The 200 page publication, "Undersea Encounters" is the most significant research project tackled by Submarine Research Center. It describes over thirty events during a one hundred year period with first-hand descriptions of what it was like to collide with undersea mounts, other submarines, surface craft, rocks, piers, fishing nets, cables and telephone booths.

Surely, with computerized navigational plots and sophisticated sonar an American submarine should be able to operate safely in any world ocean. The assumption that more complex equipment leads to greater submarine safety may be flawed. Recent events involving nuclear powered submarines suggest that progress in safety is not necessarily a concomitant product of submarine complexity.

"Undersea Encounters" describes submarine collisions and groundings from the turn of the twentieth century to the present day. It should be noted that the selected events serve as anecdotal narratives representing American submarine collisions and groundings, including those beyond the dimensions of this publication.

As a preliminary foundation Submarine Research Center made the following hypotheses which on the surface seem logical:

1. As submarine equipment becomes more sophisticated and so provides the crew with better and faster information, hazards to submarines arising from its inhospitable environment become less.
2. As submarine crews become better trained the submarines in which they serve become safer.
3. As interest into the depths of the oceans increases and knowledge of ocean bottoms increases the navigational problem of long term submergence becomes less.
4. As the world's nations harvest the ocean's fish for food the fishing vessels become more complex, automated and safe. Modern fishing vessels and their attendant gear do not impose a danger to submarines sharing an environment with the world's fishing fleets.
5. As submarine systems become more complex the organization of a submarine's crew keeps pace. The resulting multi-level and compartmentalized responsibilities increase the safety of submarine operations.

Each of these statements proved to be either false or in serious question. The conclusions drawn from the research may have some far-reaching implications for those who ride the Trident and Virginia class boats. With pictures and analysis of case law "Undersea Encounters" is both fascinating from the perspective of minute-by-minute description and enlightening from the realization that collisions and groundings occur as frequently today as they did fifty years ago.

This publication is now available for $19,95 plus $2,00 shipping/handling. Write, call or email us at:

Submarine Research Center
Box 6088
US Naval Submarine Base, Bangor
Silverdale, Washington 98315
360-437-8015
subres@cablespeed.com