The Disappearance of the USS Scorpion

Summary

History Daily – "The Disappearance of the USS Scorpion"

Date: May 22, 2026
Host: Lindsay Graham

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Main Theme and Purpose

This episode examines the mysterious disappearance and subsequent investigation into the USS Scorpion, a U.S. Navy nuclear submarine lost in 1968 with 99 crewmen aboard. Lindsay Graham narrates the submarine’s final days, the immediate aftermath, and the decades-long search for answers about what caused the tragedy, exploring technical, political, and personal dimensions of the event.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Final Voyage and Catastrophe

• Setting the Scene (00:38 – 02:50)

  • May 22, 1968: Captain Francis Slattery is bringing the USS Scorpion home, traversing the Atlantic, when a sudden explosion rocks the vessel.
  • Standard safety procedures are described as the submarine comes to periscope depth. An unexpected blast leads to catastrophic failure and the sub sinks, imploding under the immense pressure.
  • All 99 crewmen are lost, and uncertainty surrounds what happened in the moments leading to the disaster.

  Memorable Quote:

  • “The submarine shudders as an enormous explosion shakes the boat. ... Captain Slattery doesn’t even get the chance to look around, to react to the suddenly blaring alarms before a fireball engulfs the control center.” (01:44, Lindsay Graham)

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2. The State of the Submarine and Mission Details

• Earlier Challenges (05:48 – 08:00)

  • April 12, 1968: The Scorpion, participating in NATO exercises, is revealed to be one of four Atlantic fleet submarines not yet retrofitted with updated safety measures, earning the unfortunate nickname "USS Scrap Iron."
  • The crew deals with ongoing mechanical failures, repairing or jury-rigging equipment throughout the voyage.
  • After NATO war games, the Scorpion is diverted for a spy mission near the Canary Islands, tasked with investigating suspicious Soviet activity before finally heading home.

  Notable Quote:

  • “...the eight-year-old submarine is one of only four in the Navy that hasn't yet had an overhaul. And on this deployment, she's been plagued by mechanical issues. The crew has nicknamed her the USS Scrap Iron.” (06:45, Lindsay Graham)

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3. The Families and Immediate Aftermath

• Homecoming Turns to Alarm (08:46 – 11:05)

  • May 27, 1968: Families, including Barbara Foley, await the return of the Scorpion in Norfolk, Virginia. The submarine doesn’t surface as scheduled.
  • Navy reassures families it’s a routine delay, but concern grows. Within days, it’s confirmed the Scorpion has been missing—the largest search and rescue mission of its kind begins but ultimately declares the submarine lost at sea on June 5.

  Memorable Quote:

  • “...she has a bad feeling in her gut. She’s sure that Navy officials haven’t told her the whole truth. And she’s right. Soon, it’s confirmed that the Scorpion hasn’t been heard from in more than five days. The submarine isn’t delayed. It’s missing.” (10:20, Lindsay Graham)

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4. The Search and Early Investigation

• Science and Suspicion (13:16 – 17:43)

  • Navy scientist Dr. John P. Craven is brought in to analyze the mystery using statistical methods, as he had previously helped locate a missing hydrogen bomb.
  • Analysis of underwater acoustic data reveals a probable sequence: an internal explosion followed by the implosion as the wreck falls to the ocean floor.
  • Craven theorizes a faulty torpedo as the cause, suggesting the sub might have attempted a dangerous maneuver to avoid detonation, but Navy officials remain skeptical and suspect he is relying too heavily on theory rather than practical experience.
  • After months of searching, the Mizar survey ship locates the wreck in October 1968.

