The Day we almost lost the ANGLER (SS-240) - 1961

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Since 07-03-05

http://www.submarineresearch.com/bull35.html

SRC researched on the internet and library the following Angler tale as told by Fred Pietowski. It could not find any reference to this story and Fred requests that we forward to him any additional information that may be forthcoming from submarine veterans.

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In 1961 Angler was ported in New London. It was providing ASW services in Long Island Sound in water from 300 to 400 feet in depth. A destroyer was working its sonar detection gear and Angler was at about 100 feet. The destroyer broke off and Angler came to periscope depth while preparing to surface. It was a wispy day and when the skipper took a sweep around on the scope he saw the destroyer disappear into a fog bank. The sun momentarilly blotted out a super tanker riding in ballast close aboard with a zero angle on the bow.

He quickly rang the collision alarm and gave the order for a flank bell, but it was too late. The tanker hit the submerged boat just aft of the sail. Riding in ballast, the tanker pushed on over the top of Angler rolling the boat nearly over and carrying away the entire superstructure and most of the ballast tanks on one side. Water poured into the pressure hull via all the ruptured ducting aft of the after battery. The damage was so instant and severe that Angler settled to the bottom without a huge angle. Valves were shut and the men aft of control were able to stem the flooding.

The order was given to blow the forward group, but the boat was so far down (about 150 below test depth) that the ballast tanks remained flooded. The diving officer then switched the trim and drain pump to series and commenced pumping all bilges and every tank that could be pumped. After over twelve hours of pumping the boat lifted off the bottom and began a slow ascent. It surfaced and the forward group were put onto the ten pound blow. With bent screw and sagging stern Angler made her way toward port. She was met by a barge and the submarine was secured to it. It spent many months in port being repaired.

After surviving several war patrols during World War Two this was the most serious event the boat's life.