Operations with the USS Skate SSN-578
As told by Len (Barazzotto) Barrett RD3/C,1962-64
The story about the Skate occurred in 1963. We were assigned to a Hunter-Killer group (HUK was designed to test and evaluate ASW techniques, using the "new" SQS 23 sonar, ASROC, and DASH.) We travelled all over the North Atlantic, from the Caribbean to Nova Scotia to test different water and weather conditions.
During one period, we were working with USS Skate, a submarine who served as target ship and we were to fire an ASROC at her. When we had completed our tracking, we launched an ASROC at her. I was working in CIC, plotting on the NCS plotter with the door to sonar open. We could hear the torpedo running on both the sonar and on Gertrude, which is an underwater telephone device which can both transmit and receive voice messages through the water (its range is very limited.) On three occasions, we could hear the torpedo hit the sub - with a very audible thump. The torpedo would stop for a few seconds, reacquire the target, and start running again and thump. After the third thump, Skate called us on the Gertrude, telling us that we missed them, and they were clearing the area to surface and would assist us in the torpedo recovery. When the sub surfaced, within a half mile of us, it was evident that the torpedo had hit the sub. The torpedo was painted a bright International Orange color and was stuck in a vent in the side of the Skates sail area.
Our Captain, Nicholas Michalevsky sent a flashing light message over to Skate saying "Thank you for the torpedo recovery" to which Skate replyed "What do you mean". We sent back, "Look Down". The skipper of the sub had not looked down to see the side of the sail area with the torpedo sticking out looking like a big popsicle on a stick. We took pictures of the event and I have seen that picture in some Navy publications as well as at Key West, Florida. During that year, 1963, JPK, Jr. travelled over 25,000 miles. It was pointed out to the crew that we had more than circumnavigated the globe at the equator.
Len (Barazzotto) Barrett RD3/C,1962-64
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