  Notable Quote:

  • “John becomes convinced that a faulty torpedo was behind the loss of the Scorpion. But when he presents his theory to superiors in the Navy, they don’t believe him. ... For his part, though, John suspects the Navy may be covering something up.” (15:35, Lindsay Graham)

  • “On October 29, 1968, John Craven gets a top secret message from the search ship Mizar. In it, Buck Buchanan says he’s finally shaved off his beard. John knows immediately what that means. They’ve found the Scorpion.” (16:55, Lindsay Graham)

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5. Renewed Inquiry and Competing Theories

• Evidence and Conspiracy (19:38 – 21:15)

  • In 1986, famed oceanographer Bob Ballard explores the wreck with a submersible. The torpedo room is found intact, refuting the faulty torpedo theory.
  • New hypotheses surface, including mechanical failure (trash compactor accident, explosive battery gas), and the most controversial: Soviet sabotage in retaliation for their own sunken K-129 submarine.
  • The episode notes that no definitive explanation is universally accepted and the event remains shrouded in mystery.

  Memorable Quote:

  • “The Scorpion’s torpedo room is found intact and undamaged. It’s clear that a warhead did not explode on board and cause the accident. So it must have been something else.” (20:02, Lindsay Graham)
  • “But the most controversial explanation is that the American submarine was deliberately targeted and destroyed by the Soviet Union. ... But many skeptics suggest that this is little more than a conspiracy theory and insist that there is no compelling evidence for such dramatic events.” (20:32, Lindsay Graham)

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6. Legacy and Unanswered Questions

• Conclusion and Reflection (21:15 – 22:42)

  • Though the US Navy has not lost another submarine since, for the families of the 99 sailors, closure is elusive.
  • The loss ultimately contributes to increased submarine safety standards, but the answers to what truly befell the Scorpion may never be fully known.

  Notable Quote:

  • “The truth about the last moments of the Scorpion may never be known for certain. But lessons have been learned from the tragedy as the US Navy has not lost another submarine since. But that has been little comfort to the families of the sailors of the USS Scorpion, the 99 men who lost their lives serving their country when their nuclear powered submarine mysteriously sank on May 22, 1968.” (21:42, Lindsay Graham)

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Important Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:38] – The dramatic recreation of the submarine’s final moments
• [05:48] – The state of the Scorpion prior to disappearance and its clandestine mission
• [08:46] – The families’ anticipation and eventual realization of the tragedy
• [13:16] – Dr. John Craven’s mathematical investigation
• [16:55] – Discovery of the Scorpion wreck
• [19:38] – Ballard’s 1986 exploration and reevaluation of initial theories
• [21:15] – Reflection on the legacy and unresolved nature of the USS Scorpion case

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Notable Quotes

• “The submarine shudders as an enormous explosion shakes the boat. ... Captain Slattery doesn’t even get the chance to look around, to react to the suddenly blaring alarms before a fireball engulfs the control center.”
  — Lindsay Graham [01:44]

• “...the eight-year-old submarine is one of only four in the Navy that hasn’t yet had an overhaul. And on this deployment, she’s been plagued by mechanical issues. The crew has nicknamed her the USS Scrap Iron.”
  — Lindsay Graham [06:45]

• “But the most controversial explanation is that the American submarine was deliberately targeted and destroyed by the Soviet Union.”
  — Lindsay Graham [20:32]

• “The truth about the last moments of the Scorpion may never be known for certain. But lessons have been learned from the tragedy as the US Navy has not lost another submarine since.”
  — Lindsay Graham [21:42]

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Summary

History Daily’s episode on the USS Scorpion delivers a rich, suspenseful, and empathetic exploration of one of the Cold War’s greatest naval mysteries. The narrative blends technical analysis, family perspectives, Cold War intrigue, and the persistent uncertainty left in the disaster’s wake. Listeners are left reflecting on human ingenuity, institutional secrecy, and the unknown forces lurking under the ocean’s surface.

Transcript

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[Lindsey Graham]

