The Pueblo Incident

A few days ago at work a song came on the radio, my work buddy Tim asked me if I knew the words to this particular song. After listening to the tune for a few moments I knew I had heard the song before but admitted not knowing the words. The song was performed by the one hit wonder "Blues Image"

An international incident 42 years ago remains shrouded in mystery.

On the bitterly cold morning of Jan. 23, 1968, an American intelligence vessel, USS Pueblo, was operating in international waters off the coast of North Korea. It was surrounded by four North Korean patrol boats, with two MiG aircraft flying overhead. The boats ordered the Pueblo to stop and let the North Koreans board. The order was refused. The Pueblo headed further out to sea. The North Korean boats immediately opened fire. Armed with only a 50-caliber gun secured from the freezing temperatures by a tarp, the Pueblo was unable to fight back.

With more North Korean boats appearing on radar and heading its way, the Pueblo had no choice but surrender -- the first U.S. Navy ship since 1807 to be captured by a foreign power.

One Pueblo crew member was killed in the attack; the remaining 82 spent 11 months in a prison camp before being released. The Pueblo remains in North Korea.

The Pueblo was immortalized in song; 'Ride, Captain Ride' and is played to this day on radio stations across the USA, yet few Americans realize the true meaning of the popular 70's song.

Some people think the song was written in response to the "Pueblo Incident"

Listen to the song