Chonan Tour

As mentioned previously and as was reported in the news for several weeks, South Korea recently lost one of their warships. The Chonan warship was sunk by a torpedo fired from a North Korean midget sub. The South Koreans devoted a large part of a museum to the ship and as a memorial for the crew and rescuers who gave their lives. The museum is spectacular, full of war stories with first hand accounts and artifacts. The crew on my ship was given a tour hosted by several South Korean Officers.

Upon walking into the museum we were presented with the history of conflicts with North Korea up to the present. Most of the conflicts were decided victories for the South Korean Navy. The surprise attack on the Chonan occurred during a period of escalating tensions with the ship in South Korean territorial waters. The South Koreans are quick to blame the North Koreans since some reports speculate that what occurred was the result of an accident on board the ship. To refute this claim, they found the remains of a North Korean torpedo and put it on prominent display in the museum. Great effort was spent in finding the ship and recovering as much evidence as possible. Another large part of the museum showcased the pictures, mementos and biographies of those who gave their lives. Walking down that hallway was sobering, some lives seemed long and dignified while others were so young.

After the tour in the museum was over we were able to visit the actual ship. The ship itself was also turned into a memorial. The hole in the hull where the torpedo blast impacted is its most prominent feature. From the hole in the middle large enough to split the ship in two halves, waves radiate out in the metal. Wires and decks hang in shreds as testimony to the power of a torpedo. The propellers were actually bent backwards when the ship's forward motion was stalled. This was the first time I had seen the effects of war up close and personal, that is a reality I hope I never have to experience.