It's May 22, 1968. Deep in the Atlantic Ocean, 400 miles southwest of the Azores. Francis Slattery, captain of the USS Scorpion, a nuclear powered submarine, looks across the busy control center. Captain Slattery is 36 years old and a rising star in the United States Navy. He's trained for years to lead submarines like this into battle. But he's not taking the Scorpion to war today. He's taking his ship home. The Scorpion glides through the waters a few hundred feet below the surface, heading west toward America. At a speed of 18 knots. The submarine hums with quiet and efficient activity. That pleases Slattery. He's been captain of the submarine for less than a year, but knows every inch of his command. He can picture the ship's cooks busy in the galley, the engineers who are hard at work in the engine room. And he knows that three decks below the control center, a routine battery charge is underway. Captain Slatty. Captain Slattery decides it's time to come up to periscope depth. He gives the order, the submarine pitches upwards and the words Set Condition Baker throughout the ship echo along the Scorpion's compartments. In response to Captain Slattery's order, the crewmen seal the Scorpion's watertight doors. This is standard procedure. Periscope depth is potentially hazardous for a submarine as it's not always possible to detect obstacles near the surface. So Condition Baker is the order given to prepare the ship for any eventuality. But neither Captain Slattery nor anyone else on board is prepared for what happens next. The Scorpion shudders as an enormous explosion shakes the boat. In the confined space of the submarine's reinforced hull, the blast is concentrated into a deadly shockwave. Captain Slattery doesn't even get the chance to look around, to react to the suddenly blaring alarms before a fireball engulfs the control center. And with a lurch, the USS Scorpion begins to sink. The crippled USS Scorpion tumbles slowly into the depths of the ocean. The pressure on the hull increases until finally the submarine implodes. Any of the 99 sailors on board who survived the initial explosion are killed instantly. The loss of the Scorpion will be a heartbreaking tragedy for the crewmen's families, but the sinking will also become an enduring mystery. How and why the scorpion was lost will puzzle investigators and the public long after the submarine vanished in the middle of the ATL Atlantic Ocean on May 22, 1968. Hopefully by now you've heard me mention the European Christmas Market Tour I'm putting together for this December. An incredible 10 day journey throughout France, Germany and Austria packed with tradition, Christmas cheer and history of course. Well, I have an update. The trip is confirmed. We've booked enough places to definitely go ahead. Which means if you've been thinking of joining me, you need to act fast. Only 20 places are available total, and over half of those are already taken. Tickets are on sale now. Go to historydaily.com and look for the Christmas market section. That's historydaily.com you didn't start a business

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[Lindsey Graham]

