was glad I was not accepted for NR-1, because that was his baby, but I did admire and respect the man. Meeting Rickover's standard made me a better and smarter person than I thought I could ever be. It changed my life greatly and allowed me to become successful because of the work ethic drilled into me, and I am not alone there are 1000s of us around today. I told you my qualifications to speak up, do you want to share yours? Ronald E. Banks MMCM(SS), USN(Ret)