While combing through boxes of my father’s childhood papers I came across a mint condition copy of the launching program of the USS Thresher SS(N) 593. The program describes the second Thresher as the “lead ship of the world’s most advanced class of nuclear attack submarines”.
Designed and built at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard the Thresher was launched on 9 July 1960, sponsored by Mrs. Frederick B. Warder (wife of the famous Pacific War skipper). The ill-fated Thresher was later commissioned on 3 August the following year, 1961.
My grandfather and father attended the launch as guests. My grandfather held the Naval Shipyard as a customer during his long career at Cutler-Hammer and had secured the contract to provide electrical components to the nuclear submarine.
The Thresher later met her demise off the coast of Cape Cod during deep-diving tests on my father’s birthday, 10 April 1963. After much controversy on the cause it is wildly believed that the silver brazing (used instead of welding) failed allowing water to short circuit the electrical panels disabling controls.
The beautifully illustrated cover art lives on deserves to find itself carefully protected and preserved.
Cheers!
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