What Are the 4 Missing Submarines? The Mystery Behind It All

Well, if you're like me, you’ve probably heard a lot of buzz about the four missing submarines over the years, but you might not know exactly what happened. It’s one of those unsettling stories that keeps popping up in the news—submarines disappearing without a trace. The fact that submarines, highly advanced and expensive military machines, can just vanish into the deep ocean is mind-blowing. So, let me walk you through the four most infamous cases, and maybe you’ll feel the same mix of fascination and unease that I do.

1. The Submarine That Vanished: The USS Scorpion (SSN-589)

The first one that comes to mind, and one I’ve read a lot about, is the USS Scorpion, an American nuclear submarine that went missing in May 1968. Honestly, every time I think about this one, it sends chills down my spine. The Scorpion was on its way back to Norfolk, Virginia, after completing a patrol. But for reasons still debated today, it never made it home. The Navy later found the wreckage 10,000 feet deep in the Atlantic Ocean, but to this day, the cause of its sinking remains a mystery.

Some say it was a mechanical failure, others think it might’ve been a torpedo that malfunctioned. And then there’s the theory about a possible Soviet attack (which, you know, adds even more intrigue). I remember having this conversation with my friend, Tom, who’s obsessed with military history. He argued that it could have been a covert operation, but that just adds another layer to the whole conspiracy, doesn’t it?

2. The Lost Submarine: The ARA San Juan (S-42)

Let’s jump to a much more recent case: the ARA San Juan, an Argentine submarine that went missing in November 2017. It had been undergoing maintenance and was on a routine patrol when it suddenly lost communication. The Argentine Navy was desperate to find it, and search efforts stretched for days. What makes this case even more haunting is that the San Juan’s crew sent a final distress call, saying they were having battery issues. Despite all efforts, it wasn’t until a year later, in 2018, that the wreckage was found, 900 meters below the ocean’s surface.

Now, what went wrong? Was it an issue with the submarine’s outdated equipment? Was it sabotage? Honestly, it’s still unclear. There are conspiracy theories, of course, but the lack of concrete evidence leaves a lot of room for imagination. Ana, a friend of mine from Buenos Aires, was really shaken by this tragedy, especially since so many families never got closure. It made me realize how hard it must be for people close to the crew to live with the unknown.

3. The Minatour: Mysterious Disappearance in 1945

Going back in time, another case that’s a bit obscure but still haunting is the disappearance of the USS Cyclops during World War II. The USS Cyclops wasn’t exactly a submarine, but it was a huge ship, and its loss, along with all 309 men aboard, is tied to the strange occurrences in the Bermuda Triangle. The ship was last seen sailing between the islands of Barbados and Hampton Roads, but it never arrived. Over the years, the theories have ranged from mechanical failure to Bermuda Triangle phenomena.

I know, I know—people are always talking about the Bermuda Triangle, but honestly, why hasn’t the wreckage ever been found? The sheer size of the vessel makes it almost impossible for something like this to just disappear. When I asked my uncle (who has a bit of a conspiracy theory streak) about this, he was convinced it had something to do with extraterrestrials or hidden naval operations. Pfff, but who knows, right?

4. The Mystery of the K-222: Soviet Submarine Gone Wrong

Alright, so now we dive into the Cold War era. This one is more niche but equally as fascinating. The K-222, a Soviet submarine, was the fastest submarine ever built, reaching speeds of 44 miles per hour underwater. It was a technological marvel at the time. But after completing just a few missions, it mysteriously disappeared from Soviet records. It was later discovered that it had been in a major accident in the Barents Sea, in 1989, where it sank to the bottom. It’s believed that the accident was due to a combination of mechanical failure and the extreme pressure of its design.

Interestingly, the Soviets kept much of the information surrounding the incident tightly under wraps. So, it wasn’t until years later that the West found out about it. I mean, the fact that they tried to cover up such a high-tech failure makes you wonder about all the things they still haven’t told us.

So, What Do We Know?

Honestly, nothing. Each of these disappearances involves a mix of speculation, frustrating unknowns, and the ocean’s deepest secrets. Submarines are among the most complex machines built by humanity, and when they disappear, it’s like they’re swallowed by the sea with almost no trace. Sure, search efforts and technology have improved, but there’s always that lingering question: “What happened?” Why haven’t we found the answers?

But maybe, just maybe, that’s part of the mystery—there are certain things we’re never meant to understand.

Have you heard about any other missing submarines? Or do you have a theory on one of these cases? Honestly, I’d love to hear what you think. Drop your thoughts in the comments.

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