USS Seawolf (SSN-575) was the third ship of the United States Navy to be named for the seawolf, the second nuclear submarine, and the only US submarine built with a liquid metal cooled (sodium), beryllium-moderated[2][3]nuclear reactor, the S2G.[4] Her overall design (known as SCB 64A) was a variant of Nautilus, but with numerous detail changes, such as a conning tower, stepped sail, and the BQR-4 passive sonar mounted in the top portion of the bow instead of further below. This sonar arrangement resulted in an unusual bow shape above the water for a U.S. submarine. Originally laid down in 1953, her distinctive reactor was later replaced with a standard pressurized water reactor, the replacement process lasting from 12 December 1958 to 30 September 1960.[5]
Seawolf was the same basic "double hull" twin-screw submarine design as her predecessor USSNautilus(SSN-571), but her propulsion system was more technologically advanced. The Submarine Intermediate Reactor (SIR) nuclear plant was designed by General Electric's Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory and prototyped in West Milton, New York. The prototype plant was eventually designated S1G and Seawolf's plant as S2G.
Although makeshift repairs permitted the Seawolf to complete her initial sea trials on reduced power in February 1957, Rickover had already decided to abandon the sodium-cooled reactor. Early in November 1956, he informed the Commission that he would take steps toward replacing the reactor in Seawolf with a water-cooled plant similar to that in the Nautilus. The leaks in the Seawolf steam plant were an important factor in the decision but even more persuasive were the inherent limitations in sodium-cooled systems. In Rickover's words they were "expensive to build, complex to operate, susceptible to prolonged shutdown as a result of even minor malfunctions, and difficult and time-consuming to repair."[6]
The S2G reactor was replaced with a pressurized water reactor similar to Nautilus and designated S2Wa, the replacement process lasting from 12 December 1958 to 30 September 1960.[7]
Although fully armed, Seawolf, like the first nuclear submarine, Nautilus, was primarily an experimental vessel. Seawolf was originally thought of publicly as a hunter-killer submarine, but in fact was intended to be a one-off test platform for the SIR (aka S2G) LMFR reactor and future sonar platforms. Its future uses, after the reactor plant was replaced with a light water system, included covert operations in foreign waters, for which it was converted January 1971 – June 1973.[5]
Like all of the original nuclear subs, the project manager at Electric Boat was the general manager of the company, Bill Jones. During the parallel construction of the first nuclear submarines, the Navy, the Atomic Energy Commission, its independent labs, and the shipyard all worked together to learn together.[citation needed]
For the yard, the Power Plant Project manager was a separate function on these original nuclear subs. Dennis B. BoykinIII would lead EB's power plant installation, and return to the project two years later for the reactor conversion. His counterpart at the Office of Naval Reactors, Gardner Brown, did the same.[citation needed]
Seawolf departed New London, Connecticut, on 2 April for her shakedown cruise off Bermuda and returned on 8 May. Between 16 May and 5 August, she made two voyages to Key West and participated in intensive training exercises. On 3 September, she steamed across the North Atlantic to participate in NATOexercises. The submarine surfaced off Newport, Rhode Island, on 25 September after cruising 6,331 nonstop miles. The next day, President of the United States Dwight D. Eisenhower embarked and was taken for a short cruise onboard her.[citation needed]
Seawolf cruised to the Caribbean Sea for an exercise in November. In December, she began an availability period that lasted until 6 February 1958. She then participated in exercises along the east coast until early August.[citation needed]
Seawolf submerged on 7 August and did not surface again until 6 October. During this period, she logged over 13,700 nautical miles (25,400km). She received the Navy Unit Commendation[11]:344 for demonstrating the ability of the nuclear-powered submarine to remain independent of the atmosphere for the period of a normal war patrol.[citation needed]
Seawolf returned to Electric Boat Company in Groton, Connecticut, on 12 December 1958, for conversion of her power plant from a S2G sodium-cooled LMFR to a S2WaPWR. She was out of commission until 30 September 1960. The Office of Naval Reactors had determined that the unique superheated steam powerplant was too difficult to maintain, since the superheaters were rarely operational. Constructed of rolled steel (vs forged steel), the superheaters were usually unable to allow the plant to operate at full capacity.[citation needed]
On 18 April 1959, the Navy disposed of the radioactive S2G plant by sealing it in a 30-foot high stainless steel containment vessel, towing it out to sea on a barge, and then sinking the barge at a point about 120miles due east of Maryland in 9,100feet of water. Twenty-one years later, the Navy was unable to relocate the container, but said that the radioactive materials inside should decay before the containment vessel deteriorated.[12][13][14]
1960–1966
