USS Canopus (AS-34)

Last updated

USS Canopus.jpg
USS Canopus (AS-34)
History
Flag of the United States.svgUnited States
NameCanopus
Namesake Canopus
Builder Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Mississippi
Laid down2 March 1964
Launched12 February 1965
Acquired25 October 1965
Commissioned4 November 1965
Decommissioned7 October 1994
Stricken3 May 1995
Identification IMO number:  8628353
FateDisposed at Able Shipyard, Teesside, UK, 2010
General characteristics
Class and type Simon Lake-class submarine tender
Displacement12,686 long tons (12,890  t)
Length644 ft (196 m)
Beam85 ft (26 m)
Draft30 ft (9.1 m)
Propulsion2 boilers, steam turbine, single shaft
Speed20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Complement1,420
Armament4 × 3"/50 caliber gun mounts

USS Canopus (AS-34) was a Simon Lake-class submarine tender of the United States Navy, operational from 1965 to 1994. The vessel was used to repair and refit submarine-launched Polaris nuclear-armed ballistic missiles and the submarines that deployed with them. The vessel primarily served US naval bases on the US Atlantic Coast and in Europe. In 1969, the ship was overhauled to maintain the new Poseidon Missile Systems. Taken out of service in 1995, the US Navy's intent to have the ship broken up for scrap in the United Kingdom was controversial. By 2010 demolition had been completed.

Contents

Construction

Canopus's keel was laid on 2 March 1964 and she was launched on 12 February 1965, at Ingalls Shipbuilding Corporation in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Canopus was completed and delivered to the Navy in record breaking time on 25 October 1965.

Canopus joined Submarine Squadron 18 at Charleston and was commissioned on 4 November 1965. After a short outfitting period, Canopus sailed for the Caribbean on 7 January 1966. Canopus visited Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, for shakedown training. She returned to Charleston Naval Shipyard on 24 February for the usual post-shakedown work.

In mid-April 1966, Canopus completed her acceptance trials and upon final loading and outfitting deployed to the Cooper River FBM Replenishment Site on 24 June. Canopus started refitting submarines of Squadron 18.

Service history

1960s

On 24 September 1966, Canopus deployed from Charleston, South Carolina, arriving in Rota, Spain, on 10 October. Canopus relieved Holland and reported to the Commander of Submarine Squadron 16 for duty. While at Rota, Canopus accomplished more Polaris refits than any other submarine tender in a comparable amount of time.

On 20 April 1969, Canopus was relieved by Holland and sailed for Bremerton, Washington, via the Panama Canal. In Bremerton, Canopus was extensively overhauled and thereby gained the title of the first submarine tender in the United States Navy capable of refitting and maintaining a submarine with the Poseidon Missile System.

1970s

After completion of this overhaul, Canopus sailed for Holy Loch, Scotland, via the Panama Canal. In May 1970, she relieved Simon Lake at Holy Loch. She reported to the Commander of Submarine Squadron 14.

On 29 November 1970, a fire broke out [1] in the CPO baggage room, [2] killing three and injuring ten. The fatalities (all from smoke inhalation) were two prisoners, and the guard who had freed them from the brig.

Canopus remained in Holy Loch until November 1975. During this time, Canopus was instrumental in establishing several new maintenance concepts while completing, on schedule, every submarine refit during the 67 months at Holy Loch. During the last year at Holy Loch, Canopus received numerous awards including the Ney Award for the best large mess afloat, the second consecutive Battle Efficiency "E", the CINCLANTFLT Golden Anchor Award for personnel retention, and the Navy Unit Commendation for her role in the first FBM Submarine Extended Refit Period.

In 1976, Canopus underwent an extensive refit at Charleston Naval Shipyard and returned to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for refresher training. Canopus returned to Rota, Spain, in December 1976.

As a result of the shipyard overhaul in Charleston, Canopus brought new and improved capabilities to Rota for the support of Submarine Squadron 16.

In June 1979, Canopus relieved Simon Lake at the Naval Weapons Station Charleston, South Carolina. Canopus now reported to the Commander of Squadron 18.

