In 1970, in a dimly lit control room, tension hung thick as the crew silently tracked their Soviet quarry. Sonar pings echoed softly, revealing only fragments of the underwater landscape. Experienced submariners moved with practiced efficiency, their faces lit by the soft glow of instrument panels.
This underwater shadowing was familiar, a delicate dance they’d performed countless times while gathering intelligence in the frigid North Pacific. USS Tautog, a Sturgeon-class submarine engineered for stealth and armed with powerful torpedoes, was a hidden observer at 292 feet long and 4,800 tons submerged.
Her subject: the K-108, a Soviet Navy Echo II-class guided-missile submarine nicknamed “Black Lila.”
Both submarines, powered by nuclear reactors, knew an unexpected encounter could escalate Cold War tensions with unthinkable consequences.
As the operation continued, pinpointing K-108’s position became increasingly challenging. Erratic sonar readings suggested it was directly above, then suddenly far off. The Captain’s brow furrowed as he studied the confusing data. Something wasn’t right.
For a moment, it seemed as if the ocean itself was holding its breath. Then, without warning—a deafening screech of metal on metal, followed by a violent lurch that sent men sprawling. In an instant, the controlled calm of a routine mission had erupted into chaos.
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Great timing!
You have a nearly infinite archive of photos and video clips of these boats and yet, you choose to loop the same clips over and over. DO BETTER
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So whose ship insurance is gonna pay for damages?
WOW!
Well your story was awesome, excellent piece of Cold War intrigue. I do take issue with some of your details especially that of the T using her sonar to ping the ruskie boat while trailing her. Active sonar sends out a sound pulse “ping” it would be instantly heard and recognized by the K-108. Suicide for an American boat deep in soviet waters
Subs dont ping, they use hydrophones, 8 seconds in and ill pass 😂
As we are on the verge of a hot war with russia, we can watch how in the old days sane people were in power
What a great story. Growing up in the worst of the Cold War, I love these Cold War era stories of enemies always trying to one-up the adversary without getting caught! More of these stories please. PS-I’m actually glad everyone on the Black Lila were okay. The thought of death in a submarine has always been something of nightmares!
The footage these channels use are incredible
What I think I heard is possible insinuation that a "New-Old" sub and crew suddenly appeared after all those years Ya know I've got an old family Deed on a Bridge in New York, costing me much in maintenance, Real Happy to let it go Cheap
All that ocean and they manage to find each other and collide. Incredible.
Did the ship get a battle star for destroying a Soviet Submarine?
CRAZY IVAN!!!!!
K108 was scrapped in 1990……
Who else thinks the Soviets were lying? 🤥
'S*** happens. That's why they called it Krazy Ivan.
The first two pictures of Russian sub's #1 Echo,#2 November.
Crazy Ivan!!!
My Cousin Alan ; served in the SILENT SERVICE at that time , it was still the Vietnam War then and I was 10 years old. Thanks Dark Seas , for this information. Your program is peerless.
f..l usa