July 11
1914 - USS K-8 (SS-39) launched at Union Iron Works, San Francisco, CA under subcontract from
Electric Boat Company, Groton, CT; sponsored by Mrs. John W. Lewis, wife of the first
commanding officer.
1918 - PCU O-8 (SS-69) commissioned USS O-8 at Fore River Shipbuilding Company, Quincy, MA;
Lt. Comdr. R.A. Burg commanding.
1943 - USS FLIER (SS-250) launched at the Electric Boat Company, Groton, CT; sponsored by
Mrs. A. S. Pierce.
1944 - USS CONGER (SS-477) keel laid as CONGER at Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery, ME.
1945 - PCU ODAX (SS-484) commissioned USS ODAX (SS-484) at Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery,
ME.
1963 - USS BALAO (SS-285) second decommissioning.
1987 - PCU HELENA (SSN-725) commissioned USS HELENA (SSN-725) at the Electric Boat
Division, General Dynamics Corporation, Groton, CT.
1989 - USS HOUSTON (SSN-713) flooding event.
1990 - USS JACK (SSN-605) decommissioned and struck from the Naval Vessel Register; laid up
at Bremerton Naval Shipyard.
USS GLENARD P. LIPSCOMB (SSN-685) decommissioned and struck from the Naval
Vessel Register.
July 12
1943 - PCU PICUDA (SS-382) launched at Portsmouth Navy Yard, Portsmouth, NH.
1945 - PCU REMORA (SS-487) launched at Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery, ME.
1946 - USS THRESHER (SS-200) was to be used as a target vessel in Operation Crossroads
nuclear weapon testing at Bikini Atoll. But during the required refurbishing, it was
decided that she had deteriorated beyond economical repair and work was stopped.
THRESHER was decommissioned for the final time.
1969 - PCU NARWHAL (SSN-671) commissioned USS NARWHAL (SSN-671) at the Electric Boat
Division, General Dynamics Corporation, Groton, CT.
2002 - The Honorable Gordon R. England, Secretary of the Navy, addressed the employees of
Northrop Grumman Newport News, VA at the keel authentication ceremony for the
newest Virginia Class Submarine, PCU TEXAS (SSN-775). First Lady Laura Bush and Chief
of Naval Operations Adm. Vern Clark, were also in attendance. TEXAS is the second of
the Virginia-class submarines with advanced technologies, increased firepower,
maneuverability and stealth. She was scheduled for delivery to the Navy in 2005.
2004 - the Los Angeles-class submarine USS ALBUQUERQUE (SSN-706) surfaced in the Atlantic
Ocean while participating in Majestic Eagle 2004. Majestic Eagle is a multinational
exercise being conducted off the coast of Morocco. The exercise demonstrates the
combined force capabilities and quick response times of the participating naval, air,
undersea and surface warfare groups. Countries involved in the NATO led exercise
include the United Kingdom, Morocco, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Turkey.
ALBUQUERQUE's participation in Majestic Eagle is part of her scheduled deployment
supporting the Navy's new fleet response plan (FRP) and Summer Pulse '04, the
simultaneous deployment of seven carrier strike groups (CSGs), demonstrating the
ability of the Navy to provide credible combat power across the globe, in five theaters,
with other U.S., allied, and coalition military forces.
2006 - experts at the Naval Historical Center in Washington, D.C., confirmed that a World War II
submarine wreck found in the Gulf of Thailand last year is USS LAGARTO (SS-371).
Underwater archeologists at the center completed their examination of evidence
obtained in June by Navy divers from USS Salvor (ARS 52) and Mobile Diving and Salvage
Unit 1, both based in Pearl Harbor, HI.
July 13
1943 - PCU RATON (SS-270) commissioned USS RATON (SS-270) at Manitowoc Shipbuilding
Company, Manitowoc, WI.
1946 - USS HAKE (SS-256) decommissioned at New London, CT; placed in service as a Naval
Reserve Training Vessel at Philadelphia, PA.
