Aboard the USS Albacore by Jackson Humphrey
PREFACE
This story is based on my recollection of my time aboard the USS Albacore in the mid-1960s. Description of events and my observations are from a civilian perspective. Quotations and military terms used are to the best of my memory. Website references in footnotes are valid as of April 21, 2021. Some of the information was classified during the early days of our research, however this is no longer the case.
BACKGROUND
Having joined the Defense Research Laboratory (1) as a Research Scientist, I was assigned to a contract with the Naval Ordinance Laboratory (2). We were performing research for a new weapon system. When deployed, it was called CAPTOR (3).
The concept was an underwater mine that listened for an approaching enemy vessel. If it were a submarine running below the surface, the mine would determine its depth and launch a torpedo to that depth for the kill. We invented the necessary mechanisms for target detection and depth determination, which was the heart of the CAPTOR mine.
The inventors were Benjamin Weiss, Allen Findeisen, and Jackson Humphrey. The US patent on the core design of the weapon was assigned to the “United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy.”
Initial prototypes (without torpedo) were built by us in our own facilities since the project was classified. Each was transported to Port Everglades where it was taken to sea and placed on the continental shelf off the Florida coast.
Testing of these prototypes was done using submarines to make passes (runs) over it. The prototype also contained data collection equipment to test the effectiveness of detecting and then determining the depth of the target.
The Navy had two towers on shore that could triangulate on subs, establishing their exact location prior to submerging. This allowed us to position the sub for submerged runs over our prototypes.
We used a variety of submarines to validate our design. One of us always went aboard to coordinate the tests. I had the privilege of riding several different classes of subs. One of my great pleasures was conducting sea tests aboard the USS Albacore.
MY STORY
It all started at our research facility when I was assigned to conduct the next weapon prototype test. I packed my bags and headed to Florida.
On arriving at the dock in Port Everglades, the submarine’s XO greeted me. He and the captain were briefed previously of my role to oversee the test. After a quick tour of the sub, we sat down in the wardroom for coffee and to discuss my expectations. I mapped out needed runs at various keel depths and speeds.
The captain informed me that other tests would be conducted in conjunction with mine. They were determining the optimal distance between the contrarotating, in-line propellers. Strobe lights, synchronized with prop rotation, would reveal cavitation. Video of the props and cavitation would be analyzed later.
Since the USS Albacore was used for research, it was quite different from other subs used in earlier tests. It was the Navy’s first with a teardrop-shaped hull—the prototype for the Navy's nuclear subs. On entering the sub, I saw a sign; it set the record as the world’s fastest sub. To say the least, the sign took me by surprise.
Inside, the technology was amazing and unexpected. Where the diving officer sat looked like the cockpit of an aircraft. He controlled the depth and direction of the sub with a single control yoke. He even had a seat belt. A seat belt in a submarine? I wondered what other surprises I would find while aboard.
We left port at minimum rpm. At sea, we began our tests. After several runs at depths of 100 and 200, we conducted our first run at 300 feet. The plan was to increase our speed to all ahead full. This was the top speed I could request since flank speed was reserved for war or emergency situations.
I stood behind the diving officer and next to the captain.
The sub maneuvered on the surface to the proper location to start the run. The captain then gave the command to dive. We headed down and leveled off at 300 feet. Next, he ordered, “All ahead full.” I stared at the instrument panel readout as the speed increased. The sub began to shake, and you could hear the water rushing by the hull. This was new to me and a little unsettling, but everyone looked calm. Apparently, this was normal.
As we made our run, I continued to look at the panel. The depth readout rapidly fluctuated between 290 and 310 feet; the diving officer had trouble keeping the sub level at this speed.
When we came to the end of the run, the captain gave the command to turn to starboard. Suddenly, the sub rolled over on its side as it made the turn. I grabbed hold to keep from falling. This was normal when turning in an airplane, but something this large and heavy and in water—it seemed impossible.
After slowing down, the captain said, “Bring her to periscope depth.” At 100 feet, the captain raised the periscope, draped his arms over it, searching from bow to stern.
Suddenly, the captain lowered the periscope and gave the command, “Take her down smartly.” Without hesitation, the diving officer said, “Aye, aye sir, taking her down smartly,” and simultaneously, shoved the control yoke forward. I grabbed hold; it felt like the sub was going straight down.
The captain, after a short time, gave the command to level off and then stared at his watch. Confused, I asked the captain, “What happened?” He replied, “We were about to surface and hit a large fishing boat. You can’t hear them since they kill their engine and drift with the current. We’re ducking under it.” Checking his watch again, he gave the order, “Bring her up to periscope depth.”
After the rest of our runs, we returned to port.
I was impressed by the response of the diving officer. He carried out the captain’s orders quickly and without question. And this saved the lives of those out for a leisurely day of fishing off the Florida coast.
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1. The University of Texas Research facility changed its name to the Applied Research Laboratories. Current information on the lab’s research can be found at www.arlut.utexas.edu
2. More on the history of the Naval Ordnance Laboratory can be found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_Ordnance_Laboratory
3. Additional information on CAPTOR can be found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_60_CAPTOR