USS Narwhal (SSN-671) Submerged in Cooper River at Charleston 1989
Thomas Courtien
Posted 2017-08-30 3:33 AM (#84892)
Master and Commander

Posts: 1886

Location: Patterson, New York
Subject: USS Narwhal (SSN-671) Submerged in Cooper River at Charleston 1989

Never read this before; I found this story interesting:

http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/13939/a-u-s-navy-nuclear-submarine-once-submerged-in-a-river-to-ride-out-a-hurricane
Ralph Luther
Posted 2017-08-30 5:31 AM (#84897 - in reply to #84892)
COMSUBBBS

Posts: 6180

Location: Summerville, SC
Subject: RE: USS Narwhal (SSN-671) Submerged in Cooper River at Charleston 1989

We did it a couple of times at Pier November in Charleston while on DB's back in the '60's.
Tom McNulty
Posted 2017-08-30 6:19 AM (#84898 - in reply to #84897)


Master and Commander

Posts: 1454

Subject: RE: USS Narwhal (SSN-671) Submerged in Cooper River at Charleston 1989

When the 600 was moored at the Weapons Pier at low tide the boat took on a list. Clearly on the bottom.
GaryKC
Posted 2017-08-30 7:20 AM (#84899 - in reply to #84892)


COMSUBBBS

Posts: 3660

Location: Kansas City Missouri
Subject: RE: USS Narwhal (SSN-671) Submerged in Cooper River at Charleston 1989

While aboard USS Odax in February 1972, we again provided publicity services by submerging in the Mississippi River in downtown New Orleans during Mardi Gras.


Edited by GaryKC 2017-08-30 7:21 AM
Ric
Posted 2017-08-30 8:21 AM (#84900 - in reply to #84892)


Plankowner

Posts: 9153

Location: Upper lefthand corner of the map.
Subject: RE: USS Narwhal (SSN-671) Submerged in Cooper River at Charleston 1989

Narwhal is still sitting at Bremerton and still designated as available for a museum. Last I knew she was still destined for the Keyport Museum.
carlb
Posted 2017-08-30 6:17 PM (#84907 - in reply to #84892)
Senior Crew

Posts: 182

Subject: RE: USS Narwhal (SSN-671) Submerged in Cooper River at Charleston 1989

Some time in the late 1940's a sub came into Portland. I remember seeing it in the center of the Willamette River in downtown Portland, submerging. If my memory is correct, the deck was covered with flowers which floated away. That memory was a major reason for going into subs some years later. Any one have an idea where I could find more details of this event?
carl b.
rover177
Posted 2017-08-31 10:36 PM (#84919 - in reply to #84892)
Master and Commander

Posts: 1576

Location: Wollongong, NSW
Subject: RE: USS Narwhal (SSN-671) Submerged in Cooper River at Charleston 1989

Heavy weather bottoming would work. If deep water is not possible, bottoming in a protected river, particularly if round a couple of bends from direct wave action, would see the submarine ride through it quite easily.

Some years back, Wewak and Balikpapan (mine), LCHs had just unloaded supplies in Darwin and were taking out stuff post cyclone Tracy cleanup. A cyclone was predicted and we couldn't get clear to clear, safe water in time to avoid the anticipated track. All ballast and water tanks were filled to the brim, tank deck was partly awash and we bottomed at high water on the old WWII Catalina hard. Berthing wires were fastened to strong points in the surrounding mangroves. Cyclone path changed, nothing to worry about; pumped the water out and came off at a subsequent high water. The several hundred tons of water would have kept us basically 'in position.' Even if we had risen on the hard, pumping out the water would have permitted us to float off in safety.
Ric
Posted 2017-08-31 11:20 PM (#84921 - in reply to #84892)


Plankowner

Posts: 9153

Location: Upper lefthand corner of the map.
Subject: RE: USS Narwhal (SSN-671) Submerged in Cooper River at Charleston 1989

The good thing with this was the reactor was not active and no main sea water cooling was used. Just battery for power.
In 1967 the USS Guardfish SSN 612 missed the entrance buoy at Pearl Harbor and ran up on the reef and became stuck at a bad angle. reactor and main sea water were engaged and she sucked a ton of coral sand into her main condensers. She ended up in the yard for months getting cleaned out.
Thomas Courtien
Posted 2017-09-01 2:24 AM (#84922 - in reply to #84892)
Master and Commander

Posts: 1886

Location: Patterson, New York
Subject: RE: USS Narwhal (SSN-671) Submerged in Cooper River at Charleston 1989

Ric,

This was one of many qualification questions asked; "Why can't this boat sit on the bottom like a boat in a WWII movie?" When you answered because of the MSW intakes, then you were asked to draw the system and prove it.
Ric
Posted 2017-09-01 7:29 AM (#84923 - in reply to #84922)


Plankowner

Posts: 9153

Location: Upper lefthand corner of the map.
Subject: RE: USS Narwhal (SSN-671) Submerged in Cooper River at Charleston 1989

WE saw it happen. We follows Guardfish about 30 minutes later and passed her sitting on the reef. It was explained to us what was happening and how it was not good.