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Salient. Official Newspaper of Victoria University of Wellington Students Association. Vol 41 No. 1. February 27 1978
The Pintado
The Pintado
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The USS Pintado enters Waitemata Harbour. Note the height of the helicopters and the yacht immediately in front of the submarine.
The Pintado is one of a fleet of 37 submarines in the Sturgeon class. These submarines, soon due to become obsolete when the new Trident class comes into operation in the near future, are used mainly to hunt down 'enemy' submarines, hence their designation as 'Hunter-killer'.
The Sturgeon class has an interesting history. Shortly after construction one sank in its Californian harbour while being fitted out, an accident Congress later deemed totally avoidable. There are rumours that another of these subs has also suffered a similar fate.