WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:10.000 And now, tonight's presentation of radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense. 00:10.000 --> 00:18.040 Tonight, we bring you a story of what might have happened to the first atomic-powered 00:18.040 --> 00:19.040 submarine. 00:19.040 --> 00:22.160 We call it Report on the X-915. 00:22.160 --> 00:24.160 We ask you to remember that it is fiction. 00:24.160 --> 00:31.160 So now, starring Stacy Harris, here is tonight's Suspense play, Report on the X-915. 00:31.160 --> 00:58.320 As shown through groupers orders dated April 1st, 1952, I was detached from temporary duty 00:58.320 --> 01:02.440 with Naval Defense Command Washington and reported to Andrews Field for immediate transportation 01:02.440 --> 01:03.440 through New Haven, Connecticut. 01:03.440 --> 01:08.240 From there, I was directed to proceed without delay to Naval Base Charlie, where I was to 01:08.240 --> 01:09.240 report to Admiral R.L. 01:09.240 --> 01:10.240 Carruthers' commandment. 01:10.240 --> 01:16.000 After a routine flight, I landed at New Haven, Connecticut, and at 1815, I reported with 01:16.000 --> 01:18.000 orders to the office of Admiral Carruthers. 01:18.000 --> 01:19.000 Thank you. 01:19.000 --> 01:20.000 Yes, sir. 01:20.000 --> 01:21.000 Reporting for duty, sir. 01:21.000 --> 01:22.000 Release you down, Commander. 01:22.000 --> 01:23.000 Thank you, sir. 01:23.000 --> 01:24.000 Goodbye. 01:24.000 --> 01:29.680 No, thank you, Admiral. 01:29.680 --> 01:41.360 Commander Richard, what do you know about Project Sailfish? 01:41.360 --> 01:48.440 Atomic pig boat submarine, sir, authorized by the Secretary of Defense, begun May 1949, 01:48.440 --> 01:54.480 designated experimental vessel X-915, cost about $50 million. 01:54.480 --> 01:55.480 What about the timetable? 01:55.480 --> 02:00.880 Oh, I believe the first atomic sub is scheduled for test runs in May of 1953. 02:00.880 --> 02:01.880 You've been reading the newspaper. 02:01.880 --> 02:03.880 And the file in the bureau, sir. 02:03.880 --> 02:08.080 Suppose I told you both, new ships and the daily papers are wrong. 02:08.080 --> 02:09.080 Wrong? 02:09.080 --> 02:10.080 Deliberately wrong. 02:10.080 --> 02:11.080 Oh, I see. 02:11.080 --> 02:15.520 But since this base was activated, Commander, world conditions have changed. 02:15.520 --> 02:18.880 The Navy is no longer satisfied with the eight-hour day to 40-hour week. 02:18.880 --> 02:24.080 For this reason, we've been on a round-the-clock basis for almost six months. 02:24.080 --> 02:30.880 Project Sailfish is one year ahead of schedule, if we could publicly display our accomplishments. 02:30.880 --> 02:33.120 As a fact, it's the case. 02:33.120 --> 02:34.760 Not even to the Bureau of Ship, sir? 02:34.760 --> 02:35.760 Not even to Congress. 02:35.760 --> 02:41.280 I'm beginning to understand why my orders are classified top secret. 02:41.280 --> 02:44.000 Commander, there are 307 men working on this base. 02:44.000 --> 02:48.040 Every single one of these men has been given the most thorough loyalty check possible. 02:48.040 --> 02:51.160 Every single one of them has been working and living behind a barbed wire for the past 02:51.160 --> 02:52.160 six months. 02:52.160 --> 02:55.760 Sir, do you suspect a leak? 02:55.760 --> 02:56.760 We're not sure. 02:56.760 --> 02:59.960 Two days ago, a convoy arrived at the base. 02:59.960 --> 03:00.960 Eight trucks. 03:00.960 --> 03:02.880 And one of those trucks was a Steinblatt periscope. 03:02.880 --> 03:03.880 Yes, sir, I've heard of it. 03:03.880 --> 03:05.880 But not more than a handful have. 03:05.880 --> 03:11.640 Yet, when the periscope was being installed yesterday aboard the X-915, it fell to the 03:11.640 --> 03:13.640 deck, made completely inoperative. 03:13.640 --> 03:17.080 The cable on the crane lifting it into place snapped. 03:17.080 --> 03:18.080 Steel cable. 03:18.080 --> 03:20.080 Had it been cut, sir? 03:20.080 --> 03:21.080 No, it had not. 03:21.080 --> 03:25.760 In fact, the lab technicians assure me it simply broke under the strain. 