20804 " THE SUBMARINERS " 1960s U.S. NAVY ASW ANTI-SUBMARINE WARFARE EXERCISE USS SHARK SSN-591 (Print 1)
Presented by the U.S. Navy and narrated by Chris Bohn, “The Submariners” (1967) is a color film that discusses the establishment of ASW (anti-submarine warfare) and the rapid development of underwater technologies since WWII. More importantly, perhaps, the film seeks to highlight the men or “submariners” that are integral to submarine operations. The film showcases the American nuclear attack submarine USS Shark (SSN-591), which was launched in 1960, while conducting anti-submarine warfare maneuvers, depicting crew conducting sonar searches, and living, and working at sea. Also included in the film is footage of the USS Holland (SS-1), the Navy's first submarine, as well as early subs including the USS S-44 and other vessels like the USS Gyatt (DD-712) and USS Fremont (APA-44).<p><p>Film opens, shuttle bus drives around parking lot of Norfolk Naval Shipyard (Virginia), different Naval ships docked at port (0:07). Petty officer 2nd class and sonar technician, Jerry Allerton, seen riding around in shuttle bus (0:31). Diving officer Ted Thatcher at home participating in “domestic life,” ideal nuclear family wife and two kids (1:05). Steve Ferris, lieutenant commander of US Navy submarine, looks over maps with fellow lieutenant (2:03). Ed Corbin, Master Chief Petty Officer, US Navy submariner, says bye to wife at dock who is driving what may be red 1963 Ford Thunderbird (2:39). USS Shark (SSN-591) submarine at pier, commander conducts roll call of officers on neighboring pier (4:01). U.S. Navy Natick-class large harbor tug Winnemucca (YTB-785) (4:54). Opening credits (4:58). Chris Bohn introduces film from navigation bridge of USS Shark (5:30). Aerial view of USS Shark cruising slightly submerged (6:12). Coordination between commands as they prepare to dive; Coordination among different posts within submarine (7:15). View of submarine submerged below surface, submarine’s ability to move stealthily and undetected below water’s surface makes it valuable (8:25). Sonar technology “underwater eyes and ears of the submarine,” sonar operator shown listening to underwater noises picked up by hydrophones (9:38). Footage of ocean depths, coral reef and underwater canyons (10:27). Examples of different sounds: Whales, aerial view of school of whales traveling close to water’s surface (11:18). Porpoises (11:36). Brief history of Navy submariners (11:43). Archive footage USS Holland (SS-1), U.S. Navy’s first modern commissioned submarine (12:22). USS Gyatt (DD-712), USS Fremont (APA-44), and USS S-44 (12:59). Threat of German U-boats during WWI (13:04). Invention of early U.S. Navy submersibles: US L-class, O-class, and R-class submarines (13:20). Invention of fleet-type submarines; Footage of fleet-type submarines in the Pacific (13:27). Changes in submarining since WWII: Snorkel, nuclear power, new hull design (14:07). Two officers play cards in sleeping quarters, new hull design allows for more space (14:22). Operations as submarine carries out training exercise of setting up zone of defense; Successfully discover enemy and intruder, pinpoint location, and destroy (15:26). Battle positions: Commanding officer and assistant approach officer at “the con,” diving officer, fire control party, plotting party (15:56). Weapons system personnel in torpedo room (6 × 21 in (530 mm) torpedo tubes), use weapon monitor panel to keep operator and torpedo tube captains informed (16:38). Three phases of submarine attack: Contact, approach, attack (18:22). Approach phase: Enemy determined to be diesel electric-powered boat (perhaps reference to 1960 Soviet submarine K-129), careful analysis of sonar information, plotting party and fire-control party use sonar measurements to pinpoint target, torpedo tubes made ready for launching (18:57). Problem-solving as enemy undetectable, quick trouble shoot using calculations and guesses based on last dive spot (21:50). Crew onboard patiently waits and passes time, strategic striking over random encounters; Top commanding officers seen dining with fine china until they get word to assume battle positions (23:22). As battle station alarm sounds throughout submarine, officers seen springing from beds into action (24:24). Torpedoes fired; Contact made using underwater phone with “enemy” practice vessel who will report accuracy of firings (24:50). Chris Bohn summary of main points (26:25). Closing credits (28:31). Film ends (28:35).<p><p>Motion picture films don't last forever; many have already been lost or destroyed. For almost two decades, we've worked to collect, scan and preserve the world as it was captured on 35mm, 16mm and 8mm movies -- including home movies, industrial films, and other non-fiction. <p><p>This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com