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I was CO SILVERSIDES from 1 DEC 1978 until 25 AUG 1982. We were the E boat when I took over in the MED and we had the privilege of performing the sinkex on ex-TIRU on 18 July 1979 about 120 miles east of Norfolk. Captain Al Paoele USN the CSS-6 Deputy for Readiness was the planner and OTC for what I believe is still the only moving target sinkex on record. SS-416 was tied up outboard of us at pier 22 Norfolk during our upkeep for about three weeks while she was cleaned up environmentally.
One engine was left with minimum oil level and five hours of DFM fuel. She was towed out on a Monday by the USS ORTOLAN (the catamaran retriever) and set underway on one engine. We fired two exercise weapons at her while the four operators (3 CPO's and one NAVSEA GS) were still on board.
The second day after several range delays (P-3 aircraft and helos insured 75 miles safety radius), I watched the helo lift off the four riders and I moved away and deep for the shot. She was doing 6.7 knots on the surface of course with all WTDs open. The weapon ran just as programmed and sono-buoys recorded its acquisition and home to explosion right under the running engine. She sank in 89 seconds but took about 15 minutes to reach the bottom in just over 12,000 feet of water. The tape of her breaking up and imploding will never leave my mind and we could not listen to it while eating dinner. The sounds coming from a sinking ship leave a dramatic impression, believe me. Although I directed the attack and ordered the firing, I let a First Class EM (NUC) on my crew (my age precludes remembering his name) who had earned his dolphins on USS TIRU, actually throw the firing switch to launch the MK-48 MOD-3 Torpedo that was selected by a dice roll from those war-shots we had in the TR.
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