03:25.760 --> 03:29.280 That cable was designed to support 100 tons. 03:29.280 --> 03:31.760 The Steinberg periscope weighs less than 20. 03:31.760 --> 03:32.760 All right. 03:32.760 --> 03:35.760 Now, there are two possibilities. 03:35.760 --> 03:38.120 One, that the cable was faulty to begin with. 03:38.120 --> 03:39.280 A manufacturer's mistake. 03:39.280 --> 03:41.200 I'm having Washington check that for me now. 03:41.200 --> 03:44.840 That someone on this base somehow weakened that cable. 03:44.840 --> 03:45.840 Sabotage? 03:45.840 --> 03:46.840 Exactly. 03:46.840 --> 03:52.600 Commander, only one thing matters to me right now, that the X-915 completes the first trial 03:52.600 --> 03:53.600 run. 03:53.600 --> 03:55.880 They must proceed according to plan without interruption. 03:55.880 --> 03:58.720 That's why I requested Washington to send me a top man for the UNI. 03:58.720 --> 03:59.720 Yes, sir. 03:59.720 --> 04:00.720 I'll open anyway I can, sir. 04:00.720 --> 04:04.520 When do you plan to test the sub sometime this month? 04:04.520 --> 04:05.520 Not this month, Commander. 04:05.520 --> 04:06.520 Tomorrow. 04:06.520 --> 04:16.160 Twenty-one hundred hours, Tuesday, April 1st, 1952. 04:16.160 --> 04:20.160 I looked up Lieutenant Commander Stanley Lyndon, Chief Engineering Officer, on the base. 04:20.160 --> 04:24.680 In his quarters, I was told Lyndon was at the docks working. 04:24.680 --> 04:28.440 Naval Base Charlie was surrounded by barbed wire, yet within the base itself was still 04:28.440 --> 04:34.720 a smaller area surrounded by more barbed wire, controlled by an armed sailor every 20 yards. 04:34.720 --> 04:37.960 Even with my high priority yellow pass, I was given the same check I've received by 04:37.960 --> 04:40.520 any other visitor to this inner barbed wire area. 04:40.520 --> 04:48.120 For it was here, behind the wire, that the United States ship X-915 was moored, the first 04:48.120 --> 04:49.120 atomic submarine. 04:49.120 --> 04:50.120 All aboard, watch it! 04:50.120 --> 04:51.120 Watch it! 04:51.120 --> 04:52.120 Floodlights covered the area and brought a glaring whiteness over the faces of the men 04:52.120 --> 04:53.120 who were there. 04:53.120 --> 04:54.120 But that wasn't what caught my eye. 04:54.120 --> 04:55.120 It was the thing you see. 04:55.120 --> 04:56.120 The thing you see. 04:56.120 --> 04:57.120 The thing you see. 04:57.120 --> 04:58.120 The thing you see. 04:58.120 --> 04:59.120 The thing you see. 04:59.120 --> 05:00.120 The thing you see. 05:00.120 --> 05:01.120 The thing you see. 05:01.120 --> 05:02.120 The thing you see. 05:02.120 --> 05:03.120 The thing you see. 05:03.120 --> 05:04.120 The thing you see. 05:04.120 --> 05:09.120 It was the thing that lay alongside the dock, the iron and steel monster that nestled against 05:09.120 --> 05:11.120 the peel of a giant pig. 05:11.120 --> 05:17.120 Here she was, black, hideous and beautiful. 05:17.120 --> 05:24.400 The X-915, 3,000 tons, 50 million dollars, the Navy's first line of defense in any future 05:24.400 --> 05:25.400 war. 05:25.400 --> 05:33.760 The atomic age gone down to the sea in ships. 05:33.760 --> 05:37.920 I found Lieutenant Commander Stanley Lyndon just outside a 6x6 wooden shack near the dock. 05:37.920 --> 05:38.920 He invited me inside. 05:38.920 --> 05:44.360 The old man phoned you were coming down, Commander. 05:44.360 --> 05:45.360 What's the story, Lyndon? 05:45.360 --> 05:46.360 About the Steinberg periscope. 05:46.360 --> 05:47.360 I wish you could tell me. 05:47.360 --> 05:48.360 How do you feel about it? 05:48.360 --> 05:49.360 Personally. 05:49.360 --> 05:50.360 Me? 05:50.360 --> 05:51.360 Yeah, you. 05:51.360 --> 05:52.360 Not the official Navy. 05:52.360 --> 05:53.360 Sabotage? 05:53.360 --> 05:54.360 I see. 05:54.360 --> 05:55.360 And? 05:55.360 --> 05:56.360 And something more than just the periscope? 05:56.360 --> 05:57.360 I think so. 05:57.360 --> 06:04.360 Something else has happened to the men, the crew, the officers. 