As submariners stole supersekret US Navy.

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We submariners accepted that there submarine lucky and unlucky there and just daring. Such can be considered a multipurpose nuclear submarine "K-324" (according to NATO classification - Viktor 3, we have this type of submarine was listed under the code "Pike") pursued by misfortunes throughout the service in the combat fleet.
Thus, even during the production tests in the summer of 1981 at about. Askold "Pike" rammed into the area of ​​the 4th reactor compartment unknown nuclear submarine (according to some sources - Chinese nuclear submarines of the "Han", which, according to Japan, sank. The Chinese in this regard keep dead silence). Then there was an explosion of the battery and volume fire in the 1st torpedo room, where he was a full ammunition - 24 conventional torpedoes and two nuclear warheads. Only some incredible miracle saved the "K-324" and her crew from destruction and nuclear disaster: a compartment was completely destroyed, but the torpedo did not detonate. Sometimes, the icebreaker suddenly sank rapidly to a depth to the fatal spot, where the boat will not float - they are like a shell, crush wild water pressure. And emergency pursued "Pike", even after the withdrawal of it in sediment. It all began, they say, from the fact that during the descent from the slipway at the shipyard in Komsomolsk-on-Amur on the keel of the Premier League did not break the traditional bottle of champagne. Four times in a row (!), Which is considered to be an evil omen ... Describe all the misadventures of "K-324" for 20 years of service in the Pacific, followed by the Northern Fleet - not enough for an entire newspaper. And therefore we will focus on just one story from the life of the submarine. Stories exciting, unbelievable, a decent adventure story.

Emergency ascent

Hike "K-324" to the shores of America in the autumn of 1983 made a stir in the Atlantic. At the end of October the American media thundered the whole world sensation by publishing pictures of emergency cropped up in the Sargasso Sea off the coast of the United States of the Soviet multi-purpose submarine "K-324". The boat was in the drift, allowing the trim nose and partially exposing the stern with propeller.

I must say that while the Cold War was in full swing, and the attacks on Americans, including and prowling about the shores of the US nuclear submarines the Soviet Union with nuclear weapons on board and is a deadly threat to America "and the entire free world," the military and political leadership of the Soviet Union did not respond. And what can be said if Moscow did not really know what happened in the Sargasso Sea is a combat service, "K-324»?

In fact, Americans are not concerned by the mere fact of our submarine surfacing. The reason for such a nervous reaction in a completely different wing. In what turned out to be wound on the screw "K-324". Situation was very serious. And at the forefront of opposition to the will of the commander happened to be "K-324" Captain 2nd Rank Vadim Terekhin and his crew, which in the hands of those days was the fate of the world.
So what happened to the Soviet submarine in late October 1983 in the Sargasso Sea?

An unexpected catch at $ 500,000

It was the first combat duty in the Atlantic, "K-324", which shortly before it went to Kamchatka under the Arctic ice in the Northern Fleet and was included in its composition. Two abroad rather complicated NATO ASW our divers went secretly. In any case, the surveillance is not found. However, five days later to hear the work of sonobuoys. This indicated that they are detected. Denunciation of the KP fleet this did not. Because it is a minus commander for the loss of secrecy. Captain 2nd Rank Terekhin hoped that he would be able to break away from "ears" foe. And the case has turned up. It is going in the right direction for a large ship. "K-324" successfully settled down under his bottom and four days followed by its position in the Sargasso Sea. As a result of this maneuver, the enemy lost contact with our boat.

Arriving in the Sargasso Sea, "K-324" took the position 38 miles from the US Navy base Wil Jackson. There was a shipyard where the Yankees were building nuclear submarines such as "Ohio." Just at this time, according to our intelligence, it had to pass the test of the 5th Corps of the type of boat "Florida." At the edge of the territorial waters of the United States of its output controlled reconnaissance ship of the Northern Fleet "Nakhodka". The idea of ​​our commanders was like that. As soon as the scouts find leaving the base of "Florida", they immediately have to pass the contact with the crew of "K-324" to have worked with the US divers submarine - wrote it features elements of agility and etc. In addition, "K-324" was to carry out reconnaissance of US long-range acoustic detection systems, our ships. After a while, we got terehintsy shifroradiogrammu: output "Florida" delayed a few days, change the area status, follow in a certain square. Submariners have moved to the area. Hydroacoustic found some ship. On our submarine we decided that this fishing trawler. Then the crew Vadim Terekhin again ordered to change the area. At the same time, "fisherman", ducked under it, our guys have changed position.

As it turned out, terehintsy "to sit down" at the bottom of the US Navy frigate "McCloy» (McCloy), which just looked for "K-324" using the latest super-secret towed sonar (this is a few hundred meters of special cable at the end of which is in a capsule smart sonar filling). Soviet intelligence was after the new American system of early warning of foreign submarines, but get it while it was not possible.

