Under attack

On the West Coast, a flurry of activity was taking shape. The author at the time was also the Squadron Medical Officer of a Squadron of Submarines at a major base on the West Coast. The flurry of activity was the result of a message from Delhi that a particular VVIP wanted to see a submarine and sail in one, for the duration of a day. The gentleman concerned was extremely keen to see how submarines operate, so that he could take a decision on the next phase of the submarine arm?s future.

On the West Coast, a flurry of activity was taking shape. The author at the time was also the Squadron Medical Officer of a Squadron of Submarines at a major base on the West Coast. The flurry of activity was the result of a message from Delhi that a particular VVIP wanted to see a submarine and sail in one, for the duration of a day. The gentleman concerned was extremely keen to see how submarines operate, so that he could take a decision on the next phase of the submarine arm’s future.

HT Image

The plan conveyed to the Captain of the submarine squadron was that the VVIP would sail out on a fleet ship, rendezvous submarines at sea and embark a submarine and spend a day with her. That was already well and the easiest part. Sending out submarines and ships to sea for no useful reason is expensive business and so every moment at sea is used for exercises with other ships, work up of fleet ships, work up new submarine crew, missile testing and firing and a whole lot more.

On this occasion, as luck would have it, the submarine squadron was handed over a newly developed exercise torpedo for testing at sea. Two submarines were to be involved in this exercise with the submarine INS Vaghsheer carrying the exercise torpedo which was to be fired on another submarine INS Vagir. This was to test out the Hunter- Killer role of submarines. Both submarines would be at a depth of 60 metres when the firing of the exercise torpedo takes place. The exercise torpedo by description is a red and while striped torpedo without a war head. It carries its own inert navigation system and prepared to run a limited distance of about 7-10 miles before it sets off its own trigger mechanisms and surfaces. An orange dye gets released when the torpedo reaches the surface of the sea, which indicates its location for a pick up by a ship.

As usual, both the submarines sailed out in the early hours of the morning. The sea was flat calm, the weather beautiful and pleasant.

On reaching the exercise area, both submarines carried out their check dives independently to ensure that all systems at sea were operational and perfect.

Thereafter, the submarines remained on surface gently bobbing on the slight swell of the sea. At about 11 am, a couple of fleet ships made the rendevous.

The VVIP was brought to INS Vaghsheer by boat,to spend the day at sea. The author was designated as the LO of this VVIP and was to guide him and show him all aspects of a submarine while the Captain and his crew prepared the submarine for the dive.

By midday, both submarines had dived to 60 meters depth with the Vagir 5 miles ahead. The exercise of firing a test unarmed torpedo would begin shortly.

“Sonar, classify HE Alfa and report”. “HE Alfa 50 cables ahead, range constant speed 4 knots”.

“Action Stations ! Action Stations ! Torpedo attack ! Attack team close up”.
The author meanwhile, explained the whole process to the VVIP, as to how the sonar operates, what the control room is all about, how submariners live and survive. The VVIP, was obviously extremely nervous and getting rather uncomfortable what with slight sea sicknes as also the closed environment.

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.