06:04.360 --> 06:07.360 Could it be the speed up? 06:07.360 --> 06:08.360 It could be. 06:08.360 --> 06:13.360 24 hour days, 7 day weeks, even with three ships you get the feeling of rush. 06:13.360 --> 06:16.360 Get it done right now, get it done yesterday. 06:16.360 --> 06:17.360 Your crane operator. 06:17.360 --> 06:20.360 I think he might have had something to do with it. 06:20.360 --> 06:21.360 Thompson? 06:21.360 --> 06:22.360 Yeah, I said that now. 06:22.360 --> 06:25.360 But then I could say that about almost every man on the base. 06:25.360 --> 06:30.360 They were handpicked, Commander, not just stray working with know-how, but the best. 06:30.360 --> 06:33.360 Nobody applied for a job at this base, not even me. 06:33.360 --> 06:35.360 We were all chosen. 06:35.360 --> 06:40.360 And the loss of your periscope doesn't postpone your trial run set for tomorrow. 06:40.360 --> 06:45.360 Commander, Washington didn't take chances with anything on Project Sailfish. 06:45.360 --> 06:47.360 Two periscopes were made. 06:47.360 --> 06:51.360 The second was installed less than an hour ago. 06:51.360 --> 06:53.360 What's your ETB for tomorrow, Lyndon? 06:53.360 --> 06:55.360 0700. 06:55.360 --> 07:00.360 Good. I'll be aboard. 07:00.360 --> 07:05.360 0700, Wednesday, April 2, 1952. 07:05.360 --> 07:20.360 Captain Zeo Under, U.S. Navy commanding officer, sets special fee detail aboard the USS X915. 07:20.360 --> 07:28.360 On October 10, the X915 left the berth under auxiliary power. 07:28.360 --> 07:33.360 0830, the X915 was in the open sea. 07:33.360 --> 07:36.360 Now hear this. Now hear this. 07:36.360 --> 07:46.360 All ship personnel, X915 is 22 and will proceed under atomic power. 07:46.360 --> 07:51.360 And in the control room. 07:51.360 --> 07:54.360 Engines sound good. 07:54.360 --> 07:56.360 Watch our speed, Lyndon. 07:56.360 --> 07:58.360 30 knots, traveling at two-thirds. 07:58.360 --> 08:00.360 Cruise at 50. 08:00.360 --> 08:02.360 That's what the book says. 50 knots. 08:02.360 --> 08:04.360 30 knots submerged. 08:04.360 --> 08:07.360 You've been reading the same book, Commander. 08:07.360 --> 08:10.360 Today's test is speed and maneuverability. Testable. 08:10.360 --> 08:11.360 Am I right? 08:11.360 --> 08:13.360 Right. Tomorrow we go for depth. 08:13.360 --> 08:19.360 We're successful today. 08:19.360 --> 08:21.360 10 hundred hours. 08:21.360 --> 08:24.360 Captain Under gave the command of standard speed. 08:24.360 --> 08:27.360 The X915 responded quietly and efficiently. 08:27.360 --> 08:31.360 We made 50 knots. 08:31.360 --> 08:33.360 11 hundred hours. 08:33.360 --> 08:36.360 Captain Under gave the command of flank speed. 08:36.360 --> 08:39.360 We made good 60 knots. 08:39.360 --> 08:48.360 Nothing in the United States Navy could catch him. 08:48.360 --> 08:51.360 At 1700 hours, the exercises were secured. 08:51.360 --> 08:56.360 At 1730, the X915 tied up alongside the dock at Naval Base Charlie. 08:56.360 --> 09:01.360 A pig boat of tomorrow was everything the Navy had hoped for and then some. 09:01.360 --> 09:06.360 Lyndon and I went up to the VOQ, changed clothes, and joined Admiral Corrotus for dinner in his office. 09:06.360 --> 09:09.360 Lyndon reported, and I listened. 09:09.360 --> 09:13.360 Yes, there was sabotage aboard the sub. It had kept itself well hidden. 09:13.360 --> 09:15.360 Everyone was pleased. 09:15.360 --> 09:21.360 The Admiral suggested I continue my investigations on shore the next day instead of joining the test on Baker, and I agreed. 09:21.360 --> 09:27.360 Lyndon and I said good night to the Admiral and headed for our quarters. 09:27.360 --> 09:36.360 0700 Thursday, April 3, 1952. USS X915 underway for depth test. 09:36.360 --> 09:40.360 0800 I began an investigation of the dock area. 09:40.360 --> 09:45.360 0930 I was summoned to the office of Admiral Corrotus and the messenger said it was urgent. 09:45.360 --> 09:48.360 Never mind that. You get me the secretary of defense. 09:48.360 --> 09:50.360 Don't worry, it's now you get him. 09:50.360 --> 09:52.360 All right. All right. Call me back. 09:52.360 --> 09:54.360 Hand me those charts, please, Commander. 09:54.360 --> 09:58.360 Hello. 09:58.360 --> 10:01.360 What? Why do I care if he's in the meeting? 