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USS Shark (SSN-591)
Encyclopedia
USS Shark (SSN-591), a Skipjack-class
submarine
, was the seventh ship of the United States Navy
to be named for the shark
, a large predatory fish with a full cartilaginous skeleton, a streamlined body plan, dermal denticles covering the body to protect from parasites, and rows of replaceable teeth in the mouth.
Her keel was laid down on 24 February 1958 by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia
. She was launched
on 16 March 1960 sponsored by Mrs. Louis Shane, Jr., and commissioned
on 9 February 1961 with Lieutenant Commander John F. Fagan, Jr., in command.
After preliminary testing and fitting out, Shark sailed to the Caribbean Sea
in May for her shakedown cruise. The submarine
returned to her building yard for post-shakedown repairs and final acceptance by the Navy.
and duty with the Sixth Fleet on 12 August. This was the first such deployment for a nuclear submarine, and Shark was deployed until 14 November 1961. On 29 January 1962, the submarine steamed to Bermuda
in the British West Indies
, for two weeks of type training. She was next deployed to the North Atlantic from 15 March to 23 May. During this period, Shark paid a one-week visit to Portsmouth
, England
. On 25 August, she departed for another two months in the North Atlantic. On her return trip to Norfolk, Virginia
, she underwent an availability period that lasted until 7 January 1963.
Shark participated in SUBFALLEX in the North Atlantic from 7 August to 24 October, with a week spent in Faslane, Scotland
. The remainder of 1963 was either spent in port, in local operations, or conducting antisubmarine warfare exercises in the Caribbean.
On 22 March 1964, Shark departed Norfolk to participate in SUBSPRINGEX and returned on 21 May. On 25 June 1964, she sailed to Charleston, South Carolina
, for her first shipyard overhaul which lasted until 7 June 1965. On 7 April 1965, at the shipyard, Shark was presented the Navy Unit Commendation
for meritorious service from 5 April to 9 May 1964, a period in which she "achieved results of great value and importance to the United States Navy in the field of antisubmarine warfare capabilities."
The submarine put to sea for sea trials on 7 June. One month later, she suffered damage to the forward oxygen system which necessitated additional repairs at Charleston, South Carolina
. On 9 October, she passed her sea trials and sailed to Key West, Florida
, for two weeks of torpedo tube tests and a wire-guided torpedo development project.
Shark returned to Norfolk on 25 October 1965 and conducted type training, individual ship exercises, and antisubmarine warfare exercises until 8 January 1966. The boat then operated in the Caribbean until 7 February. She was there again for further trials in July and October.
Shark stood out of Norfolk on 7 January 1967 for the North Atlantic and conducted special operations until 24 March. Two weeks of this period were spent at Holy Loch
, Scotland
. On 12 April, she was presented her second Navy Unit Commendation
for operations in 1966 in which "Shark contributed significantly to the knowledge of the United States Navy
in the field of antisubmarine warfare." Shark departed Norfolk on 16 May for Halifax, Nova Scotia
, which was the first visit of a nuclear ship to a Canadian
port. The submarine operated with Royal Canadian Navy
ASW units before returning to her home port.
On 11 June 1967, Shark prepared for her first refueling period at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard
and did not put to sea again until March 1968. The remainder of 1968 and 1969 was spent performing local or special operations.
She would take part in another deployment with the Atlantic Fleet in 1974 before returning to Pascagoula for a reactor refueling in August. This refueling and overhaul would take more than two years.
When the Shark returned to the ocean, her homeport was changed to New London, Conn. In 1978, the Shark would have a busy schedule, taking part in UNITAS exercises with a number of South American navies and deploying to Mediterranean as part of the Sixth Fleet. In 1980, the Shark took part in exercises with the Atlantic Fleet and the Royal Canadian Navy.
on 15 September 1990. She entered the Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program in Bremerton, Washington
, on 1 October 1995 and on 28 June 1996 ceased to exist.
Skipjack class submarine
The Skipjack class was a class of United States Navy nuclear submarines. This class was named after its lead ship, the . This new class introduced the teardrop hull and the S5W reactor to U.S. nuclear submarines. The Skipjacks were the fastest U.S...
submarine
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
, was the seventh ship of the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
to be named for the shark
Shark
Sharks are a type of fish with a full cartilaginous skeleton and a highly streamlined body. The earliest known sharks date from more than 420 million years ago....
, a large predatory fish with a full cartilaginous skeleton, a streamlined body plan, dermal denticles covering the body to protect from parasites, and rows of replaceable teeth in the mouth.
Her keel was laid down on 24 February 1958 by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia
Newport News, Virginia
Newport News is an independent city located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia. It is at the southeastern end of the Virginia Peninsula, on the north shore of the James River extending southeast from Skiffe's Creek along many miles of waterfront to the river's mouth at Newport News...
. She was launched
Ship naming and launching
The ceremonies involved in naming and launching naval ships are based in traditions thousands of years old.-Methods of launch:There are three principal methods of conveying a new ship from building site to water, only two of which are called "launching." The oldest, most familiar, and most widely...
on 16 March 1960 sponsored by Mrs. Louis Shane, Jr., and commissioned
Ship commissioning
Ship commissioning is the act or ceremony of placing a ship in active service, and may be regarded as a particular application of the general concepts and practices of project commissioning. The term is most commonly applied to the placing of a warship in active duty with its country's military...
on 9 February 1961 with Lieutenant Commander John F. Fagan, Jr., in command.
After preliminary testing and fitting out, Shark sailed to the Caribbean Sea
Caribbean Sea
The Caribbean Sea is a sea of the Atlantic Ocean located in the tropics of the Western hemisphere. It is bounded by Mexico and Central America to the west and southwest, to the north by the Greater Antilles, and to the east by the Lesser Antilles....
in May for her shakedown cruise. The submarine
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
returned to her building yard for post-shakedown repairs and final acceptance by the Navy.