Seawolf began a three-week period of independent operations on 25 October, and returned to fleet operations in November and December. On 9 January 1961, Seawolf sailed to San Juan, Puerto Rico, to participate in local operations. On 25 January, she was ordered to locate and track the Portuguese passenger liner Santa Maria which had been seized by pirates two days earlier. The submarine made contact with the liner off the coast of Brazil on 1 February. After Santa Maria surrendered in Recife, the submarine returned to San Juan and continued east coast operations.[citation needed]
On 7 July, Seawolf began a two-month oceanographic voyage which took her to Portsmouth, England, before returning the vessel to New London on 19 September 1961.[citation needed]
In 1963, Seawolf participated in the search for the lost USS Thresher (SSN-593) and in various local and fleet operations until April 1964. On 28 April, Seawolf stood out of New London en route to the Mediterranean Sea and a 3+1⁄2-month deployment with the Sixth Fleet. During the period, she operated with aircraft carrierEnterprise (CVAN-65), guided missile cruiserLong Beach (CGN-9), and guided missile frigateBainbridge (DLGN-25) as a part of the world's first nuclear task force. More local East Coast exercises followed until 5 May 1965. On that date, the submarine entered the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for refueling and an extensive overhaul bringing her up to the SUBSAFE standard put in place after the loss of Thresher. This overhaul lasted until September 1966.[citation needed]
1967–1973
Seawolf sailed from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, on 24 August 1967 for New London, Connecticut, which was again her home port. The following month, she sailed to the Caribbean Sea for refresher training and weapons trials. She had to have a propeller replaced at Charleston, South Carolina, in early October and then conducted sea trials in the Bahama Islands for the remainder of the month. The end of the year 1967 found her back at her home port.[citation needed]
Seawolf was operating from that port when she grounded off the coast of Maine on 30 January 1968,[citation needed] badly crushing her stern.[11]:99 She was towed back to New London, Connecticut, for repairs and did not put to sea again until 20 March 1969, when she began sea trials. The submarine was in the Caribbean Sea during June and July conducting underwater sound and weapons systems tests. Seawolf was deployed with the Sixth Fleet from 29 September to 21 December 1969.[citation needed]
Seawolf operated along the East Coast until 9 November 1970 when her home port was changed to Vallejo, California, and she sailed for the West Coast. The submarine transited the Panama Canal on 17 November and changed operational control to Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet. In the Pacific, Seawolf would serve as a "spy submarine", trailing other submarines, retrieving test weapons from the seabed, and tappingSovietsubmarine communications cables.[11]
Upon arrival at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, she entered drydock on 8 January 1971 for overhaul and conversion to a special project platform. The sense of the euphemistic 'special project platform' can be gleaned from photos of the ships from before and after the renovation. The 52-foot hull extension forward of the sail held intelligence gathering equipment that supported covert operations, including an "aquarium" for launching variable depth sonar and retrieval equipment. For precise maneuvering, she gained jet thrusters. A saturation diver lockout was installed inside the hull, and a new gondola underneath the hull[citation needed] held retractable "skegs" (short for "sea keeping legs") for bottom station keeping.[11]:241 The ship remained there until 21 June 1973, when she moved up the coast to Bangor, Washington. She would remain a special projects boat until its decommissioning.[citation needed]
Seawolf returned to Mare Island on 4 September 1973.[citation needed] But despite the frequent rebuilds, age was beginning to wear on the craft. Records describe frequent fires and reactor scrams, life-support oxygenation failures, and crewmembers on speed to maintain stamina.[11]:223
1974–1978
In 1974, Seawolf completed post-conversion testing and evaluation period and conducted its first Pacific Fleet deployment, operating independently for a period of three months. For its performance of duty, it was awarded a second Navy Unit Commendation. In 1975, Seawolf came under the exclusive direction of Submarine Development Group One, and for outstanding performance in 1974–1975, was awarded a Battle Efficiency "E."[citation needed]
In 1976, Seawolf received its second consecutive Battle Efficiency "E" and the Engineering "E" for Excellence. During its second Pacific Fleet deployment, it conducted independent submerged operations for three months and demonstrated superior endurance by remaining submerged for 89 consecutive days, a U.S. Navy record.[citation needed] It received her third Navy Unit Commendation.[11]:344–349
In 1977, Seawolf received its third Battle Efficiency "E" and her second Engineering "E" for Excellence. During its third Pacific Fleet deployment, it conducted 79 consecutive days of independent submerged operations and received its fourth Navy Unit Commendation[11]:350 and the Navy Expeditionary Medal. In 1978, Seawolf conducted its fourth Pacific Fleet deployment.[citation needed]
1980–1987
Decommissioned submarines at Puget Sound in 1993. Seawolf is the long hull, 2nd above the jetty, recognizable by the stepped sail and the unusual bow shape.
