The Stein Incident: When a “Sea Monster” Attacked a U.S. Navy Warship
The U.S.S. Stein (DE-1065) was a Knox-class “Destroyer Escort” (ASW Frigate) named after Medal of Honor recipient Tony Stein. Like most ships of the Knox-class, the Stein was built with Anti-Submarine Warfare in mind and as such, the vessel was equipped with an advanced sonar system on its bow.
While on a patrol near the South American coast in the Pacific, the vessel was violently rocked as if it had struck something in the water. Thinking it may have been a submarine, the crew began to scan the water to see if there were any signs of debris or anything that suggested such an impact had occurred. But while nothing was found, the sonar system was knocked out, and as a result, the ship would have to go to drydock for repairs.
The Discovery in Drydock
When the ship did arrive and the water was drained, the repair crews were met with a rather odd sight. Upon inspection, they found that the “NOFOUL” rubber coating of the AN/SQS-26 sonar dome was damaged by multiple cuts that covered 8% of its surface.
But what was really disturbing was that remnants of sharp, curved claw marks and small teeth were also discovered. These markings were similar to those found on sperm whales, which are known to eat giant squids.
The Unresolved Mystery
To this day, the true identity of the Stein’s would-be attacker remains unsolved. However, it is believed that whatever it was, it was at least 150 feet in length.
~NC
