The Hunt for K-129: A Deep Dive into Project Azorian

Introduction to the Sinking of K-129

In the late afternoon of winter 1968, the Soviet nuclear submarine K-129 met a tragic end. Commanded by a weary 38-year-old captain, the vessel carrying three nuclear missiles sank approximately 1,500 miles northwest of Hawaii in the North Pacific Ocean. The submarine's demise, marked by a sudden explosion and subsequent sinking, sparked a covert interest from the United States amidst the intensifying Cold War tensions.

Discovery and Initial Assessment by the U.S.

John Craven, the head of the Navy's Deep Submergence Systems Project, played a pivotal role in the unfolding events. In May 1968, at the United States Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C., Craven exclaimed, “K129 intact” (02:37) upon analyzing sonar data that suggested the submarine had not imploded under immense pressure but remained largely intact on the seafloor.

Realizing the potential value of the sunken vessel, Craven recognized that the Soviets had lost track of K-129's exact location. The U.S., equipped with precise sonar data, saw an opportunity to salvage the submarine, which housed sensitive state secrets and weapons of mass destruction.

Formulation of Project Azorian

The ambitious plan to retrieve K-129 culminated in Project Azorian, one of the most significant and costly covert operations in history. Curtis Crook, head of engineering at Global Marine, was approached by CIA operative John Parangoski (JP) to leverage his company's expertise in deep-sea operations. Initially skeptical, Crook delved into naval records, identifying K-129 as the likely target due to its size and specifications.

Together with Crook's team, a novel method dubbed the "Deadlift" was conceived. This technique involved constructing an immense 2,700-ton ship capable of lifting the submarine from three miles beneath the ocean's surface without detection.

Building the Hughes Glomar Explorer

The realization of Project Azorian necessitated the creation of a vessel unlike any before it—the Hughes Glomar Explorer. Spearheaded by John Graham, Global Marine's chief naval architect and a former alcoholic whose past made him a trustworthy yet discreet asset, the ship was designed to be a floating behemoth masquerading as a deep-sea mining platform.

Crook orchestrated the involvement of Howard Hughes, the reclusive billionaire, utilizing him as a front to maintain the project's clandestine nature. Hughes' eccentric reputation and existing ties to deep-sea mining provided a plausible cover story. By December 1970, the ship was launched, featuring a massive "moon pool" and a specialized claw mechanism intended to grasp and lift K-129.

Challenges and Secrecy Measures

Project Azorian was shrouded in secrecy, with every measure taken to prevent Soviet discovery or public knowledge. The construction faced technical hurdles, exemplified during trials when the Hughes Glomar Explorer buckled under rough seas, threatening the integrity of the mission (24:09). Additionally, the project had to navigate the pressures of governmental oversight and budget constraints, culminating in a staggering $800 million price tag.

The Retrieval Mission

On August 4, 1974, after nearly six years since K-129's sinking, the Hughes Glomar Explorer embarked on its historic mission. Equipped with the Deadlift mechanism, the ship successfully grappled a portion of the submarine. However, technical malfunctions led to only a third of K-129 being retrieved. Crucial components such as missile tubes and the code room remained on the ocean floor, representing a significant setback.

Interaction with the Press and Seymour Hersh

The mission's secrecy was nearly compromised when investigative journalist Seymour Hersh sought information about Project Azorian. CIA Director William Colby engaged with Hersh, acknowledging the mission's existence but offering to provide detailed insights post-completion in exchange for discretion. Hersh agreed, ensuring that the operation remained concealed from the public and the Soviet Union (28:07).

Outcome and Legacy

Though Project Azorian did not recover all intended targets, it symbolized American ingenuity and the lengths to which the U.S. would go to secure Cold War advantages. The mission's aftermath revealed that only six bodies were recovered from K-129, and significant portions of the submarine remained submerged. The operation also left a lasting impact on governmental secrecy practices, giving rise to the term "Glomar response," a method of non-disclosure used in various contexts.

John Graham's untimely death shortly before the mission's culmination added a poignant note to the endeavor. His contributions were honored by the scattering of his ashes from the Hughes Glomar Explorer, marking the end of an era in deep-sea espionage.

Conclusion

Project Azorian remains a testament to the complexities and high-stakes nature of Cold War espionage. While it achieved partial success, the mission underscored the immense costs—both financial and human—associated with such covert operations. The full extent of the recovered materials and the mission's long-term implications continue to be subjects of intrigue and speculation.

Notable Quotes:

• John Craven (06:38): “K129 intact.”
• Seymour Hersh (28:07): “I know that if the director of the CIA had come to me for an interview, it meant...”
• Curtis Crook (07:02): “If we pull this off, it’s not just a win for us, but for the entire nation.”

Further Reading:

For those interested in delving deeper into the story of K-129 and Project Azorian, notable recommendations include:

• Taking of K129: The Most Daring Covert Operation in History by Josh Dean
• The CIA's Greatest Covert Operation: Inside the Daring Mission to Recover a Nuclear-Armed Soviet Sub by David H. Sharp

Credits:

This episode was written by Sean Raviv, with sound design by Andre Pleuze. Produced by Christopher B. Dunn, Sarah Wytak, Teja Palakonda, and Rafa Faria, with fact-checking by Sheila Patterson. Executive producers include Mr. Ballin and Nick Witters, alongside contributions from the Wondery and Ballen Studios teams.

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