From noiser and airship, I'm lindsey graham and this is history. Daily. History is made every day on this podcast. Every day, we tell the true stories of the people and events that shaped our world. Today is May 22, 1968. The disappearance of the USS Scorpion. It's April 12, 1968, off the coast of Crete in the Mediterranean Sea. Six weeks before the disappearance of the USS Scorpion. The nuclear powered submarine lurks in the the darkness hundreds of feet underwater. On board, the Scorpion's captain Francis Slattery feels a bead of sweat trickle down his neck. He and the crew are bathed in the red glow of the submarine's combat lighting. There's almost complete silence. Sound travels far underwater and no one wants the ship to be detected because the Scorpion is being hunted by another submarine. Thankfully for all, it's not an enemy out there, but an ally. These are NATO war games and the Scorpion is playing the part of a Soviet sub. A few moments later, the other NATO submarine passed them by without noticing. And Captain Slattery's relief is mixed with a sense of disappointment. He's proud of his men, but he was expecting more from the captain of the other sub. If it ever comes to a real fight, he'll have to do better than this. During the Cold War, submarines have become the spies of the sea. The latest are powered by nuclear reactors, allowing them to run so quietly and stay underwater for so long that they're virtually undetectable. One of these newer submarines is the USS Scorpion. But even though she has a modern power source, the ship is in a state of disrepair. In recent years, most of the United States Atlantic submarine fleet has been retrofitted with new safety features. But not the Scorpion. The eight year old submarine is one of only four in the Navy that hasn't yet had an overhaul. And on this deployment, she's been plagued by mechanical issues. The crew has nicknamed her the USS Scrap Iron. And one sailor has complained to his parents in a letter that they have repaired, replaced or jury rigged every piece of equipment on board. So it's understandable that Captain Slattery and his men are looking forward to returning to America when the war games are over. The Scorpion is ready to go home. But that's when Captain Slattery receives one last mission from the top brass at Navy Intelligence. US spy satellites have spotted Soviet ships testing suspicious weather balloons near the Canary Islands off the coast of West Africa. Since the Scorpion is going to be passing by anyway. Slattery and his crew are ordered to investigate. So in mid May 1968, the USS Scorpion leaves the Mediterranean behind. Slattery sets course for the Canary Islands and the Russian surface ships. With their weather balloons, the American subs slink silently under the targets, taking photographs and scientific readings. Then, with their mission complete, the Scorpion and her crew are finally allowed to head for home. It's May 27, 1968 at the U.S. naval Base in Norfolk, Virginia. Almost two weeks after the USS Scorpion left the Mediterranean. 22 year old Barbara Folley huddles beneath an umbrella as rain pours down on the dockside. Despite the harsh weather, Barbara's wearing her favorite dress. She wants to look her best today because this afternoon her sailor husband Vernon is arriving home. After a three month long deployment on the USS Scorpion. Barbara has dropped off their one year old daughter with a babysitter and braved the storm to wait at the dock alongside the families of other Scorpion sailors. Her husband's submarine is due back at Pier 22 at 1pm but that hour passes with no sign of the Scorpion. Barbara and other wives, parents and children linger anxiously at the base all afternoon. But Vernon and the rest of the Scorpion crew never arrive. The family presses Navy officials for answers, but they are assured that there's just been a routine delay. The Scorpion will arrive tomorrow. Perhaps gradually, the families drift away back to their empty seeming homes. But as Barbara drives to pick up her daughter, she has a bad feeling in her gut. She's sure that Navy officials haven't told her the whole truth. And she's right. Soon it's confirmed that the Scorpion hasn't been heard from in more than five days. The submarine isn't delayed. It's missing. A huge search and rescue operation is launched by the United States. But no one has any idea what has happened to the Scorpion or even where the submarine could be. They'll have to scour the Atlantic Ocean from Virginia to Spain as they do. And days pass, hopes of finding the submarine intact on the surface somewhere fade. And finally, on June 5, 1968, the rescue operation is called off and the Navy announces that the Scorpion is officially lost at sea. But the hunt for the missing submarine won't end there. The Navy will continue to scour the ocean for the lost Scorpion in hopes of tracking down the wreck and finding out what went wrong.

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It's early June 1968 at the Pentagon in Washington D.C. a few days after the search began for the USS Scorpion. Dr. John P. Craven hunches over a cluttered table filled with ocean charts, cups of coffee and papers covered in calculations. John is a 45 year old Navy scientist who specializes in deep water searches. But he doesn't use ships or sonar to find things. He uses math. Two years ago, John was asked to find a missing hydrogen bomb that was onboard a US Air Force plane when it crashed in the Mediterranean. John helped locate that bomb using statistics and probability. So when the USS Scorpion went missing, it wasn't long before Navy chiefs turned to John again to crunch the numbers and help them find their lost submarine. What John needed, though, first was raw data, and for that, he turned to America's military and scientific listening posts. John thought that their underwater microphones might have picked up the sound of the Scorpion's demise. His hopes proved correct. On May 22, three hydrophones in different parts of the Atlantic each recorded a small, small blip of noise followed by a series of much louder rumblings. John quickly concluded that the first blip was an explosion on board the Scorpion, and the later rumblings were the sound of the submarine imploding. Now, using all three data sets, John is roughly triangulating where those sounds came from. That should roughly give him the last position of the Scorpion. Through complicated math, he's able to narrow down the search area to a remote part of the ocean southwest of the Azores. The Navy dubs this area Point Oscar and sends out a survey ship to photograph the ocean floor looking for the wreckage of the Scorpion. This ship, the Mizar, is led by another Navy scientist, Chester Buck Buchanan. Buck starts growing a beard on day one and tells his shipmates he won't shave until he finds the missing submarine. But as Buck searches the ocean floor, back on dry land, John Craven continues to analyze the acoustic data and thinks he spotted something. According to his calculations, it seems like the Scorpion was actually headed east at the time of the disaster, back in the direction of Europe. John asks several experienced Navy captains why a submarine might make such a strange U turn, and each captain gives him the same torpedo trouble. The torpedoes on the Scorpion contained a fail safe designed to stop them targeting their own ship. A turn of 180 degrees would cause the warhead not to detonate. So if a torpedo were to accidentally activate while still on board a submarine, turning the entire ship around rapidly could, in theory, prevent a catastrophic explosion. John becomes convinced that a faulty torpedo was behind the loss of the Scorpion. But when he presents his theory to superiors in the Navy, they don't believe him. The acoustic data is open to interpretation, and weapons experts claim it's impossible for a torpedo to explode inside a sub the way John suggests. They think John is putting too much faith in math and doesn't have the seagoing experience they do. For his part, though, John suspects the Navy may be covering something up. After all, if a torpedo could explode on the Scorpion, then a torpedo could explode on any Navy submarine. And that not only means hundreds of American submariners may be in danger, it also means that the entire US fleet may need emergency retrofitting, leaving the country open to attack. While John tussles with his superiors in the Atlantic, the search for the scorpion goes on for weeks and then months. Buck's beard grows longer and longer, but the Navy's patience grows shorter and shorter, and eventually they reach the point where it wants to call off the expensive search. Buck and John are forced to beg for more time, and the team is given one last chance. It's a chance that buck takes. On October 29, 1968, John Craven gets a top secret message from the search ship Mizar. In it, Buck Buchanan says he's finally shaved off his beard. John knows immediately what that means. They've found the Scorpion. The missing sub lies in pieces on the seabed some two miles down. John and his team have been proved right about the location of the scorpion, but when the sub's wreckage is inspected more closely, new evidence will emerge that undermines John's theory about the faulty torpedo. And these fresh clues will bring investigators closer to uncovering how the scorpion and its crew ended up on the bottom of the ocean.