1965 - USS MEDREGAL (SS-480) collided with the Lebanese merchant ship The Rodos in the
South China Sea suffering some damage. The incident took place18 miles south of
Hainan Island. The U.S. Department of Defense said the submarine was on routine
operations but China claimed the incident took place within its territorial waters.
1991 - PCU KENTUCKY (SSBN-737) commissioned USS KENTUCKY (SSBN-737) at the Electric Boat
Division, General Dynamics Corporation, Groton, CT.
1996 - PCU WYOMING (SSBN-742) commissioned USS WYOMING (SSBN-742) at the Electric
Boat Division, General Dynamics Corporation, Groton, CT.
2006 - Cmdr. Todd Massidda relieved Cmdr. Melvin Lee as Commanding Officer, USS ALABAMA
(SSBN-731), in a change of command ceremony held in Deterrent Park at Naval Base
Kitsap Bangor, WA. During Lee’s tenure he was able to lead the crew through three
successful strategic deterrent patrols and conducted pre-deployment training with the
USS Nimitz (CVN-68) Strike Group for submarine defense. Cmdr. Lee and his crew
became a part of the nation’s history in October, 2005 when they completed the final
strategic offload and formally decommissioned the Navy’s Trident I C4 ballistic missile
system. They closed the final chapter perfectly on the weapon system which helped the
United States win the Cold War. Lee received a Meritorious Service Award, which he
attributed to the excellence of Alabama’s crew.
July 14
1920 - General Order 541 of July 14, 1920 introduced ship letter designators (SS meaning
submarine) and hull numbers. All submarines commissioned and decommissioned prior
to this had no assigned hull number or SS designator during their lifetimes. This
instruction was modified by SecNav Instruction 5030.1E of August 14, 1968. The SS is not
an acronym. The Navy adoped a double letter ship designation system as opposed to the
European system which uses single letters.
1923 - PCU S-13 (SS-118) commissioned USS S-13 (SS-118) at Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery,
ME; Lt. Wilder D. Baker commanding.
1941 - PCU HERRING (SS-233) keel laid as HERRING at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, ME.
1943 - PCU PLAICE (SS-390) keel laid as PLAICE at Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery, ME.
PCU POMFRET (SS-391) keel laid as POMFRET at Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery, ME.
PCU STERLET (SS-392) keel laid as STERLET at Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery, ME.
2006 - USS DOLPHIN (AGSS-555), the Navy’s only diesel-electric submarine, made homeport at
Naval Space and Warfare Systems Command in San Diego, CA after exercises that were
the first for DOLPHIN following shipyard availability.
July 15
1920 - PCU S-22 (SS-127) launched at Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, Quincy, MA;
sponsored by Mrs. Mark C. Bowman.
1942 - PCU SUNFISH (SS-281) commissioned USS SUNFISH (SS-281) at Mare Island Navy Yard,
Vallejo, CA.
1943 - PCU BLOWER (SS-325) keel laid as BLOWER at Electric Boat Company, Groton, CT.
1953 - USS CAVALLA (SS-244) third commission as USS CAVALLA (SSK-244).
1961 - PCU JOHN MARSHALL (SSBN-611) launched at Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock
Company, Newport News, VA.
1968 - USS HALIBUT (SSGN-587) deployed from Pearl Harbor, HI to look for the sunken Soviet
Golf II submarine that had, so far, not been found.
1995 - PCU WYOMING (SSBN-742) launched at the Electric Boat Division, General Dynamics
Corporation, Groton, CT.
2003 - USS ASHEVILLE (SSN-758) arrived at Naval Submarine Base Point Loma, CA, after
completing post-overhaul sea trials. ASHEVILLE changed homeports to San Diego
following a two-year overhaul at Naval Submarine Base Bangor, WA.
July 16
1923 - USS T-2 (ex-AA-2) (later SF-2) (SS-60) decommissioned at Sub Base Hampton Roads, VA.;
laid up in the Reserve Fleet at Norfolk, VA, later moved to Philadelphia, PA.