In August 1981, Seawolf deployed on her fifth Pacific Fleet deployment. By that point, the struggles to maintain the aged boat had stressed crew morale close to breaking. Between missions, crewmembers had participated makeshift target practice on mudflats near the base, or indulged in recreational marijuana contrary to naval regulations (and possible as a scheme to make themselves ineligible for duty).[11]:254–255 Nevertheless, the boat proceeded to tap a submarine communications cable in the Sea of Okhotsk, where she found herself trapped by an extreme storm. Although most submarines are isolated from surface weather by boundary layer effects, the typhoon was sufficiently strong to shake Seawolf so that her skegs dug into the seabed, and clog the reactor heat exchanger with sand. In freeing herself, the ship ripped away from the underbelly gondola, leaving interior parts free to bang against the hull. Without classic submarine silence, the submarine was easily detected by a Soviet fishing trawler, but managed to outlast the ship into international waters.[11]:242–246Seawolf returned to homeport in October 1981, and received the Navy Expeditionary Medal.
In 1983, Seawolf conducted its sixth Pacific Fleet deployment of 76days and returned to Mare Island Naval Shipyard in May 1983. She was awarded the Navy Expeditionary Medal, another Battle Efficiency "E," another Engineering"E," a Supply"E," and a Damage Control "DC." In 1984, Seawolf conducted a 93-day deployment to the Western Pacific, returned in July, and continued her high operating tempo with numerous local operations. She was awarded her third consecutive Supply"E," a Communications "C," and the Deck Seamanship Award.[citation needed]
In April 1986, Seawolf conducted her last Western Pacific deployment and returned to Mare Island in June 1986 to prepare for decommissioning. Decommissioned 30 March 1987, Seawolf was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register the following 10 July. The former submarine began the Navy's Ship-Submarine Recycling Program on 1 October 1996 and completed it on 30 September 1997.[citation needed]
United States naval reactors are nuclear reactors used by the United States Navy aboard certain ships to generate the steam used to produce power for propulsion, electric power, catapulting airplanes in aircraft carriers, and a few more minor uses. Such naval nuclear reactors have a complete power plant associated with them. All commissioned U.S. Navy submarines and supercarriers built since 1975 are nuclear powered, with the last conventional carrier, USS Kitty Hawk, being decommissioned in May 2009. The U.S. Navy also had nine nuclear-powered cruisers with such reactors, but they have since been decommissioned as well.
USS Seawolf (SSN-21), is a nuclear-powered fast attack submarine and the lead ship of her class. She is the fourth submarine of the United States Navy named for the seawolf, a solitary fish with strong, prominent teeth that give it a savage look.
USS Skate (SSN-578) was the third submarine of the United States Navy named for the skate, a type of ray, was the lead ship of the Skate class of nuclear submarines. She was the third nuclear submarine commissioned, the first to make a completely submerged trans-Atlantic crossing, the second submarine to reach the North Pole, and the first to surface there.
USS Long Beach (CLGN-160/CGN-160/CGN-9) was a nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser in the United States Navy and the world's first nuclear-powered surface combatant. She was the third Navy ship named after the city of Long Beach, California.
USS Jimmy Carter (SSN-23) is the third and final Seawolf-class nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine in the United States Navy. Commissioned in 2005, she is named for the 39th president of the United States, Jimmy Carter, the only president to have qualified on submarines. The only submarine to be named for a living president, Jimmy Carter is also one of the few vessels, and only the third submarine of the US Navy, to be named for a living person. Extensively modified from the original design of her class, she is sometimes described as a subclass unto herself.
USS Nautilus (SSN-571) was the world's first operational nuclear-powered submarine and the first submarine to complete a submerged transit of the North Pole on 3 August 1958. Her initial commanding officer was Eugene "Dennis" Wilkinson, a widely respected naval officer who set the stage for many of the protocols of today's Nuclear Navy of the US, and who had a storied career during military service and afterwards.
USS Halibut (SSGN-587), a unique nuclear-powered guided missile submarine-turned-special operations platform, later redesignated as an attack submarine SSN-587, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named after the halibut.
USS Tullibee (SSN-597), a unique submarine, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for the tullibee, any of several whitefishes of central and northern North America.
USS Skipjack (SSN-585), the lead ship of her class of nuclear-powered attack submarine, was the third ship of the United States Navy to be named after the skipjack tuna.