10:01.360 --> 10:03.360 No, I don't care if he's with the president. You get him. 10:03.360 --> 10:05.360 I have the charts, Commander. 10:05.360 --> 10:07.360 You know the test area for the 8th ground, which is in circle. 10:07.360 --> 10:11.360 Yes, sir. 10:11.360 --> 10:14.360 I believe this color is the area of store, Commander. 10:14.360 --> 10:16.360 Yes, good. 10:16.360 --> 10:19.360 Hello. Hello. 10:19.360 --> 10:21.360 Yes, this is Corrotus. 10:21.360 --> 10:23.360 Oh, yes, sir. 10:23.360 --> 10:25.360 Yes, that's right. 10:25.360 --> 10:27.360 No, nothing's changed. 10:27.360 --> 10:29.360 No, sir. 10:29.360 --> 10:33.360 I want authority to put Plan Zebra in effect. 10:33.360 --> 10:36.360 Yes, it wants. 10:36.360 --> 10:38.360 Thank you. 10:38.360 --> 10:40.360 Yes, sir, right away. 10:40.360 --> 10:42.360 All right, Commander Richards, here it is. 10:42.360 --> 10:44.360 Sir? 10:44.360 --> 10:46.360 The X915 began depth test at 0800. 10:46.360 --> 10:49.360 She was to remain at various depths until 0900. 10:49.360 --> 10:51.360 It is now 940. 10:51.360 --> 10:53.360 She hasn't said anything. 10:53.360 --> 10:55.360 What about radio contact, sir? 10:55.360 --> 10:57.360 Silence. She hasn't answered a radio message since 0845. 10:57.360 --> 10:59.360 You think they're in trouble? 10:59.360 --> 11:01.360 I don't think so. 11:01.360 --> 11:03.360 Sir? 11:03.360 --> 11:09.360 That sub was equipped with any number of special emergency devices, including an automatic marker which would immediately rise to the surface should any trouble develop at the engines. 11:09.360 --> 11:11.360 No markers have appeared. 11:11.360 --> 11:13.360 Well, I don't know if she is in trouble. 11:13.360 --> 11:21.360 The X915 is deliberately maintaining radio silence and is proceeding under her own orders to some unknown destination. 11:21.360 --> 11:25.360 Have the destroyer escorts lost contact with us, sir? 11:25.360 --> 11:30.360 The accompanying destroyer reports the sub disappeared off their sonar screen at full submerged speed, 30 knots. 11:30.360 --> 11:33.360 Commander, there is only one possible conclusion. 11:33.360 --> 11:40.360 The X915 has fallen into enemy hands. 11:40.360 --> 11:44.360 Ten hundred hours, April 3, 1952. 11:44.360 --> 11:46.360 Admiral Kolevichov. 11:46.360 --> 11:49.360 The admiral explains Plan Zebra. 11:49.360 --> 11:54.360 There are 15 plans covering each phase of the trial run to Project Sailfish. 11:54.360 --> 11:57.360 Each plan covers a particular contingency. 11:57.360 --> 12:02.360 Of all of them, Plan Zebra is to be used only in the case of extreme emergency. 12:02.360 --> 12:07.360 It covers the possibility of capture of the X915 by enemy forces. 12:07.360 --> 12:11.360 Even though it's very unlikely, every possibility has to be provided for. 12:11.360 --> 12:14.360 And the secretary gave you permission to put this plan into effect, sir? 12:14.360 --> 12:15.360 Correct. 12:15.360 --> 12:19.360 Within half an hour, the task force will steam out of three separate bases on the Atlantic coast. 12:19.360 --> 12:22.360 They'll rendezvous at this point here. 12:22.360 --> 12:26.360 That's about 100 miles southeast of this base, correct? 12:26.360 --> 12:31.360 When the task force is rendezvoused, they will begin search Able, which is the second step in Plan Zebra. 12:31.360 --> 12:33.360 And that is to find the X915? 12:33.360 --> 12:35.360 Not to find it, Commander. 12:35.360 --> 12:40.360 The sinker. 12:40.360 --> 12:42.360 $1,100. 12:42.360 --> 12:46.360 The story of the escorting the atomic sub in the second trial run reported they had watched the dive 12:46.360 --> 12:49.360 and never regained either visual radar or sonar contact. 12:49.360 --> 12:54.360 This supported the admiral's theory that the X915 was not on bottom. 12:54.360 --> 13:00.360 Either the crew was composed entirely of traitors, which was unlikely in view of the exhaustive loyalty checks made on them, 13:00.360 --> 13:07.360 or some small portion of that crew, perhaps but a handful of men, had succeeded in taking over Commander DeBessos. 