On the night of October 28, 1981, the Soviet submarine U 137 ran aground in Gåsefjärden and the eyes of the world turned to the Karlskrona archipelago for ten dramatic days.
U 137 was a Whiskey-class submarine there of the name ”Whiskey on the Rocks”.
In the middle of the military protection /area outside Karlskrona, the
Soviet submarine U 137 ran aground at Torhamnaskär in Gåsefjärden, about 10 km southeast of Karlskrona.
U 137 was unable to get off the ground using its diesel engines. The engines were run at high speed, but nothing helped. The population of the islands around, heard the engine noise, but could not see anything in the dark. At the time of the incident, the grounding
was seen as evidence of extensive Soviet underwater activity in Swedish waters.
At a press conference November 5, the then Prime Minister Thorbjörn Fälldin informed the public that there were nuclear weapons on board U 137. The next day, the submarine returned to the east on its own engine.
The incident around U 137 became a wake-up call for the navy and the whole society.
For those who want to experience this historic site, boat trips to the area are organised sporadically. These tours give visitors the opportunity to see the grounding site up close and hear the guides' stories about the dramatic days of 1981.
Practical information:
- Boat tours depart from Karlskrona.
- Current tours are advertised in the event calendar.
- Pre-booking is usually required.
- For more information and booking, contact: Karlskrona Tourist Centre.
The U137 incident remains a stark reminder of Sweden's position during the Cold War, and how a seemingly isolated incident could have far-reaching international consequences. Visiting the grounding site provides a unique insight into one of the most dramatic episodes in modern Swedish military history.
"In the middle of the Cold War, a Soviet submarine runs aground off Karlskrona and suddenly Sweden finds itself at the centre of events. Prime Minister Thorbjörn Fälldin tries to resolve the conflict and avoid a world war between two nuclear powers while dealing with a volatile foreign minister and a belligerent commander-in-chief. Whiskey on the Rocks is inspired by real events."
Watch the series via various streaming services.
"In the middle of the Cold War, a Soviet submarine runs aground off Karlskrona and suddenly Sweden finds itself at the centre of events. Prime Minister Thorbjörn Fälldin tries to resolve the conflict and avoid a world war between two nuclear powers while dealing with a volatile foreign minister and a belligerent commander-in-chief. Whiskey on the Rocks is inspired by real events."
Watch the series via various streaming services.
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