1980s

In January 1980, Canopus went 200 miles (320 km) off the coast to conduct drills. In March 1980, Canopus made a liberty cruise to Cape Canaveral, Florida.

In 1984 after being relieved by Holland, Canopus underwent an overhaul at Charleston Naval Shipyard - which lasted until 1985. Refresher training and shake-down was conducted out of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. After a short stay at Charleston, Canopus sailed in July 1985 to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia, where she relieved Simon Lake - assuming upkeep and refit duties for the SSBNs of Subron 16.

Decommissioning

Canopus was located at Kings Bay during the early 1990s. During a ceremony held at the Warrior Wharf there on 7 October 1994, Canopus' 29 years of service was celebrated; and she was decommissioned from active service.

Plans to scrap the vessel in the United Kingdom ran into controversy in view of the risks posed by toxic chemicals and asbestos. [3]

Canopus was scrapped at Able UK in Hartlepool. [4]

Related Research Articles

USS <i>Theodore Roosevelt</i> (SSBN-600) George Washington-class submarine

USS Theodore Roosevelt (SSBN-600), a George Washington-class submarine, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for President Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919). Initially unnamed and assigned hull classification symbol SSGN-600 as a guided missile submarine, her keel was laid down on 20 May 1958 by the Mare Island Naval Shipyard using components initially assembled for the Skipjack-class submarine nuclear attack submarine USS Scamp (SSN-588). She was named Theodore Roosevelt and redesignated fleet ballistic missile submarine SSBN-600 on 6 November 1958, launched on 3 October 1959, sponsored by Alice Roosevelt Longworth, daughter of Theodore Roosevelt and widow of Nicholas Longworth III, and commissioned on 13 February 1961 with Commander William E. Sims commanding the Blue Crew and Commander Oliver H. Perry, Jr. commanding the Gold Crew.

USS <i>Robert E. Lee</i> Submarine of the U.S. Navy

USS Robert E. Lee (SSBN-601), a George Washington-class fleet ballistic missile submarine, was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Robert E. Lee (1807–1870), the commanding general of the Confederate forces during the American Civil War.

USS <i>Abraham Lincoln</i> (SSBN-602) George Washington class fleet ballistic missile submarine

USS Abraham Lincoln (SSBN-602), a George Washington-class fleet ballistic missile submarine, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States (1861–1865), the first being USS President Lincoln (1907).

USS <i>Sam Houston</i> (SSBN-609) Submarine of the United States

USS Sam Houston (SSBN-609/SSN-609), an Ethan Allen-class submarine, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named after Sam Houston (1793–1863), president of the Republic of Texas. Sam Houston was the US Navy's seventh ballistic missile submarine.

USS <i>Lafayette</i> (SSBN-616) Submarine of the United States

USS Lafayette (SSBN-616), the lead ship of her class of ballistic missile submarine, was the third ship of the United States Navy to be named to honor Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, a French military hero who fought alongside and significantly aided the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.

USS <i>John Marshall</i> Submarine of the United States

USS John Marshall (SSBN-611) was an Ethan Allen-class submarine, the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for John Marshall (1755–1835), the fourth Chief Justice of the United States. Originally a fleet ballistic missile submarine designated SSBN-611, she later was reclassified as an attack submarine and re-designated SSN-611.

USS <i>Alexander Hamilton</i> (SSBN-617) Submarine of the United States

USS Alexander Hamilton (SSBN-617) was a United States Lafayette-class ballistic missile submarine. It was the third ship of the United States Navy to be named for Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, the first US Secretary of the Treasury, who was instrumental in the formation of both the United States Coast Guard and the United States Navy.

USS <i>George Washington Carver</i> Submarine of the United States

USS George Washington Carver (SSBN-656), a Benjamin Franklin class fleet ballistic missile submarine, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for George Washington Carver (1865–1943), an American researcher and inventor.

USS <i>Thomas Jefferson</i> (SSBN-618) Submarine of the United States

USS Thomas Jefferson (SSBN-618), an Ethan Allen class nuclear-powered submarine, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for Founding Father Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826), the third President of the United States (1801–1809). She later was reclassified as an attack submarine and redesignated SSN-618.

