Submarine Research Center recently received a letter of interest to all those concerned with American submarine history. We have been unable to substantiate the described event and request your help in doing so. If you have knowledge of the below described collision, please call us at 360-437-8015 or email us at subres@cablespeed.com. The letter is as follows:

Dear Sir:

"I recently purchased your book, "Undersea Encounters" in the hope of finding more information of a collision I was in. It was on a diesel submarine off the Philippines about 1958. My recollection of what led up to it are vague but the event and the ensuing events are etched in my mind yet to this day.

"It was on the USS Pomfret (SS-391) not far off the base at Subic Bay in early 1958, I think. We hit a seamount while submerged. I don't remember what depth we were at but do remember being thrown out of the "honeymoon bunk" in the after torpedo room by the collision. We tried to immediately go to the surface, but went down, how far I don't know. Eventually, we did get to the surface and I think made it to Subic Bay on our own power.

"We immediately went into dry dock, and I was amazed at how quickly the shipyard workers built scaffolding around the boat. From that time on things were a blur, because we worked night and day to get the boat repaired, both inside and out. Damage was severe on the port side. I think a couple of tubes were involved and we had a lot of trouble withdrawing war shots from these tubes.

"This is about all I can remember, and I have tried to find out more about the collision, but have been unable to. I live less than 10 miles from the Submarine Force Library but could find no information there or at the Submarine Base.

"My reason for writing is to ask if you know of the event or do you know where I could go to ask for information? I should think the event is no longer classified, but if it is, will ask no more questions. Thank you."

Information pertaining to such events so long ago are no longer classified under the Freedom of Information Act. Accordingly, SRC requests your help in verifying this interesting historical event.