Then the course of the boat and a frigate left. "McCloy" and not finding Russian submarine (taivshuyusya under him), he returned to the base. And then the Yankees were horrified: it turned out that they were somehow inexplicably lost their super-secret expensive towed antenna. Commander of the frigate superiors "flogged" so that he cursed the day and hour when he decided to go to serve in the US Navy. In the end, it was concluded: the antenna has come off as a result of a heavy storm started. Although it is still hard to believe: it was too firmly it was fixed, the tank does not come off! Tank it may indeed not tear, but the submarine, and even the Soviet ...

"From 00 to 8:00 am on 25 October, I carried a watch in the control room, - says the former commander of" K-324 "Captain 1st Rank Vadim Terekhin stock. - The speed of 12 knots, go to a depth of about 100 meters. At 3 o'clock I decided to drink tea. Just sat down, vibrating body and there was a panic alarm. Fired turbine emergency protection. We have lost the course. The boat we have single-shaft, so the situation is very serious! Under the keel of more than 4 thousand meters. Keeping depth on thrusters on a quiet course of 3-4 knots under motors. About two hours trying to figure out what happened? We are trying to run a turbine, but it failed. Mechanic Captain 2nd Rank Anatoliy Sedakov knew there was something with a propeller, but what? If wrapped fishing net - nothing like this would happen, it would have broken screw. So, it was something else. Meanwhile, the time came for a session with the manual of the Northern Fleet. Around 5 o'clock in the morning gave the command to emerge to periscope depth. However, at periscope depth the boat was not kept, we washed up on the surface. We have lost all BTF (main ballast tanks. - Comm. Aut.), And surfaced in cruising position. It is clear that in this way violated the secrecy. Violent storm raged. Getting to the bridge was not possible. The periscope could see some loop on the aft stabilizers 10 centimeters in diameter. Apparently, this nowhere grafted cable and screwed into the screw. We assume that this is some kind of military cable. When failed to establish the connection, the radio gave the CP fleet, reported on the emergency ascent, the situation. Then, twice tried to go under water. In vain.

And the second time, began to fall so quickly to a depth that thought flashed: all end! After 140 meters, where we were, blow tank hard. With some difficulty, but it failed to prevent the fall of boats on the transcendent depth. Surfaced. The storm did not let up. A boat with a displacement of 7, 5 thousand tons of cast on the waves like an empty tin can. In compartments of everything that was not fixed, and even that was attached, with posryvalo places and scattered across the deck. We got the radio. KP Northern Fleet brought us to communicate with MSC Chief of Staff of the Navy. The situation is very serious. In Moscow we have long thought what to do. CPSU General Secretary Andropov was sick, and the responsibility for any consequences due to our freelance ascent no one wanted to take ».

At the end of October - early November 1983 the world was again on the brink of nuclear war. The crew of the Soviet submarine "K-324" in the Sargasso Sea accident took over one of the most important secrets of the US Navy - ultra-modern antenna designed to detect submarines. The Americans were furious and take such steps to discourage the secret that it almost came to an armed clash that could escalate into war between the two superpowers ... That's how it recalls the former commander of "K-324", Captain 1st Rank Retired Vadim Terekhin, who now lives in Vladivostok.

"The boat did not take risks»

"... The General Staff of the Navy finally gave cipher in which he asked to determine what the rope reeled boat on the screw? And then he ordered not to risk the ship and the people. And what can we do if a ship without a course and a storm is raging? In the evening on October 26 element slightly subsided, I took the machine's safety tip and made his way to the stern. Came close to the stabilizer and screw was impossible. 6-7 meters opened fire on the cable. Sparks fly, bullets do not take it. So armored. A second attempt to make a midshipman. He made his way to the stern with an ax, mounted the coil of cable and how you canceled your score! The ax flew one way, Ensign - in another. What to do? We decided to wait for the storm to subside completely. While waiting, it seemed a Canadian airliner. We immediately realized: Now tell us, and the Americans added headache. And sure enough, 40 minutes later, two anti-submarine "Orion" of the US Navy were right there. We threw sonar buoys, cushioned on all sides, as the wolf hunters red flags. When the couple flew to the base, they were immediately replaced by others. And since more than 10 days. Yes, helicopters are constantly hanging over us.

On the night of October 27, we get a radio from Moscow to you directed razvedkorabl "Nakhodka" with Cuba rescue ship "Aldan" for assistance. Figured "Nakhodka" - a small craft, much good from it a little. A "Aldan" to spank us for at least 10-11 days ...

