The USS Scorpion's Cold War Mystery That Still Is Unsolved
By KATHRYN OLVERA
Cold War Sub
Cold War-era submarines were constantly working due to the high tensions of the time. The USS Scorpion was no different, seemingly on an endless state of patrol.
Given the need for submarines to be ready to combat the Soviets at a moment’s notice, the Scorpion’s readiness was put above proper maintenance even after years of constant patrol.
Being in near-constant drills and patrol left the Scorpion in a state of disrepair, earning it the nickname “USS Scrap Iron.” Its needed repairs were continuously pushed back.
During a mission to observe Russian military activity at the Azores, the Scorpion lost communication with the U.S. Navy on May 20, 1968, and was never heard from again.
After it failed to arrive in Norfolk as scheduled, a search for the submarine ensued, and on June 5, 1968, the USS Scorpion and its 99 crew members were officially declared lost.
Despite being declared lost, the search for the Scorpion continued. When an unsuccessful summer of tireless searching passed, autumn brought a break in the case.
Even with each theory and expert speculation, a final cause for the sinking of the USS Scorpion was never decided on, or at least never released to the public.