今天是55thanniversary of the sinking of the US Navy submarine USSThresher(SSN-593).
班级的第一个，Thresherwas supposed to be an innovative leap forward in submarine design and technology but several test runs uncovered technical problems andThresherreturned to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine for repairs. By April 9, 1963 the repairs had been completed so the vessel departed for sea trials with 112 crew members and 17 shipyard employees who rode along to monitor the repairs in case additional work was needed.
The next dayThresherwas 200 miles off the coast of Boston when she dove to test depth and reported to USS云雀, the submarine rescue ship that was on the surface assisting her, that there was difficulty on board and the crew were attempting an emergency blow (this means the crew tried to blow all water from their tanks to lighten the boat which would force it to surface quickly). Tragically, the maneuver was unsuccessful andThreshersank below crush depth and all hands were lost.
几年前，我们获得了一个枕套Thresher’s名字在一个角落。枕套是由驻扎在新伦敦潜艇基地的水手伯爵威尔士（Sailor Earl Welsh）于1963年收购的。有一天，在码头上观看一位年轻人从黑帮中Thresherto throw away a bag of trash. They struck up a conversation and the young man, named Tommy, mentioned that he was afraid of going out on the ship’s upcoming cruise because the vessel had been experiencing problems. Mr. Welsh actually asked the young man why he didn’t just leave the ship if he was that scared (aka-go AWOL). Later, the young man brought Mr. Welsh a pillowcase from the vessel.
After reviewing photographs and biographies of the crew Mr. Welsh believes the crew member he spoke to might be Electronic Technician Third Class Thomas Edward Clements. Mr. Welsh remembers the young man as “a handsome guy” who was a few years older than himself who was also from New York.
The sinking became a turning point for the US Navy submarine force, which quickly began the SUBSAFE program which requires strict adherence to specific demands for the type and quality of materials and work used on submarine construction and repair. The idea was to use the best materials, the highest quality, and the most exacting standards so that a tragedy like the loss ofThresher再也不会发生。由于该计划是由美国制定的，因此仅损失了一艘潜艇Scorpion（SSN-589）1968年，该计划在USSAFE计划开始之前启动。
(Thanks to Liz Williams for helping compile this post!)
My Grandfather is the gentleman who spoke with Earl Welsh in 1963. Thomas Clements, his daughter, my mother, is Patricia Clements -Waite Giaquinto. She was born August 4 1964, just a few months after My grandfather died. It would mean everything to her to connect with Earl if possible and to see the pillowcase that her father handed Earl. She never got to meet her father and has always wanted to feel connected to him. Can anyone help connect us?
My name is john antanies.i graduated Westfield hi 1956 same as Tom. I served on uss trigger ss564 and us croaker ssk246. I was discharged 9-13-60 as et2-p1-ss. At Tim of discharge I had been offered ussthresher as next duty. Wife said would leave me if I stayed in. I have always felt some guilt.