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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive


Patches contributed by Mike Smolinski

Sargo (SSN-583)

Radio Call Sign: November - Echo - India - Hotel

Skate Class Submarine: Laid down, 21 February 1956, at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, CA.; Launched, 10 October 1957; Commissioned, USS Sargo (SSN-583), 1 October 1958; Decommissioned 26 February 1988 at Pearl Harbor, and struck from the Naval Register, 21 April 1988; Final Disposition, disposed of through NPSSRP (Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program) at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, WA., 14 April 1994 to 5 April 1995.
Partial data submitted by Ron Reeves (of blessed memory)

Specifications: Displacement, Surfaced: 2,570 t., Submerged: 2,861 t.; Length 267' 8"; Beam 25'; Draft 20'; Speed, Surfaced 23 kts, Submerged 18+ kts; Complement 8 Officers, 75 Enlisted; Armament, six 21" torpedo tubes forward, two MK 37 asw aft. Propulsion, S3W pressurized water cooled reactor, steam turbines, two propellers, 13,200 shp.
Partial text via John Hummel.
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Sargo173k Hull section for Sargo (SSN-583) being fabricated in the structural shop at Mare Island on 19 January 1956. Photo caption: Assembled frame installed in shell plates on saddles. USN photo # 27754-1-56, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo156k Hull section for Sargo (SSN-583) ready for shipping to the building ways at Mare Island on 13 February 1956. USN photo # 28121-2-56, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo98k The first hull section of the Sargo (SSN-583), Mare Island's Naval Shipyard first nuclear submarine, is seen being moved from Structural Shop on double flatbed trailer on 14 February 1956.
USN photo # NY9 28124-2-56, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo277kRADM John R. Redman, USN, Commandant 12th Naval District delivers the main address during the keel laying of the Sargo (SSN-583) at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 21 February 1956. The shipyard's voluntary civilian band is seen below the VIP stand.
USN photo # NY9-28179-2-56, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo58kRADM John R. Redman, Commandant 12th Naval Distirct (right) is seen with RADM Martin J. Lawrence, Shipyard Commander authenticating the keel of Mare Island's first nuclear submarine Sargo (SSN-583) on 21 February 1956.USN photo # NY9-28184-2-56, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo289k Honors rendered during the keel laying of the Sargo (SSN-583) at Mare Island on 21 February 1956. Capt. E. A. Wright, shipyard Production Officer, is on the platform and Honorary Keel Layers are from the left to right are Master Shipfitter Charles H. Butler and Rigger Master, E. W. Martinez.
USN photo # NY9 28181-2-56, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo387kCrowd at the keel laying of Sargo (SSN-583) at Mare Island on 21 February 1956.
USN photo # NY9 251786-2-56, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo124kIt took 3 Admirals and a captain to plant the Sequoia Redwood tree to mark the keel laying of Mare Island's first nuclear submarine, Sargo (SSN-583) on 21 February 1956. From left to right: RADM Martin J. Lawrence, USN (Shipyard Commander), RADM John R. Redman (Commandant 12th ND), RADM F. I. Entwistle, USN (Mare Island Base Commander) and Capt R. A. Davidson, CEC, USN (Public Works Officer Mare Island).USN photo # NY9 28182-2-56, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo126kThis is a photo taken on 9 May 2003 on the now closed Mare Island Naval Shipyard of the Sequoia tree planted to mark the keel laying of the Sargo (SSN-583). The tree was used as the Shipyard Christmas tree in the 1980s and 1990s.
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USN photo courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Grayback255k Bow view of Grayback (SSG-574) on the ways at Mare Island on 3 April 1956. Note that she is configured as an attack submarine at this date. The Sargo (SSN-583) is under construction on the ways to the right. USN photo # 30138-7-56, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Grayback245k Stern view of Grayback (SSG-574) on the ways at Mare Island on 3 April 1956. The Sargo (SSN-583) is under construction on the ways to the left. USN photo # 30139-7-56, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo1.0mA shipfitter uses a portable grinder on radius rod for sizing and beveling of frames on 13 April 1956.USN photo # 28893-4-56, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo108k Shipyard welders working on a hull section for Sargo (SSN-583) at berth 15 at Mare Island on 14 May 1956. USN photo # 29304-5-56, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo131k A hull section for Sargo (SSN-583) at berth 15 at Mare Island is being flipped from its horizontal to a vertical position for transportation to building ways on 6 June 1956. The hull section is being lifted by YD-33 (boom just visible) while the dock crane D-2 (behind