1960s
Shark sailed for the Mediterranean SeaMediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...
and duty with the Sixth Fleet on 12 August. This was the first such deployment for a nuclear submarine, and Shark was deployed until 14 November 1961. On 29 January 1962, the submarine steamed to Bermuda
Bermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
in the British West Indies
British West Indies
The British West Indies was a term used to describe the islands in and around the Caribbean that were part of the British Empire The term was sometimes used to include British Honduras and British Guiana, even though these territories are not geographically part of the Caribbean...
, for two weeks of type training. She was next deployed to the North Atlantic from 15 March to 23 May. During this period, Shark paid a one-week visit to Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. On 25 August, she departed for another two months in the North Atlantic. On her return trip to Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
, she underwent an availability period that lasted until 7 January 1963.
Shark participated in SUBFALLEX in the North Atlantic from 7 August to 24 October, with a week spent in Faslane, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. The remainder of 1963 was either spent in port, in local operations, or conducting antisubmarine warfare exercises in the Caribbean.
On 22 March 1964, Shark departed Norfolk to participate in SUBSPRINGEX and returned on 21 May. On 25 June 1964, she sailed to Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
, for her first shipyard overhaul which lasted until 7 June 1965. On 7 April 1965, at the shipyard, Shark was presented the Navy Unit Commendation
Navy Unit Commendation
The Navy Unit Commendation of the United States Navy is an award that was established by order of the Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal on 18 December 1944...
for meritorious service from 5 April to 9 May 1964, a period in which she "achieved results of great value and importance to the United States Navy in the field of antisubmarine warfare capabilities."
The submarine put to sea for sea trials on 7 June. One month later, she suffered damage to the forward oxygen system which necessitated additional repairs at Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
. On 9 October, she passed her sea trials and sailed to Key West, Florida
Key West, Florida
Key West is a city in Monroe County, Florida, United States. The city encompasses the island of Key West, the part of Stock Island north of U.S. 1 , Sigsbee Park , Fleming Key , and Sunset Key...
, for two weeks of torpedo tube tests and a wire-guided torpedo development project.
Shark returned to Norfolk on 25 October 1965 and conducted type training, individual ship exercises, and antisubmarine warfare exercises until 8 January 1966. The boat then operated in the Caribbean until 7 February. She was there again for further trials in July and October.
Shark stood out of Norfolk on 7 January 1967 for the North Atlantic and conducted special operations until 24 March. Two weeks of this period were spent at Holy Loch
Holy Loch
The Holy Loch is a sea loch in Argyll and Bute, Scotland.Robertson's Yard at Sandbank, a village on the loch, was a major wooden boat building company in the late 19th and early 20th centuries....
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. On 12 April, she was presented her second Navy Unit Commendation
Navy Unit Commendation
The Navy Unit Commendation of the United States Navy is an award that was established by order of the Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal on 18 December 1944...
for operations in 1966 in which "Shark contributed significantly to the knowledge of the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
in the field of antisubmarine warfare." Shark departed Norfolk on 16 May for Halifax, Nova Scotia
City of Halifax
Halifax is a city in Canada, which was the capital of the province of Nova Scotia and shire town of Halifax County. It was the largest city in Atlantic Canada until it was amalgamated into Halifax Regional Municipality in 1996...
, which was the first visit of a nuclear ship to a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
port. The submarine operated with Royal Canadian Navy
Royal Canadian Navy
The history of the Royal Canadian Navy goes back to 1910, when the naval force was created as the Naval Service of Canada and renamed a year later by King George V. The Royal Canadian Navy is one of the three environmental commands of the Canadian Forces...
ASW units before returning to her home port.
On 11 June 1967, Shark prepared for her first refueling period at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard
Norfolk Naval Shipyard
The Norfolk Naval Shipyard, often called the Norfolk Navy Yard and abbreviated as NNSY, is a U.S. Navy facility in Portsmouth, Virginia, for building, remodeling, and repairing the Navy's ships. It's the oldest and largest industrial facility that belongs to the U.S. Navy as well as the most...
and did not put to sea again until March 1968. The remainder of 1968 and 1969 was spent performing local or special operations.
1970s
Shark was in drydock at Norfolk from 1 January 1970 to 9 August 1971. The remainder of the year and 1972 was spent in refresher training and undergoing various trials along the East Coast, with the exception of a deployment to the Sixth Fleet from 31 May to 19 November 1972.- History from 1972 to 1986 needed.
She would take part in another deployment with the Atlantic Fleet in 1974 before returning to Pascagoula for a reactor refueling in August. This refueling and overhaul would take more than two years.
When the Shark returned to the ocean, her homeport was changed to New London, Conn. In 1978, the Shark would have a busy schedule, taking part in UNITAS exercises with a number of South American navies and deploying to Mediterranean as part of the Sixth Fleet. In 1980, the Shark took part in exercises with the Atlantic Fleet and the Royal Canadian Navy.
Decommissioning
Shark was deactivated, in commission, and formally decommissioned and stricken from the Naval Vessel RegisterNaval Vessel Register
The Naval Vessel Register is the official inventory of ships and service craft in custody of or titled by the United States Navy. It contains information on ships and service craft that make up the official inventory of the Navy from the time a vessel is authorized through its life cycle and...
on 15 September 1990. She entered the Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program in Bremerton, Washington
Bremerton, Washington
Bremerton is a city in Kitsap County, Washington, United States. The population was 38,790 at the 2011 State Estimate, making it the largest city on the Olympic Peninsula. Bremerton is home to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and the Bremerton Annex of Naval Base Kitsap...
, on 1 October 1995 and on 28 June 1996 ceased to exist.