Osnaz group commander Senior Lieutenant Sergey Arbuzov, assigned to the "K-324" from radio intercepts learned that the Americans stormed captured Grenada, and now two destroyers of the US Navy, "Nicholson" and "Peterson" in full swing follow to our boat. I declared alarm. We are not running, helpless, what to expect from the Yankees, is not known. Especially that Arbuzov has learned that "K-324" caught and broke the top-secret super modern towed cable antenna system CEO TASS, which had an American destroyer "McCloy." So we unwittingly stole a big secret US Navy. It became clear that the Americans will try to discourage this cable ».

Confrontation on the verge of foul

Approaching the helpless Russian submarine, the Americans began to clamp it in a vise: on both sides maneuvered dangerously at a distance of 30 m. At the same time mocking, politely offered to help. The commander of the "K-324" Terekhin ordered to post a signal to the periscope, "Thank you, do not need! Stop dangerous maneuvers! I have the dangerous goods on board! ". A load was really dangerous: torpedoes and missiles with nuclear warheads firing range of 3 thousand. Km, easily the deficient Washington. Meanwhile, their ships could, if not specifically, that because of the wave to hit the icebreaker and seriously damage it, or even sink. Destroyers, going from the stern "K-324" hooks trying to catch the cable antenna. The same operation was performed, and helicopters hanging over the boat. But it failed to do. It was a real battle of nerves, threatening about to escalate into military action.
Particularly critical situation November 5th. Yankees picked up a signal: we prepare for the descent air assault means! Aboard the destroyers were fighters, pointedly dresses in suits divers.
Icebreaker "K-324" - the territory of a sovereign state. It is located in international waters. If Americans really dare to seize the boat - it's war! Captain 2nd Rank Terekhin Council invited the First Lieutenant, political officer, a special person and a miner. It was clear that if the assault, divers do not fight back. In any case, the commander of "K-324" ordered the miners prepare to undermine the icebreaker and flooding. The crew planned to replant on rafts and then approached razvedkorabl "Nakhodka».

When the Americans began to prepare landing a boarding group commander in the aft superstructure sent eight officers with machine guns and grenades. Ordered to shoot if the Yankees dare to storm. To frighten submarine demonstratively purged ballast tanks feed pressure of 200 atmospheres. Bubbles with noise up to the sky! To combat troops in the circumstances, it is also a weapon!

There is just Moscow coded "K-324" sent not to succumb to provocations, the situation is extremely dangerous! Terekhin did not know yet that all NATO forces are given in high alert and were just waiting for the order to begin combat operations. The world was on the brink of war. In another coded messages signed the Soviet Navy Commander Gorshkov was ordered in whatever was to preserve the "trophy" antenna and a convenient opportunity to send to Moscow. Tough confrontation between the two superpowers continued until 7 November. But the Americans did not dare to take a Russian submarine on board the ship.

Yankees left-nosed

November 8 came a rescue ship "Aldan". Ran divers. At the hub of the screw "K-324" found a powerful tangle of torn metal and the two ends of the cable, trailing far aft. Loosen the screw in field conditions was not possible. With regard to cable length of 420 m, the whole day our guys chose him out of the water with the help of elektroshpilya and placed in the 1st compartment. Then MSC Chief of Staff of the Navy instructed: to follow in tow to Cuba.

Easy to say - go! Adopt a lift was not so simple: the Yankees until recently did not want to let the Soviet submarine with a "prey." "Aldan" stood up to the wind, "K-324" - the wind. Use a rubber raft, our sailors began to start towing dredge, which took about 10 hours. And when almost everything was ready, the American officer aboard the destroyer "Peterson" rafts shot from a carbine. They began to do it all over again. And the Yankees again shot, drowned our rafts to tug. On "Aldan" was last set of rafts. What to do? This time, the operation zavodki tug decided to cover exploration ship "Nakhodka". Success! And emergency "K-324" led to the shores of Cuba. US Navy destroyers escorted the boat to the territorial waters of Island of Freedom.

Cubans greeted the Soviet submariners welcome. A platoon of combat swimmers identified for the protection of boats at the entrance to the bay put two small anti-submarine ship. On the first day of a secret cable was sent by plane to Moscow. But to smelt metal from the propeller hub "K-324" two Cuban brothers-cutter had four days. After 11 days of the Soviet submariners left Cuba and headed in the Sargasso Sea, where two weeks patrolled. And only then were ordered to return home. They came to the base for a week before the new 1984 year. At the command boat took special department logbook and all other documents. They say that all official documents the epic "K-324" in the Sargasso Sea classified to this day. And with our own, and the American side.

- Vadim Alexandrovich, you are rewarded for the fact that even though unintentionally, by chance, but fulfilled, in fact, the work of intelligence, producing supersekret US Navy?
- Thank God, not punished! In our case, it was the best reward!





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