PCU S-37 (SS-142) commissioned USS S-37 (SS-142) at Union Iron Works, San Francisco,
CA.
1943 - PCU APOGON (SS-308) commissioned USS APOGON (SS-308) at Portsmouth Navy Yard,
Kittery, ME.
1944 - PCU BULLHEAD (SS-332) launched at the Electric Boat Company, Groton, CT.
PCU LIZARDFISH (SS-373) launched at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company, Manitowoc,
WI.
1945 - USS R-16 (SS-93) second decommissioning at Philadelphia Navy Yard, Philadelphia, PA.
USS S-20 (SS-125) decommissioned at Philadelphia, PA.
PCU POMPANO (SS-491) keel laid as POMPANO by Portsmouth Navy Yard, Portsmouth,
NH; later cancelled.
1959 - PCU PERMIT (SSN-594) keel laid as PERMIT at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, CA.
1969 - Ex-MANTA (SS/AGSS-299) was designated a target ship1949-1953; sunk as an aircraft
target this date off Norfolk, VA.
1994 - PCU MAINE (SSBN-741) launched at the Electric Boat Division, General Dynamics
Corporation, Groton, CT.
July 17
1920 - Ex-A-2 (ex-ADDER) (SS-3) (Submarine Torpedo Boat No. 3) assigned the alphanumeric
hull number SS-3.
USS A-3 (ex-GRAMPUS) (SS-4) (Submarine Torpedo Boat No. 4) assigned the
alphanumeric hull number SS-4.
Ex-A-4 (ex-MOCCASIN) (SS-5) (Submarine Torpedo Boat No. 5) assigned the
alphanumeric hull number SS-5.
USS A-5 (ex-PIKE) (SS-6) (Submarine Torpedo Boat No. 6) assigned the alphanumeric hull
number SS-6.
USS A-6 (ex-PORPOISE) (SS-7) (Submarine Torpedo Boat No. 7) assigned the
alphanumeric hull number SS-7.
USS A-7 (ex-SHARK) (SS-8) (Submarine Torpedo Boat No. 8) assigned the alphanumeric
hull number SS-8.
USS E-1 (ex-SKIPJACK) (SS-24) assigned the alphanumeric hull number SS-24.
USS K-5 (SS-36) assigned the alphanumeric hull number SS-36.
USS L-8 (SS-48) assigned the alphanumeric hull number SS-48.
USS S-1 (SS-105) assigned the alphanumeric hull number SS-105.
USS S-2 (SS-106) assigned the alphanumeric hull number SS-106.
USS S-3 (SS-107) assigned the alphanumeric hull number SS-107.
USS S-4 (SS-109) assigned the alphanumeric hull number SS-109.
USS S-5 (SS-110) assigned the alphanumeric hull number SS-110.
USS S-6 (SS-111) assigned the alphanumeric hull number SS-111.
1924 - PCU V-1 (SF-4) (later BARRACUDA) (SS-163) launched at Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery,
ME; sponsored by Mrs. Cornelia Wolcott Snyder, wife of Captain Snyder.
1935 - PCU PLUNGER (SS-179) keel laid as PLUNGER at Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery, ME.
1936 - USS S-10 (SS-115) decommissioned and struck from the Naval Vessel Register at
Philadelphia Navy Yard, Philadelphia, PA.
1939 - PCU SPEARFISH (SS-190) commissioned USS SPEARFISH (SS-190) at Electric Boat
Company, Groton, CT.
1942 - PCU HAKE (SS-256) launched at the Electric Boat Company, Groton, CT.
1944 - PCU CAIMAN (SS-323) commissioned USS CAIMAN (SS-323) at the Electric Boat
Company, Groton, CT.
PCU SEA OWL (SS-405) commissioned USS SEA OWL (SS-405) at Portsmouth Navy Yard,
Kittery, ME.
1953 - PCU T-1 (SST-1) (later MACKEREL) launched at the Electric Boat Division, General
Dynamics Corporation, Groton, CT.
