Guest MrMudd Posted September 21, 2003 During the ICEX 2003 naval exercises near the North Pole, the American submarine Connecticut (SSN 22) poked its sail and rudder through the ice. The sub surfaced in an area of polar ice between Alaska and the North Pole Subs in the arctic have long ago learned to look out for polar bears, especially if some of the crew are allowed out on the ice. In this case, a large (700-800) pound polar bear was seen approaching the sub. For about 40 minutes, the bear loitered around the subs rear rudder. It took a bite out of the rudder and, finding it inedible, stayed around the area of broken ice around the rudder for a while, apparently thinking a seal (the bears favorite food) might use it as an air hole. The bear finally left when he heard the noise of an approaching helicopter. When an officer first looked around outside via the periscope, he noted that his sub was being stalked by a hostile polar bear. The periscope cam was turned on, and these photos of a polar bear chewing on the subs rear rudder resulted. The damage was said to be minor. The SSN 22 is a Seawolf class boat, one of the navy's newest submarines. It wasn't designed as a polar bear snack, but that's how life is sometimes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Growler67 0 Posted September 21, 2003 It's his turf, leave him have it. Kewl post MM! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Seawolf 0 Posted September 22, 2003 That's awsome! lol Chalk up another sea story for the crew. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CowboyTodd41 134 Posted September 22, 2003 OMG, whe you said Bear attacks sub I thought of this... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
