JAWS - Torpedo Retrieving - 1950's

Since 07-02-05

A Story from the Submarine Research Center
http://www.submarineresearch.com/bull35.html

Fred Pietrowski was on Angler (SS-240) during the 1950s when operating in the Mediterranean. One day they were off Malta after having made an approach and shot a torpedo at a target. The boat surfaced and commenced retrieving its MK 14 exercise shot. As is often required one or two torpedomen would have to jump in the water and assist the sling over the nose of the torpedo. As luck would have it Angler was in the midst of a shark breeding ground.

The sharks were not very hospitable and soon fins were seen circling the bobbing torpedo head and swimmers. A shout was given from the bridge and a couple of swimmers got quickly to the superstructure hand-holds near the bridge. The bow planes were lowered and another swimmer jumped onto the plane. Fred had shinnied up the torpedo body and frantically waved for the deck crew to hoist the torpedo out of the water.

The men quickly obeyed but the torpedo was ill-balanced with Fred on one end. It tilted and he slid back into the water. As he swam to the bow plane the interested sharks closed in. He hoisted himself onto the plane as a shark swept by him.

He and his friend stood frozen with water up to their ankles as the biggest of the monsters approached. The shark rolled, exposed his teeth and bit into the plane. As he slid past crew members grabbed the swimmers' hands and got them aboard.

Later, Fred saw the movie, "Jaws" and he didn't enjoy it one bit.