13:07.360 --> 13:09.360 1,130 hours. 13:09.360 --> 13:14.360 Admiral Carruthers established radio contact with the task force, which had now begun to rendezvous at Point Stork. 13:14.360 --> 13:21.360 The task force commander, Captain Elton R. Stevens, was designated by the code name Red Dog One for radio communications. 13:21.360 --> 13:27.360 Admiral Carruthers was using Pier Point Five on a wavelength unavailable to the sub. 13:27.360 --> 13:34.360 This is Red Dog One. This is Red Dog One. Hello, Pier Point Five. Hello, Pier Point Five. This is Red Dog One. 13:34.360 --> 13:36.360 How do you read me? Over. 13:36.360 --> 13:42.360 Hello, Red Dog One. This is Pier Point Five. I read you four by three. 13:42.360 --> 13:47.360 Pier Point Five, this is Red Dog One. Group is headed for Stork. 13:47.360 --> 13:50.360 We are beginning search plan Oval. Over. 13:50.360 --> 13:54.360 Hello, Red Dog One. This is Pier Point Five. How's the weather? 13:54.360 --> 14:01.360 Pier Point Five, wind 20 to 25 knots per hour. We could do a lot better with a calmer sea. Over. 14:01.360 --> 14:08.360 Red Dog One from Pier Point Five, execute search plan A-Boat. Good luck. Over. 14:08.360 --> 14:12.360 Pier Point Five, that's given. Over and out. 14:14.360 --> 14:16.360 Now we wait. 14:16.360 --> 14:18.360 Well, that said, we've got a pretty fair lead at number. 14:18.360 --> 14:22.360 We haven't got any in the fleet that can make good 30 knots of merch. 14:22.360 --> 14:28.360 I don't know who's commanding the X-915 right now, Richards, but if he's smart, he isn't traveling submerged. 14:28.360 --> 14:32.360 I don't understand your point, sir. What about air search? They'd spot him in a minute if he's surface. 14:32.360 --> 14:37.360 The sub is equipped with Mark 10 radar. That means she can pick up a plane 100 miles away. 14:37.360 --> 14:40.360 By traveling on the surface, she can make good 60 knots. 14:40.360 --> 14:44.360 She'll have plenty of time to die before being spotted by the air force. 14:45.360 --> 14:47.360 Yes. 14:47.360 --> 14:49.360 Yes, just a minute. 14:49.360 --> 14:51.360 Commander, it's for you. Take it to the other office, please. 14:51.360 --> 14:53.360 Yes, sir. 14:59.360 --> 15:00.360 Richards speaking. 15:00.360 --> 15:02.360 Commander Richards, sir? 15:02.360 --> 15:03.360 Yes, who is it? 15:03.360 --> 15:06.360 Sir, this is Lieutenant Hammond down at the torpedo shack. 15:06.360 --> 15:07.360 Yes, go on with him. 15:07.360 --> 15:12.360 Well, sir, you remember you were inspecting the torpedoes down here this morning about nine o'clock. 15:12.360 --> 15:13.360 That's right. 15:13.360 --> 15:16.360 Remember you checked the cases containing the atomic warheads? 15:16.360 --> 15:19.360 You told me to report to you if anything funny happened. 15:19.360 --> 15:21.360 All right, Lieutenant, what have you found? 15:21.360 --> 15:24.360 Well, sir, that's just it. We didn't find anything. 15:24.360 --> 15:28.360 We see one of the gates came open a while ago and we could see it was empty. 15:28.360 --> 15:31.360 Somebody had removed the atomic warheads during the night. 15:31.360 --> 15:32.360 What? 15:32.360 --> 15:34.360 We looked down here at the torpedo shack, Commander. 15:34.360 --> 15:36.360 Perhaps you'd like to come down here and have a look for you. 15:36.360 --> 15:41.360 Never mind that, Lieutenant. You get some men, search the entire storeroom, search the base and check back with me. 15:41.360 --> 15:43.360 Oh, we haven't got time for that now. 15:43.360 --> 15:46.360 See why that second fighter group hasn't contacted our task force yet. 15:46.360 --> 15:48.360 Right. 15:48.360 --> 15:49.360 Anything, Commander? 15:49.360 --> 15:51.360 Robert was then in Hammon at the torpedo shack, sir. 15:51.360 --> 15:54.360 He told me he found the atomic warhead crates empty. 15:54.360 --> 15:55.360 Empty? 15:55.360 --> 15:57.360 That's right, sir. They're conducting a thorough search, but I don't imagine they'll find them. 15:57.360 --> 16:00.360 Those crates were marked torpedoes, but you know as well as I do what they actually contain. 