Hello -

I enjoyed your site on the Atule/Pacocha, and have a special connection to it.  When I met my wife in 1993, she was the widow of LT Luis Roca Sara, a crewmember who perished on the Pacocha on Aug 26, 1988.  Luis, or "Lucho," as they called him, left a 45-day-old little girl, who is now my step-daughter.  I was disappointed to note that the AP report on your website did not refer to his death at all.

I have some photos of the small Pacocha memorial set up on the Peruvian Naval base in Callao.  I would be happy to forward them for your collection, if you like.

The Peruvian Navy has a small submarine museum on the base in Callo, including some pieces of the Pacocha that were salvaged when she was eventually raised. 

I am very proud of the young men who served on Pacocha (not to mention my own countrymen when she was in our service).  I feel a debt of honor to those whose lives were taken by this tragic accident.  I know Lucho Roca would be very proud of his daughter, who is now 16 years old.

I think my wife may be able to relate some oral history you can use on your site.  Her husband died trying to do damage control to save the boat, and was overcome by fumes from the ruptured batteries.  The official cause of death was drowning, and he was recovered about a month after the accident.  He had been married about a year, and they had just had their first baby.  I'm sure there are other stories to tell, from the other crewmen, though we are not in touch with them (we do have some connection to the Peruvian Navy, but Lucho's classmates are now 0-6 Captains or have left the service.  There aren't many left.).

Once again, thank you very much for keeping this memory, for both the U.S. and Peruvian sailors who sailed on her.

Hugh Nelson, Former LT, USNR