“Sinking Submarine” Was Not U.S. Navy’s

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29853, 20 June 1962, Page 15

“Sinking Submarine” Was Not U.S. Navy’s

(NZPA-Reuter— Copyright)

SCITUATE (Massachusetts), June 19 A report that a submarine was sinking off the Massachusetts coast started an intensive sea-air search before it was discounted last night as either a hoax or a series of mistakes. The report originated in a garbled radio call on an emergency distress frequency. saying a vessel was burning some 20 miles at sea. the Coast Guard said. Before a search could be launched the report had grown to the effect that the Navy submarine U.S.S. Argonaut was sinking The Coast Guard could not explain the dscrepancy. the Associated Press reported.

The Navy’s Atlantic Fleet headquarters at Norfolk. Virg'nia, said none of its submarines was in the area, all submarines were in good condition and the Argonaut was berthed safely at Norfolk

The Navy said that none of its other ships was off the

Massachusetts coast and it had no reports of any ships in distress in the vicinity.

One Coast Guard source said what someone thought was a sinking submarine, "probably was a spouting whale.”

The fishing yacht Hurricane and the private yacht Lady L both were in the area and heard the distress call, the Coast Guard reported Both took part in the search, the Hurricane exhausting its fuel and later being towed into Scituate harbour by the Coast Guard. x Following a four-hour search with helicopters, amphibious planes, cutters and patrol boats, the Coas’ Guard said: “The search is negative. All units have been recalled and the case is pending for further developments."

The radioed call picked up by the Coast Guard cams from the area of Farnham Rock Bay, some 60 miles south of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where the Navy submarine Squalus sank in 1939 with the loss of 26 men.