1958 - USS NAUTILUS (SSN-571) arrived at Mare Island Naval Shipyard awaiting better ice
conditions so that she could begin operation "Sunshine", her history making Polar
transit.
1964 - PCU ULYSSES S. GRANT (SSBN-631) commissioned USS ULYSSES S. GRANT (SSBN-631) at
the Electric Boat Division, General Dynamics Corporation, Groton, CT.
1993 - PCU RHODE ISLAND (SSBN-740) launched at the Electric Boat Division, General Dynamics
Corporation, Groton, CT.
1996 - USS BALTIMORE (SSN-704) was part of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-
73) Battle Group, which completed their scheduled six-month deployment in the
Mediterranean. The George Washington returned to homeport July 23rd after sustained
operations in support of the NATO-led peacekeeping in Bosnia and UN sanctions against
Iraq in the Arabian Gulf.
July 18
1924 - USS S-33 (SS-138) collided with USS S-35 (SS-140) in the Pacific Ocean.
1945 - USS HALIBUT (SS-232) decommissioned at Portsmouth Navy Yard, Portsmouth, NH, after
damage from depth charge attack. She was struck from the Naval Vessel Register in
1946.
1981 - PCU DALLAS (SSN-700) commissioned USS DALLAS (SSN-700) at the Electric Boat
Division, General Dynamics Corporation, Groton, CT.
July 19
1939 - PCU TUNA (SS-203) keel laid as TUNA at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA.
1946 - Ex-SARGO (SS-188) struck from the Naval Vessel Register.
Ex-SAURY (SS-189) struck from the Naval Vessel Register.
Ex-SPEARFISH (SS-190) struck from the Naval Vessel Register.
1958 - USS PIPER (SS-409) ran aground on a sandbar off Provincetown, MA but was pulled free
after seven hours with minor damage.
PCU BARBEL (SS-580) launched at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, NH.
1979 - Ex-TIRU (SS-416) sunk as a target off Norfolk, VA.
1997 - PCU SEAWOLF (SSN-21) commissioned USS SEAWOLF (SSN-21) at the Electric Boat
Division, General Dynamics Corporation, Groton, CT, homeport Groton, CT. She was
outfitted with the S6W reactor plant.
1998 - USS PASADENA (SSN-752), operating in the Pacific Ocean, was participating in the joint
exercise RIMPAC '98.
USS COLUMBUS (SSN-762) and the Korean submarine ROKS Lee Jong Moo (SS 66)
conducted exercises off the coast of Hawaii. The U.S and Korean navies were
participating in the joint Exercise RIMPAC '98. RIMPAC '98 was the largest multi-national
maritime exercise in the Pacific.
2002 - Ex-WILLIAM H. BATES (SSN-680) disposition complete by Nuclear Powered Ship and
Submarine Recycling Program (NPSSRP) at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, WA.
Ex-L. MENDEL RIVERS (SSN-686) disposition complete by Nuclear Powered Ship and
Submarine Recycling Program (NPSSRP) at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, WA.
2004 - the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS DALLAS (SSN-700) departed Souda Harbor,
Crete, Greece, following a brief port visit. DALLAS was homported in Groton, CT and on a
routine deployment. Commissioned in 1981, DALLAS is the first Los Angeles class
submarine to have a dry deck shelter. Dry Deck Shelters provide specially configured
nuclear powered submarines with a greater capability of deploying Special Operations
Forces (SOF). DDSs can transport, deploy, and recover SOF teams from Combat Rubber
Raiding Crafts (CRRCs) or SEAL Delivery Vehicles (SDVs), all the while remaining
submerged. In an era of littoral warfare, this capability substantially enhances the
combat flexibility of both the submarine and SOF personnel.
July 20
1942 - PCU RAY (SS-271) keel laid as RAY at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company, Manitowoc, WI.
PCU SCAMP (SS-277) launched at Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery, ME; sponsored by Miss
Katherine Eugenia McKee.
PCU SCORPION (SS-278) launched at Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery, ME; sponsored by
Miss Elizabeth T. Monagle.