16:00.360 --> 16:03.360 Yes, sir, atomic warheads for the guided missiles aboard the X-915. 16:03.360 --> 16:06.360 They were scheduled for use in the final trial run. 16:06.360 --> 16:10.360 Quick, with those warheads, that sub could launch a full-scale atomic attack on any city on the eastern seaboard. 16:10.360 --> 16:11.360 Yes, sir. 16:11.360 --> 16:13.360 Well, that about does it. 16:13.360 --> 16:16.360 Not only has an enemy force succeeded in capturing our first atomic submarine, 16:16.360 --> 16:19.360 but now they've taken along the greatest single weapon the United States Navy owns. 16:19.360 --> 16:25.360 Admiral, Admiral, the captors of the X-915 pulled off one of the greatest coups in military history. 16:25.360 --> 16:27.360 Wouldn't you think they'd be satisfied to let it go at that? 16:27.360 --> 16:32.360 But, but this enemy went to the added risk of stealing a shipment of atomic warheads for guided missiles. 16:32.360 --> 16:36.360 Now why? Why take that extra gamble unless you had plans to use it? 16:36.360 --> 16:37.360 I see your point. 16:37.360 --> 16:40.360 If they wanted the sub and were planning to make a run for it, they've accomplished it. 16:40.360 --> 16:43.360 But they included in their plans atomic warheads. 16:43.360 --> 16:47.360 Admiral, it's my guess they're going to use those rockets in the near future. 16:47.360 --> 16:50.360 Why, well, say today. 16:50.360 --> 16:53.360 I'll go along with that reasoning, Commander. Let's get to work. 16:57.360 --> 17:01.360 Thirteen hundred hours, April 3, 1952. 17:01.360 --> 17:03.360 Admiral Clothers and I studied the charts of the Atlantic coast. 17:03.360 --> 17:07.360 We agreed the nearest major target for atomic attack would be the city of New York. 17:07.360 --> 17:11.360 Figuring the effective range of the sub's missiles at 50 miles within, 17:11.360 --> 17:14.360 sketched in the launching area the sub would have to use. 17:14.360 --> 17:17.360 Once that was established, there remained one simple detail. 17:17.360 --> 17:20.360 Stop those rockets from leaving the sub's deck. 17:20.360 --> 17:22.360 Admiral Clothers had a plan. 17:22.360 --> 17:26.360 All right. Now we settle on the probable side of their attack. 17:26.360 --> 17:28.360 That becomes our bullseye. 17:28.360 --> 17:32.360 Around that bullseye we draw a circle ten miles out. 17:32.360 --> 17:35.360 Like this. 17:35.360 --> 17:37.360 Then another circle. 17:37.360 --> 17:41.360 It's another ten miles. 17:41.360 --> 17:43.360 And still another. 17:43.360 --> 17:47.360 Until the outer circle around the bullseye measures a 100-mile radius. 17:47.360 --> 17:51.360 In other words, sir, our outer circle is out of the atomic sub's radar range, right? 17:51.360 --> 17:52.360 Exactly. 17:52.360 --> 17:58.360 Now, calculating their speed, of course, we should arrive at their ideal launching site, the center of our circle. 17:58.360 --> 18:01.360 Just about the time we're able to complete a ring of ships 100 miles out. 18:01.360 --> 18:03.360 With the X-915 in the center. 18:03.360 --> 18:06.360 Except if we close in, sir, the sub will submerge and escape under us. 18:06.360 --> 18:07.360 We won't close in. 18:07.360 --> 18:08.360 Sir? 18:08.360 --> 18:11.360 We'll send one ship in toward the bullseye, alone. 18:11.360 --> 18:12.360 The sub will pick up contact. 18:12.360 --> 18:16.360 Oh, and they'll figure for a stray vessel, not enough of a threat to fight them, 18:16.360 --> 18:19.360 that it will force them to shift their position before launching their missile. 18:19.360 --> 18:20.360 Correct. 18:20.360 --> 18:22.360 And it also forces them to come and submerge. 18:22.360 --> 18:24.360 And that negates the 100-mile radar. 18:24.360 --> 18:30.360 Now, we send in another ship, the sub's ship's position again, to another segment of our circle. 18:30.360 --> 18:31.360 Then we send in still another ship. 18:31.360 --> 18:34.360 We're constantly narrowing their corridor for attack. 18:34.360 --> 18:38.360 And then when they do break service in the last remaining segment to launch their missiles, 18:38.360 --> 18:40.360 we're surrounding them. 18:40.360 --> 18:44.360 We hope to God we are commanding. 