USS Shark (SSN-591), a Skipjack-class submarine, was the seventh ship of the United States Navy to be named for the shark.
USS Plunger (SSN-595), a Permit-class submarine, was the third ship of the United States Navy to be named "plunger", meaning a diver or a daring gambler.
USS Phoenix (SSN-702), a Los Angeles-class submarine, was the fifth ship of the United States Navy to be named "Phoenix" and the third to be named after the city, Phoenix, Arizona. The contract to build her was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut, on 31 October 1973, and her keel was laid down on 30 July 1977. She was launched on 8 December 1979, sponsored by Mrs. Betty Harvey Rhodes, wife of Congressman John J. Rhodes, and commissioned on 19 December 1981.
USS Connecticut (SSN-22) is a Seawolf-class nuclear powered fast attack submarine operated by the United States Navy. Connecticut is the fifth active United States Ship to be named for the U.S. state of Connecticut, going back to 1776. The contract to build her was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut, on 3 May 1991 and her keel was laid down on 14 September 1992. She was launched on 1 September 1997, sponsored by Patricia L. Rowland, wife of the Governor of Connecticut, John G. Rowland, and commissioned on 11 December 1998.
USS Tautog (SSN-639), a Sturgeon-class attack submarine, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for the tautog, a wrasse commonly found along the Northern Atlantic coast. The submarine was in service from 17 August 1968 to 31 March 1997.
USS Drum (SSN-677), a Sturgeon-class attack submarine, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for the drum, also known as the croaker or hardhead, any of various fishes of the Sciaenidae family, capable of making a drumming noise and best known on the Atlantic coast of North America.
USS Buffalo (SSN-715) was a Los Angeles-class submarine, the second vessel that actively served the United States Navy to be named for Buffalo, New York. The contract to build her was awarded to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia on 23 February 1976, and her keel was laid down on 25 January 1980. She was launched on 8 May 1982 sponsored by Mrs. Joanne Kemp, wife of former Buffalo Bills quarterback and New York's 31st congressional district representative Jack Kemp, who was credited with winning approval to name the ship after the city in his district. Buffalo was commissioned on 5 November 1983, with Commander G. Michael Hewitt in command. Buffalo was decommissioned on 30 January 2019 after 35 years of service.
USS Santa Fe (SSN-763), a Los Angeles-class submarine, is the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for Santa Fe, New Mexico. The contract to build her was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut on 21 March 1986 and her keel was laid down on 9 July 1991. She was launched on 12 December 1992 sponsored by Mrs. Joy Johnson, and commissioned on 8 January 1994, with Commander Rodger P. Krull in command.
The S2G reactor was a naval reactor used by the United States Navy to provide electricity generation and propulsion on warships, and the only liquid metal cooled reactor yet deployed by the US Navy. The S2G designation stands for:
The S2W reactor was a naval reactor used by the United States Navy to provide electricity generation and propulsion on warships. The S2W designation stands for:
The United States Navy Nuclear Propulsion community consists of Naval Officers and Enlisted members who are specially trained to run and maintain the nuclear reactors that power the submarines and aircraft carriers of the United States Navy. Operating more than 80 nuclear-powered ships, the United States Navy is currently the largest naval force in the world.
References
↑ Gardiner, Robert and Chumbley, Stephen, Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1947–1995, p. 604, Conway Maritime Press, London:1995, ISBN1-55750-132-7.
↑ Cochran, Thomas B.; Feiveson, Harold A.; von Hippel, Frank (February 2010). "Fast Reactor Development in the United States"(pdf). Fast Breeder Reactor Programs: History and Status. International Panel on Fissile Materials. pp.90–91. ISBN978-0-9819275-6-5. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
↑ "Attempt to christen the Seawolf (SSN-575)". NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive. NavSource History. http://navsource.org/archives/08/575/0857549.jpg. Retrieved 13 November 2022. The press caption read: Mrs. W. Sterling Cole, wife of the congressman from New York, wields the bottle of champagne as she christens the atomic submarine Seawolf today. She failed to break the bottle and it slipped out of her hand.
↑ Pearson, Richard (16 March 1987). "Ex-Congressman W.S. Cole, Atomic Energy Expert, Dies". Washington Post. Retrieved 13 November 2022. Survivors include his wife of 57 years, the former Mary Elizabeth Thomas, of Arlington...
↑ "James Earl Carter, Jr". Naval History and Heritage Command. 19 October 1997. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Sontag, Sherry; Drew, Christopher; Drew, Annette Lawrence (4 March 2008). Blind Man's Bluff: The Untold Story of American Submarine Espionage. PublicAffairs. ISBN978-1-58648-678-5.
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