1944 - PCU TIGRONE (SS-419) launched at Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery, ME; sponsored by
Mrs. Charles F. Grisham.
1945 - Ex-S-1 (SS-105) sold for scrapping at Durban, Natal, Union of South Africa.
1946 - USS POGY (SS-266) decommissioned at New London, CT; laid up in the Atlantic Reserve
Fleet.
USS CREVALLE (SS-291) decommissioned at New London, CT.
1960 - while submerged off the coast of Cape Canaveral, Florida, USS GEORGE WASHINGTON
(SSBN-598) successfully fired two Polaris A-1 Missiles with a range of 1,200 miles each.
That year, she departed Charleston, SC on the first operational strategic patrol with the
Polaris Missile system.
1980 - USS GURNARD (SSN-662) spilled 30 gallons of water containing radioactive material into
San Diego Bay, CA. A Navy spokesman said the leak occurred when a crewman of
GURNARD accidentally opened a valve allowing the water to escape. The spokesman
said a water sample was taken and there was no increase in the general background
radioactive level in the area where the spill happened.
1985 - PCU KEY WEST (SSN-722) launched at Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Company,
Newport News, VA.
2005 - sailors assigned to the Ohio-class fleet ballistic missile submarine USS PENNSYLVANIA
(SSBN-735) spelled out the word “Fifty” on her missile deck as they returned to Naval
Base Kitsap, Navy Region Northwest, WA. PENNSYLVANIA had just completed her 50th
Strategic Deterrent Patrol at sea, a significant moment in history for the submarine.
July 21
1919 - PCU R-8 (SS-85) commissioned USS R-8 at Boston Navy Yard, Boston, MA; Lt. Comdr.
Philip C. Ransom commanding.
PCU R-11 (SS-88) launched at Fore River Shipbuilding Company, Quincy, MA; sponsored
by Miss Dorothy Batchelder.
1941 - PCU GUNNEL (SS-253) keel laid as GUNNEL at the Electric Boat Company, Groton, CT.
1942 - PCU COD (SS-224) keel laid as COD at the Electric Boat Company, Groton, CT.
1955 - PCU SEAWOLF (SSN-575) launched at the Electric Boat Division, General Dynamics
Corporation, Groton, CT.
PCU SKATE (SSN-578) keel laid as SKATE at the Electric Boat Division, General Dynamics
Corporation, Groton, CT.
1957 - USS GUDGEON (SS-567) made port at "Spy Sub Central", Yokosuka, Japan. This was her
last port call on a fairly regular WestPac deployment to Soviet waters and covert
missions.
1961 - USS ANGLER (SS-240) was slightly damaged in a minor collision with the freighter Export
Adventurer during maneuvers with a destroyer 15 miles south of Block Island, RI.
1966 - PCU WILL ROGERS (SSBN-659) launched at the Electric Boat Division, General Dynamics
Corporation, Groton, CT.
1976 - Ex-CHOPPER (SS/AGSS-342) sunk off Florida coast while being rigged as a tethered
underwater target.
1984 - PCU HYMAN G. RICKOVER (SSN-709) commissioned USS HYMAN G. RICKOVER (SSN-709)
at the Electric Boat Division, General Dynamics Corporation, Groton, CT.
1989 - USS GLENARD P. LIPSCOMB (SSN-685) deck accident in the Atlantic.
2006 - Capt. Bill Hanson and Master Chief Electronics Technician (SS) Gaylord Humphries made
their log entries into the Submarine Force history books when they received Bronze Star
medals today at the Naval Submarine Base New London, CT Chapel on the Thames.
Former Commander, Submarine Group 2 Chief of Staff Capt. Bill Hanson earned the
award for his service as the Chief of Staff of the Joint Headquarters Transition Team,
Multinational Security Transitional Command in Iraq from Nov. 9, 2005 to May 6, 2006.