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[Lindsey Graham]

It's the summer of 1986, deep beneath the Atlantic Ocean. Eighteen years after the sinking of the USS Scorpion. Oceanographer Bob Ballard pilots the state of the art submersible Alvin through the inky darkness. No sunlight reaches these depths. The only illumination in this strange deep sea world comes from Alvin's high wattage headlights. Bob and his team have traveled to the bottom of the ocean on a mission for the American military to document the wreck of the USS Scorpion. As the submersible approaches the Scorpion, its propellers churn up a flurry of sediment from the seabed, showering the wreckage in an eerie snow. Bob maneuvers over the wreck and takes countless photographs of the shattered submarine below. Many will remain confidential military secrets for decades. But one crucial detail is made public. The Scorpion's torpedo room is found intact and undamaged. It's clear that a warhead did not explode on board and cause the accident. So it must have been something else. In the years that follow Bob Ballard's expedition, several new theories emerge about the demise of the Scorpion. Some point to a malfunctioning trash compactor. Others to explosive hydrogen gas released by the submarine's batteries. But the most controversial explanation is that the American submarine was deliberately targeted and destroyed by the Soviet Union. To those who backed the theory, the motive for such an attack was revenge. Just two months before the loss of the Scorpion, The Russian submarine K129 also sank under mysterious circumstances in the Pacific Ocean. If the Russians believe the US Sank their submarine, they could have sunk an American ship in response. But many skeptics suggest that this is little more than a conspiracy theory and insist that there is no compelling evidence for such dramatic events. The truth about the last moments of the Scorpion may never be known for certain. But lessons have been learned from the tragedy as the US Navy has not lost another submarine since. But that has been little comfort to the families of the sailors of the USS Scorpion, the 99 men who lost their lives serving their country when their nuclear powered submarine mysteriously sank on May 22, 1968. Next on History Daily, May 25, 1521. Holy Roman Emperor Charles V passes the Edict of Worms condemning theologian Martin Luther and sparking Europe's Protestant Reformation. From Nouser and Airship, this is History Daily hosted, edited and executive produced by me, Lindsey Graham Audio editing by Mohammed Shazi Sound design by Gabriel Gould Music by Thrum this episode is written and researched by Jack o'. Brien Edited by Dorian Marina Managing producer Emily Burke Executive producers are William Simpson for Airship and Pascal Hughes for Noiser. And Doug.

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