E-Paper
Submarine capers
Since, he could not be accommodated in the control room due to lack of space as also for operational reasons, the author had him sit in the cramped sonar space from where he could hear all the orders being passed and see how the sonar operator functioned. He was without doubt a little green and not very comfortable.
Since, he could not be accommodated in the control room due to lack of space as also for operational reasons, the author had him sit in the cramped sonar space from where he could hear all the orders being passed and see how the sonar operator functioned. He was without doubt a little green and not very comfortable.
“Sonar report HE Alfa”.
“HE Alfa steady at 50 cables.Speed opening up. Target speed 10 knots”.
“Roger. All positions set target 50 cables,speed 10 knots.Helmsman steady on course.”
“Aye Aye, Sir!”
The captain then ordered, “ Prepare Torpedo tube 3, salvo one. Set target draught to 10 meters.”
“Torpedo tube 3, stand by”
“Stand by to commence attack”
“All positions stand by”
“All positions, target speed 10 knots, target range 50 cables, draught 10 Meters.”
With all checks in place, the Captain finally went on, “ Stand by to fire.”
“Forends, ready to fire.”
“FIRE! Sonar HE classify and report.”
“HE dead ahead, opening. Torpedo HE 14 knots, draught 10 meters.Torpedo HE closing with HE Alfa. Torpedo HE match achieved with HE Alfa.”
What this meant, was that the exercise red and white torpedo fired from Vaghsheer had successfully and theoretically killed the Vagir.
The author was explaining this to the VVIP, when this happened.
“THUD! CLANG!”
The whole submarine shook horribly. The sound was defening inside the submarine.Something solid had struck the Vagsheer’s conning tower which sonar reported as a torpedo strike. But how could this have happened when we had just successfully struck the Vagir.Did the exercise torpedo circle around and strike Vaghsheer? This was not possible for by the time the Vaghsheer was hit,the exercise torpedo would have surfaced. Unless, it had a major flaw.
The VVIP had paled significantly by the time the author had escorted him to the wardroom (mess).He was also actually trembling and shaking his head quite vigorously.
From the control room, “ fire the green surface signal ejector. Emergency surfacing.”
At 9 meters depth, the Captain ordered the raising of the attack periscope and peered through it to see the surface of the sea. Every thing seemed so serene.
“Exercise torpedo visual. Green 30 10 cables.”
The submarine surfaced and in the distance Vagir also surfaced. One Fleet ship had also sighted the red and white torpedo some distance away and was heading for the pick up.
So what had hit the Vagsheer?
The Captain ordered a sailor to climb outside the fin to investigate. The inside of the fin had been damaged quite severely by the hit. When the sailor returned, he reported a huge dark green color dent which was rounded and had the shape of a war head torpedo.
So who could have fired a war head torpedo on the Vagsheer. Both submarines were unarmed. The exercise torpedo was red and white in color.
The submarines and ships returned to harbour safely. The Vaghsheer had indeed been struck by a war head torpedo which for same reason did not explode.
Otherwise, it was curtains for all on board as also the VVIP from Delhi.
The gentleman had a lot to say thereafter on the incident but marveled at the professionalism that the crew had showed during his brief but exciting stay on board. The mystery lingers on to this day.
Epilogue
Sailors, the world over have always taken special pride in features of their uniform, especially so, an insignia or emblem that makes them stand out amongst their comrades. And so, the submarine badge – the DOLPHINS, was adopted to indicate the special under water service. The badge is worn by every submariner whether officer or sailor and for life, since this has been earned. A coveted symbol, an emblem of honour. Submariners all over the world, relate to this emblem as their own and are thus automatically drawn towards each other.
And they always speak of surfacing after a dive.
And I too, earned my submarine badge- the hard way.
A privilege for life.
(The author has served in the Navy for the past 35 years as a submariner and qualified diver. Besides being an MD in Internal Medicine, he superspecialised in Under Sea Medicine. He is the present Commandant of Command Hospital, Lucknow.)