“His team is greatly responsible of transition of the security of Iraq from the Joint
Coalition Forces to Iraqi Security Forces,” said Rear Adm. Mark W. Kenny. While in
country, Hanson guided the Joint Headquarters Transition Team through a very rigorous
transitional period to develop Iraqi Joint Headquarters capacity to effectively command
and control the Iraqi Armed Forces, a force totaling approximately 160,000 military
personnel. His superb and tireless management of the Joint Headquarters Transition
Team’s daily engagement with the Iraqi Joint Headquarters, the Ministry of Defense and
numerous senior coalition commands play a significant role in maximizing the team’s
overall effectiveness. “For 27 years, my heroes were the submarine sailors that protect
this country each and every day, but in the last six months, I have some new heroes and
they are the men and women working and fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan to ensure our
freedoms, day in and day out,” said Hanson. Hanson, a native of Warren, Pa., will be
assuming command of the NROTC unit at Pennsylvania State University. Humphries,
who was serving as the career counselor for Submarine Group 2, earned his Bronze Star
for his work as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Commanding General, Task Force 134
at Camp Victory in Iraq from Aug. 30, 2005 to March 6, 2006. During his tour, Humphries
directly contributed to the tactical, operational and strategic success of an extremely
sensitive political military mission. He planned, coordinated and played a major role in
executing more than 300 missions throughout Iraq for the Commander, Task Force 134.
“I can’t stress enough the importance and great job the soldiers, sailors, airmen and
Marines are doing over there. They truly are doing a great job and they truly are
heroes,” said Humphries
July 22
1901 - PCU ADDER (later A-2) (SS-3) launched at Crescent Shipyards, Elizabethport, NJ;
sponsored by Mrs. Jane S. Wainwright, wife of Rear Admiral Richard Wainwright.
1936 - PCU SKIPJACK (SS-184) keel laid as SKIPJACK at Electric Boat Company, Groton, CT.
1939 - PCU SWORDFISH (SS-193) commissioned USS SWORDFISH (SS-193) at Mare Island Navy
Yard, Vallejo, CA; Lt. Chester C. Smith commanding.
1942 - PCU BLACKFISH (SS-221) commissioned USS BLACKFISH (SS-221) at Electric Boat
Company, Groton, CT; Commander R. W. Johnson commanding.
PCU DACE (SS-247) keel laid as DACE at Electric Boat Company, Groton, CT.
1944 - PCU MERO (SS-378) keel laid as MERO at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company, Manitowoc,
WI.
1946 - PCU HALFBEAK (SS-352) commissioned USS HALFBEAK (SS-352) at Electric Boat
Company, Groton, CT.
1953 - USS RASHER (SS-269) recommissioned at Philadelphia Navy Yard after extensive hull and
interior alterations for duty as a radar picket submarine; Lt. Comdr. R. W. Stecher in
command.
1966 - PCU FLASHER (SSN-613) commissioned USS FLASHER (SSN-613) at the Electric Boat
Division, General Dynamics Corporation, Groton, CT.
1977 - USS HENRY L. STIMSON (SSBN-655) fouled the fishing nets of a Spanish trawler while
undergoing refresher training in the Rota, Spain area.
1978 - PCU BREMERTON (SSN-698) launched at the Electric Boat Division, General Dynamics
Corporation, Groton, CT.
1992 - USS JOHN MARSHALL (SSBN-611) decommissioned and simultaneously struck from the
Naval Vessel Register.
1994 - USS SILVERSIDES (SSN-679) decommissioned and simultaneously struck from the Naval
Vessel Register.
2005 - Capt. James G. Foggo relieved Capt. Robert M. Hennegan, who had been dual hatted as
both Commodore of Submarine Squadrons 6 and 8. Foggo commanded USS OKLAHOMA
CITY (SSN-723) from November 1998 to June 2001, during which she was awarded the
Submarine Squadron 8 Battle Efficiency “E”. He previously served on the Joint Staff (J5)
as the division chief for Western Europe and the Balkans. Submarine Squadron 6 is
comprised of four nuclear-powered fast-attack submarines.
Share with your friends: |