SSN-37-1A

The  is a small covert Chinese submarine stranded just off the coast of Point Lookout. It has no inhabitants, and only 1 interior. It will be destroyed if you complete The Velvet Curtain quest, as it must be blown up for one of the objectives.

Background
Covert Submarine SSN-37-1A is a Chinese spy submarine sent to patrol hostile waters surrounding Point Lookout. It sunk before the nuclear phase of the Great War, and it can be found at the Sub Recovery Site. As for remnants of equipment, all main systems seem to be broken due to flooding and years of inactivity. There is no working radio, navigation, or targeting parameters for on board equipment or weapons; However, there is a radio (or radio type piece) that is entirely rusted brown and dead. There is no on-board AI nor navigational software that is any longer accessible. Surprisingly, the electricity still works, and the presence of green goo on the back floor suggests that the sub was (fittingly) nuclear powered. It also apparently has small back up generators in the rear. These generators could also be the main power source for the sub because of the growing number of countries that are adopting small, silent, electric subs that either defend their country inshore, or, in this case, be launched off of a bigger nuclear sub like some American designs for shoreline operations.

Externally there are no signs of torpedo tube hatches and internally no torpedo room, therefore it can only have been fitted with defensive electronical devices such as an EMP weapon. It is highly likely that given the nature of the vessel as a spy submarine, it was never designed to directly engage with enemy forces, merely to monitor them.

Its mission was as follows;

Classified Directives 

Chinese Naval Command

Mission parameters:

Routine Patrol/Observation

Vessel SSN-37-1A is ordered to patrol hostile waters between:

+38 3' 36.00", -76 18' 36.00"

+37 49' 41.61", -76 0' 37.02"

+37 5' 60.00", -76 1' 12.00"

''Variations from patrol are tolerated as required by evasive circumstances. Crew is under strict instructions not to engage enemy if detected. Self-destruct protocol must be initiated in event of imminent capture. Status updates are required at six hour intervals by one-way burst comm on orbital frequency #K17.18.v121.''

It should be noted that this would have been an exceptionally dangerous assignment, as it would have taken the sub within 8 miles of the home port of the Atlantic fleet and the largest naval air field on the east coast.

Inhabitants
There are only two bunks in SSN-37-1A therefore this suggests that the the crew was between 2-4 servicemen. It is likely that the submarine only had a crew of 2.

It is known that there was one surviving Chinese submariner, John Doe (obviously not his real name), he was transferred to Turtledove Detention Camp after his capture. It is noted in his interrogation report that he was "demonstrating extraordinary fortitude for a relatively low-ranking grunt". The fate of the skipper is revealed in the same report "I'm sure this one would have gone the same way as his skipper if the cyanide capsule in his molar hadn't been a dud".

Exterior
Above is a small stranded boat and a Buoy. Below it is a medium sized sub with a hatch on top.

Interior
The submarine for its external size is extremely compact inside. There is only one accessible room, with just two beds available. The ladder leads straight into the roof and a pipe spraying water is also severed in another point but not leaking. There is a silver main frame at the front, and a generator leaking some kind of green goo. The sub has about a foot of irradiated water along the floor.

Notable loot

 * Stealth Boy

Related Quests

 * The Velvet Curtain

Appearances
The SSN-37-1A appears in the Fallout 3 add-on Point Lookout.

Behind the scenes

 * The designation SSN is used by the United States Navy to designate American Nuclear Powered Attack submarines and it is highly unlikely that the Chinese would use the same designation, especially on a reconnaissance sub.
 * The SSN-37-1A has a similar appearance to early model Los Angeles Class Attack Submarines.