There is no doubt as to how important the military is to our region.
There is always an abundance of memories to share from anyone who has ever been touched by military experience.
One in somewhat recent memory is remembered as the “last incident of the Cold War.” This regional tie was the 1988 ramming of USS Yorktown (CG 48) and the U.S. naval destroyer, USS Caron (DD 970), in the Black Sea.
The people of Yorktown had a fondness for their namesake naval ship.
The Ticonderoga-class cruiser was commissioned in 1984, and sponsored by beloved York County resident, Mrs. Mary Mathews. In 1987, Yorktown had the distinguished honor to receive an award for being the Atlantic Fleet’s “Top Gun” in outstanding Naval Gun Fire Support.
In late 1987, Yorktown and Caron deployed to the Mediterranean Sea to take part in U.S., NATO, and multi-national exercises. This was a turbulent time for tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union.
Suspicion ran high between the two nations.
The friction was tested on February 12, 1988 as Yorktown and Caron sailed into the Black Sea on what was an announced innocent passage; exercising their international right of Freedom of Navigation. When the great American warships were passing within 10 miles of the Crimean Peninsula, two Soviet ships sailed up to their side.
“Do not violate state borders of the Soviet Union. I am authorized to strike!” the Soviets transmitted from shore.
The American ships did not reply.
At this time, the United States recognized territorial boundaries that spread only three miles from the coastline. On the other hand, the Soviet Union asserted a 12-mile territorial boundary line.
Sailors rushed to the deck of Yorktown; one having enough time to pull out a video camera. A narrow passage of water remained between Yorktown and the Soviet Burevestnik M-class frigate, Bezzavetnyy. Sailors on opposite sides of the Cold War stood on their decks, staring each other right into each other’s eyes. A patrol boat came alongside Caron as the ships continued to move steadily through the sea.
Without any further warning, Bezzavetnyy moved closer to the much larger Yorktown, ramming into her port side.
“What the hell?! What the hell?!” the American sailors yelled.
The Soviet patrol boat followed suit and rammed Caron. After briefly veering away, Bezzavetnyy turned again towards the mighty cruiser.
“Coming in again!” Yorktown sailors yelled.
The ship shook as Bezzavetnyy battered the sides of Yorktown, but failed in their intention to stop the ship.
Within two hours, Caron and Yorktown made their way out of the Black Sea, with no serious injuries to the crews nor their ships.
The aftermath of this incident was a crisis of words between the two nations; each exchanging commentary while laying the blame on one another. Anonymous Pentagon sources leaked information that the presence of Yorktown and Caron in the Black Sea was not as innocent as it appeared. Caron carried equipment that was used for intelligence gathering. However, historians explain that retaliatory measures taken by the Soviets that day was an overreaction.
USS Yorktown was decommissioned on Dec. 3, 2004 and now remains part of the inactive fleet in Philadelphia. This naval ship which carried the name of our beloved town forever etched her name has being part of the last incident of the Cold War.
As most things in history, the engagement has come full circle. Today, tensions and suspicion still runs high between the United States and Russia.
As former Yorktown officer, Vice Admiral Doug Crowder, a retired Navy veteran, told OregonLive.com in 2015, “They’re making sure that we know that they’re [still] watching us.”
To watch the footage taken during the ramming of Yorktown, click the video below.
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