These Miniature Sharks Became a Big Problem for the US Navy’s Nuclear Subs

Photo Credit: 1. Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Lynn Friant / US Navy / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain 2. Jennifer Strotman / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain
Photo Credit: 1. Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Lynn Friant / US Navy / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain 2. Jennifer Strotman / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

Various situations can result in the decommissioning of submarines during underwater missions, such as encounters with sea mines, torpedoes, accidents and intentional scuttling. However, an unexpected event caused severe damage to a US Navy fleet and forced a submarine to return to port. The surprising culprit? A shark no bigger than a house cat.

The US Navy’s nuclear fleet was effected 

USS Ohio (SSGN-726) at sea
USS Ohio (SSGN-726), the lead vessel in her class. (Photo Credit: PH3 SHAWN HANDLEY, USN / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain)

This peculiar scenario unfolded within the US Navy’s nuclear fleet – notably affecting the Ohio-class submarines – during the Cold War.

The Ohio-class comprises four guided missile submarines (SSGNs) – the USS Ohio, Michigan, Florida and Georgia – along with 14 ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) — the USS Henry M. Jackson, Alabama, Alaska, Nevada, Tennessee, West Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Nebraska, Maryland, Rhode Island, Louisiana, Wyoming and Maine.

What makes the Ohio-class unique?

USS Pennsylvania (SSBN-735) at sea
USS Pennsylvania (SSBN-735), one of the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines in the US Navy’s Ohio-class. (Photo Credit: L Smith / Classicstock / Getty Images)

Distinguished as the largest submarines ever constructed for the Navy and among the world’s largest, they trail behind only the Russian Navy’s Typhoon-class and Borei-class. Notably, the Ohio-class boasts a greater armament capacity, as each submarine is equipped with 24 Trident II missiles, surpassing the 16 on the Borei-class and 20 on the Typhoon-class.

Issues with technology started during the Cold War 

USS Florida (SSGN-728) at sea
USS Florida (SSGN-728), one of the US Navy’s Ohio-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines. (Photo Credit: David Nagle / US Navy / Getty Images)

During the Cold War, submarines were among the most advanced weapons technologies out there. However, their underwater operations led to occasional issues, including leaking oil lines, missing electrical cables, and damaged sonar domes and sound probes that would fail unexpectedly.

Often, the damage was significant enough to necessitate returning the vessels to base for repairs.

Cookiecutter shark was the culprit 

Cookiecutter shark on the beach
Cookiecutter shark. (Photo Credit: PIRO / NOAA Observer Program / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain)

At first, the Navy suspected the damage might have been the result of a new Soviet weapon. However, the real cause turned out to be something much more surprising: the cookiecutter shark.

For those unfamiliar, the cookiecutter shark, also known as the cigar shark, typically measures around 16-20 inches in length and inhabits oceans worldwide. Its name comes from the distinctive circular wounds it leaves on its prey—often much larger animals—which resemble marks made by a cookie cutter.

A dome was added to protect the submarines

USS Michigan (SSGN-727) arriving at port
USS Michigan (SSGN-727), an Ohio-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, arriving in Yokosuka, Japan, 2012. (Photo Credit: Smith Collection / Gado / Getty Images)

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Cookiecutter shark bites have been found on a wide variety of sea-life and have even been noted on manmade structures, such as oil rigs, as they attack any soft area that is exposed. The Navy eventually realized the shark was behind the damage to its nuclear submarines and decided the best way to counter it was to place a fiberglass dome around the vessels’ most sensitive parts.

Clare Fitzgerald

Clare Fitzgerald is a Writer and Editor with eight years of experience in the online content sphere. Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from King’s University College at Western University, her portfolio includes coverage of digital media, current affairs, history and true crime.

Among her accomplishments are being the Founder of the true crime blog, Stories of the Unsolved, which garners between 400,000 and 500,000 views annually, and a contributor for John Lordan’s Seriously Mysterious podcast. Prior to its hiatus, she also served as the Head of Content for UK YouTube publication, TenEighty Magazine.

In her spare time, Clare likes to play Pokemon GO and re-watch Heartland over and over (and over) again. She’ll also rave about her three Maltese dogs whenever she gets the chance.

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