18:44.360 --> 18:45.360 Hello. 18:45.360 --> 18:46.360 Red Dog One. 18:46.360 --> 18:49.360 Hello, Red Dog One, this is Air Point Five. 18:49.360 --> 18:51.360 Over. 18:51.360 --> 18:53.360 Hello, Air Point Five, this is Red Dog One. 18:53.360 --> 18:55.360 Over. 18:55.360 --> 18:57.360 Discontinue search plan Able. 18:57.360 --> 18:59.360 I repeat, discontinue search plan Able. 18:59.360 --> 19:01.360 Over. 19:01.360 --> 19:04.360 Air Point Five, this is Red Dog One. 19:04.360 --> 19:07.360 Would you repeat your last transmission? 19:07.360 --> 19:09.360 Red Dog One, this is Air Point Five. 19:09.360 --> 19:13.360 I repeat, discontinue your present search plan. 19:13.360 --> 19:16.360 The following plan supersedes all previous orders. 19:16.360 --> 19:21.360 It is to be executed immediately following this transmission. 19:21.360 --> 19:25.360 For five minutes, the Admiral gave facts and figures. 19:25.360 --> 19:29.360 And at 1600, the plan was in effect. 19:29.360 --> 19:33.360 The Admiral clicked off his radio transmitter and we stared at each other. 19:33.360 --> 19:39.360 We had to pray for one thing, that whoever had captured the X-915 was now proceeding to the launching area, 19:39.360 --> 19:47.360 and once there would attempt to destroy the city of New York. 19:47.360 --> 19:49.360 1715. 19:49.360 --> 19:53.360 The sun was low outside the Admiral's office. 19:53.360 --> 19:56.360 The sun was low outside the city of New York. 19:56.360 --> 19:59.360 The sundown is made for submarines. 19:59.360 --> 20:04.360 It is their witching hour, their time for attack. 20:04.360 --> 20:06.360 Coffee? 20:06.360 --> 20:12.360 Yes, thank you, sir. 20:12.360 --> 20:14.360 What time is it? 20:14.360 --> 20:18.360 It's exactly 1720, sir. 20:18.360 --> 20:20.360 Beautiful sunset. 20:20.360 --> 20:22.360 Yes, sir. 20:22.360 --> 20:25.360 Used to seem like this off on the way to the Pacific. 20:25.360 --> 20:28.360 That's where you have the sunsets. 20:28.360 --> 20:31.360 Linden was served in the Pacific? 20:31.360 --> 20:34.360 Yes. 20:34.360 --> 20:36.360 What happened to Linden and Captain Unger? 20:36.360 --> 20:38.360 Unger was a classmate of mine at the Academy. He didn't sell out. 20:38.360 --> 20:41.360 None of them sold out, sir. They were shying and I didn't bet on it. 20:41.360 --> 20:44.360 And they're all aboard that sub right now. 20:44.360 --> 20:46.360 Linden and Unger and a lot of good men. 20:46.360 --> 20:48.360 The sub is our job to sink. 20:48.360 --> 20:50.360 5.5, this is Red Dog One. 20:50.360 --> 20:51.360 I should be at the launching point now. 20:51.360 --> 20:53.360 This is Red Dog One. 20:53.360 --> 20:55.360 5.5 to Red Dog One. 20:55.360 --> 20:57.360 Go ahead. Over. 20:57.360 --> 21:00.360 5.5, we have completed the range. 21:00.360 --> 21:04.360 I repeat, we have completed the range. Over. 21:04.360 --> 21:10.360 Red Dog One, 5.5, have you sent in your first messenger? 21:10.360 --> 21:12.360 5.5, Red Dog One. 21:12.360 --> 21:13.360 Roger. Over. 21:13.360 --> 21:16.360 Red Dog One, proceed with plan. 21:16.360 --> 21:21.360 Please advise any contact. Over and out. 21:21.360 --> 21:25.360 The Admiral sat down behind his chart-coded desk. 21:25.360 --> 21:29.360 The wind-stained lines of his face were more noticeable now. 21:29.360 --> 21:33.360 Together we waited. 21:33.360 --> 21:37.360 5.5, and then again, step in messenger. 21:37.360 --> 21:40.360 Rain's closing. No contact yet. 21:40.360 --> 21:43.360 Over and out. 21:43.360 --> 21:50.360 Ten minutes. 21:50.360 --> 21:57.360 Twenty minutes. 21:57.360 --> 22:01.360 Thirty minutes. 22:01.360 --> 22:03.360 Ten minutes, sirs. 22:03.360 --> 22:05.360 Closing to hold out. 22:05.360 --> 22:06.360 No contact. 22:06.360 --> 22:08.360 Over and out. 22:08.360 --> 22:13.360 One by one, the single ships were slicing across the big target that we'd drawn on our chart. 22:13.360 --> 22:16.360 Each ship slicing in closer toward the launching area, 22:16.360 --> 22:20.360 forcing the enemy we had never seen to change plans, change positions, 22:20.360 --> 22:24.360 yet not frightening him enough to make him forget his attack. 