USS <i>Proteus</i> (AS-19) US Navy submarine tender

The third USS Proteus (AS-19) was a Fulton-class submarine tender in the United States Navy.

USS <i>Betelgeuse</i> (AK-260) Cargo ship of the United States Navy

USS Betelgeuse (AK-260) was the last of the cargo ships in service in the United States Navy. On 10 April 1944, it was renamed the SS Colombia Victory after being launched as a Victory ship to carry cargo during World War II. She was transferred to the US Navy in 1951.

USS <i>Daniel Webster</i> US navy submarine

USS Daniel Webster (SSBN-626), a Lafayette-class ballistic missile submarine (FBM), was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Senator Daniel Webster.

USS <i>Woodrow Wilson</i> Submarine of the United States

USS Woodrow Wilson (SSBN-624), a Lafayette class ballistic missile submarine, was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924), the 28th President of the United States (1913–1921). She later was converted into an attack submarine and redesignated SSN-624.

USS <i>Kamehameha</i> Submarine of the United States

USS Kamehameha (SSBN-642) was a Benjamin Franklin-class ballistic missile submarine and the only ship in the United States Navy to be named after Kamehameha I, the first King of Hawaii. She is one of only two United States ships named after a monarch.a She was later reclassified as an attack submarine and re-designated SSN-642.

USS <i>George C. Marshall</i> Submarine of the United States

USS George C. Marshall (SSBN-654), a Benjamin Franklin-class ballistic missile submarine, was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for General of the Army George C. Marshall (1880-1959), who served as U.S. Secretary of State from 1947 to 1949 and as U.S. Secretary of Defense from 1950 to 1951.

USS <i>Casimir Pulaski</i> Submarine of the United States

USS Casimir Pulaski (SSBN-633), a James Madison-class ballistic missile submarine, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for Casimir Pulaski (1745–1779), a Polish general who served in the American Revolutionary War.

USS <i>Simon Lake</i> Tender of the United States Navy

USS Simon Lake (AS-33) was the lead ship of her class of submarine tenders in the United States Navy, named for Simon Lake, a pioneering designer of early submarines.

USS <i>Holland</i> (AS-32) Tender of the United States Navy

USS Holland was a submarine tender in service with the United States Navy from 1963 to 1996.

USS <i>Hunley</i> Tender of the United States Navy

USS Hunley (AS-31) was a submarine tender of the United States Navy launched on 28 September 1961 and commissioned 16 June 1962. The Hunley was designed to tend most of the long-term requirements of the Polaris Class of submarines. The ship achieved several records and milestones in its service. The Hunley was decommissioned from the regular navy, in 1995 transferred to the US Maritime Commission, and in 2007 sold as scrap to a metal recycling company in Louisiana. In September 2008, during Hurricane Gustav, the decommissioned ship broke free of its moorings in the New Orleans Inner Harbor, but caused little or no damage while adrift.

USS <i>Tringa</i> US Navy submarine rescue ship

USS Tringa (ASR-16) was a Chanticleer-class submarine rescue ship of the United States Navy. She was laid down on 12 July 1945 at Savannah, Georgia, by the Savannah Machine & Foundry Co.; launched on 25 June 1946; sponsored by Mrs. Nola Dora Vassar, the mother of Curtis L. Vassar, Jr., missing in action; and commissioned on 28 January 1947.

References

  1. ↑ Courtien, Tom; Russ Christie; John Linville. "Thanksgiving 1970 - Fire on the Canopus". SSBN 657 USS Francis Scott Key Crew Home Page. Retrieved 17 September 2008.
  2. ↑ Naval Historical Center. "USS.Canopus (AS-34): Deployments" (PDF). USS Canopus Association. p. 1. Retrieved 17 September 2008.
  3. ↑ "Third 'ghost ship' arrives". BBC News . 27 November 2003. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
  4. ↑ "Ghost ships in the dock: Voyage into the unknown". The Northern Echo. 9 October 2007. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.