The Sea Snake Episode

JK Davis

Upon our arrival in Yoko, we were briefed very thoroughly by the staff of ComSubFlot Seven, with particular details regarding our patrol area which was to include the Gulf of Tonkin. Part of the briefing was devoted to the existence in the South China Sea of venemous sea snakes. These air breathing serpents grew up to as much as 8'-10' long and swam in those shallow seas, diving for fish or swimming birds. When disturbed, they would form a ball, hopefully too large to be eaten by larger sea animals. Their venom was extremely dangerous. Unfortunately the briefers had no sample of this beast and we had to rely on poor dictionary sketches and frightening reports and descriptions from fishermen.

On submerged patrol in the Gulf one night, Chief Radioman Hand reported to the conning tower that the floating wire antenna, its base fastened to a terminal on the bridge, had ceased to function and we were out of communications with the Flotilla and anyone else other than on local ops frequencies. There were no sonar contacts and it was a totally black and moonless night, even without starlight that often cast shadows. But we were wary of the many unlighted fishing boats that had been dragging nets in the area and we wanted to remain undiscovered. As we had been hovering for some days, it was decided to pump from the trim tanks to broach. Several red flashlights were made ready with additional coverings. We broached and the two lookouts followed the captain and OOD to the bridge. Totally night-adapted, we were able to determine immediately that there were no fishing boats near.

The OOD whispered down "Send up Hand" and the Chief came up and started feeling for the foam-sheathed antenna to check its base connection. He whispered "Gee, this doesn't feel like the antenna- it is slimy! It feels more like..more like a ....a.." and with that Belgarde, the starboard lookout whispered "clearing the bridge!" and shot down through the hatch. Chief Hand whispered that if it was a snake it was lifeless, so a red light was handed up and sure enough, an 8' sea snake had fouled in the antenna terminal bracket and drowned. The OOD whispered down for 'Doc' Anderson to bring a jar and the snake was lowered into it, to be covered with cloroform and preserved. Chief Hand reconnected the antenna and the word came up that it was again working. The bridge was then cleared, the hatch quietly secured and SPINAX once again slipped beneath the surface.

Below, Belgarde was receiving the razzing of a lifetime as only submariners can dish it out and the sea snake, smiling , it seemed, in the big jar, was being made ready to send back to the Flotilla for inclusion in their now-to-be-more-complete briefings!