22:24.360 --> 22:29.360 8.5, Red Dog One, sending in seventh messenger. 22:29.360 --> 22:31.360 No contact yet. 22:31.360 --> 22:34.360 Closing within one day or miles of both eyes. 22:34.360 --> 22:36.360 I repeat, no contact. 22:36.360 --> 22:38.360 Well, one way that's good, Commander. 22:38.360 --> 22:40.360 At least we can feel certain the sub has a surface. 22:40.360 --> 22:44.360 All we're safe from a radar then, our sound range is only 10,000 yards. 22:44.360 --> 22:48.360 I'm going to order the task force to patrol that range. 22:48.360 --> 22:52.360 Red Dog One, take position five miles from both eyes. 22:52.360 --> 22:55.360 I repeat, take position five miles from both eyes. 22:55.360 --> 22:57.360 Over. 22:57.360 --> 23:00.360 10-1, pilot. This is Red Dog One. 23:00.360 --> 23:02.360 Okay, skipper, that's as close as we can get. 23:02.360 --> 23:04.360 Report to me every minute. 23:04.360 --> 23:05.360 Yes, sir. 23:05.360 --> 23:08.360 Red Dog One, good man. Over and out. 23:08.360 --> 23:09.360 He's worried. 23:09.360 --> 23:11.360 Well, I don't blame him, sir. 23:11.360 --> 23:13.360 Well, he's only worried. I'm scared. 23:13.360 --> 23:15.360 I suppose the sub headed for Siberia. 23:15.360 --> 23:17.360 Well, sure then we were out of luck anyway. 23:17.360 --> 23:24.360 Hip-1-5, closing in to 10,000 yards. 23:24.360 --> 23:26.360 No contact. 23:26.360 --> 23:32.360 Destroyer group in. 23:32.360 --> 23:36.360 Hip-1-5, destroyer group off my fourth file has found an enemy. 23:36.360 --> 23:40.360 I repeat, destroyer group has found an enemy. 23:40.360 --> 23:42.360 The sub is servicing. 23:42.360 --> 23:44.360 Hip-1-5, you hear me. Over. 23:44.360 --> 23:48.360 Red Dog One, I hear you. Over. 23:48.360 --> 24:00.360 Enemy has surface. Destroyer group opening fire. 24:00.360 --> 24:08.360 Sky-farmers, one and one. 24:08.360 --> 24:15.360 Cover message is off to 7-0 limit. 24:15.360 --> 24:22.360 Hip-1-5. Hip-1-5. 24:22.360 --> 24:28.360 Red Dog One. Red Dog One, come in. 24:28.360 --> 24:33.360 Red Dog One, this is Hip-1-5. Come in. 24:33.360 --> 24:41.360 Red Dog One, are you receiving me? 24:41.360 --> 24:45.360 Hip-1-5, this is Red Dog One. I am receiving you. 24:45.360 --> 24:49.360 Air Force and destroyer group to the cat. 24:49.360 --> 24:55.360 The X-915 is sinking. I repeat, sir, the X-915 is sinking. 24:55.360 --> 24:58.360 Proceeding to pick up survivors. Over. 24:58.360 --> 25:13.360 Red Dog One, this is Hip-1-5. Well done. Over and out. 25:13.360 --> 25:18.360 Ten hundred hours, April 4, 1952. 25:18.360 --> 25:21.360 Task Force Able reported in to Admiral Corrupted. 25:21.360 --> 25:25.360 Of the crew of 40 men and eight officers, there were 11 survivors. 25:25.360 --> 25:29.360 Captain G. L. Unger and Lieutenant Commander Stanley Lyndon were not among them. 25:29.360 --> 25:32.360 But the 11 survivors told us the story. 25:32.360 --> 25:35.360 The X-915 had been captured during maximum depth tests. 25:35.360 --> 25:39.360 It had taken only eight well-trained enemy agents to do it. 25:39.360 --> 25:41.360 Where did they come from? 25:41.360 --> 25:44.360 For one year they had been trained for this assignment. 25:44.360 --> 25:47.360 All eight were seaman with brilliant naval records. 25:47.360 --> 25:52.360 All eight had been living and working within naval base Charlie for over six months. 25:52.360 --> 25:56.360 And what of the Steinberg Periscope? Why had they sabotaged this? 25:56.360 --> 25:58.360 The answer was they had not. 25:58.360 --> 26:03.360 Just as the lab technicians had told us, the cable had broken from strain. 26:03.360 --> 26:05.360 A manufacturer's mistake. 26:05.360 --> 26:10.360 A mistake that brought about an investigation that saved the city of New York. 26:10.360 --> 26:32.360 End of report. 26:32.360 --> 26:41.360 Suspense, in which Stacy Harris starred with Jack Cushin in tonight's presentation of reports on the X-915. 26:41.360 --> 27:03.360 Tune us in next week to radio's outstanding theater of thrill, Suspense.