Mercury 9 Capsule Recovery
by Karl Bonn
I found a USS Fletcher cancelled envelope from Project Mercury and am sending it to you as the Fletcher Historian. I was a Radioman at that time and was on the Bridge. The Project Mercury capsule had splashed down but was not in the correct quadrant. The Fletcher was proceeding to the capsule at flank speed and we were doing in excess of 35 knots (the Fletcher was always the fastest of her class). The Captain had directed the engineer to tie down the safeties and try to increase speed even more (the engineer was not too happy with that). A voice communication from the Carrier group requested us to stand down. The Captain replied that we had the capsule in sight, were proceeding at flank speed and would arrive shortly. Again, the Carrier Group responded and ordered us to immediately stand down. We had to stand down and watch helplessly as the Carrier Group arrived at the capsule (an hour later) and picked up the astronaut. I remember the Captain was absolutely livid. Of course with the Flag on board, and all the reporters on board the carrier, the Fletcher just could not be allowed to arrive first.
Karl Bonn
Lakebay, WA
December 2, 2006
Webmaster note - Mercury-Atlas 9 capsule , Faith 7, with astronaut Gordon Cooper on board was launched on May 15, 1963 and the recovery took place near Midway Island the next day. The carrier was the USS Kearsarge CVS-33. Hi-res photo Wikipedia
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