the hull section) will flip the section and then remove the handle cradle. USN photo # 29647-5-56, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo136k Photo of winches and cable installation used to pull and lower hull section into place for Sargo (SSN-583) at Mare Island on 19 June 1956. USN photo # 29802-6-56, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo126k Greasing the skids. Shop 72 workers are shown lubricating the steel slide at building ways in preparation to pulling section 3 up the ways during the building of the Sargo (SSN-583). Photo taken on 19 June 1956 at Mare Island Naval Shipyard.USN photo # NY9 29803-6-56, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo & Grayback232k Section 3 of the Sargo (SSN-583) is shown being moved up the building ways at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 19 June 1956. The Grayback (SSG-574) is shown on the building ways to the right.USN photo # NY9 29805-6-56, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo1.2mWorkers in the shipfitter shop shown fabrication of various foundations for the engine room and propulsion components on 26 July 1956. USN photo # 30351-7-56, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo1.4mVarious hull sections for the Sargo (SSN-583) are shown on the building ways at Mare Island on 3 October 1956. View is looking towards the stern of the boat.USN photo # 31449-10-56, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo1.3mVarious hull sections for the Sargo (SSN-583) are shown on the building ways at Mare Island on 3 October 1956. View is looking towards the bow of the boat. Grayback (SSG-574) is alongside to the right. USN photo # 31450-10-56, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Grayback277kBow view of Grayback (SSG-574) on the ways shown that the bow is being modified for her missile hanger at Mare Island on 9 January 1957. The Sargo (SSN-583) is under construction on the right. USN photo # 32690-1-57, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo216kStern view of Sargo (SSN-583) on the building ways at Mare Island on 2 April 1957. Grayback (SSG-574) is on the ways to the right. USN photo # 33742-4-57, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Grayback222kStern view of Grayback (SSG-574) on the ways the day before her launching at Mare Island on 1 July 1957. The Sargo (SSN-583) is on the ways to the left. USN photo # 34939-7-57, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Grayback596kThe spectators gathered for the launching of the Grayback (SSG-574) at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 2 July 1957. The yard's first nuclear submarine Sargo (SSN-583) is seen on the ways to the right. U.S. Navy # NY9 35033-7-57, photo courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Grayback2.30kGrayback (SSG-574) is seen ready for launching at Mare Island on 2 July 1957. The bow of the Sargo (SSN-583) is seen to the right.USN photo # 35041-7-57 TH, courtesy of Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum via Darryl L. Baker.
Grayback503kGrayback (SSG-574) is shown half way down the building ways at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 2 July 1957. The Sargo (SSN-583) is on the right. USN photo # NY9 35073-7-57, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Grayback367k Grayback (SSG-574) is shown at the end of the building ways at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 2 July 1957. The Sargo (SSN-583) is on the right. USN photo # NY9 35061-7-57, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Launching - Shakedown
Sargo 1.03kEighteen page PDF of Launching, Commissioning, Welcome Aboard & Decommissioning Programs. USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
Sargo182kAllen Bullock, a former crew member of Sargo (SS-188) views the Sargo (SSN-583) on the building ways at Mare Island on 8 October 1957.USN photo # NY9 36929-10-57, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo1.20kStern view of Sargo (SSN-583) with a nice view of her twin screws and aft torpedo tubes.Two shipwrights are checking the ways prior to submarines launching. USN photo # 36977E-10-57 TH courtesy of Vallejo Naval and Museum via Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo117kTwo tickets for Sargo's (SSN-583) launching at Mare Island on 10 October 1957.Photo courtesy of Richard & Alice Bloom.
Sargo214k Art work on the front page of launching program. USN photo courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo154k Sargo (SSN-583) is ready for launching at Mare Island on 10 October 1957. USN photo # NY9 36980-10-57, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo163kStern view of Sargo (SSN-583) on the building ways on her launch day at Mare Island on 10 October 1957.USN photo # 36979-10-57, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo187kThe Sargo (SSN-583) is dressed for her launching at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, 10 October 1957. USN photo # NY9 36978-10-57, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo77kChristening bottle and case for the Sargo (SSN-583).USN photo # 37015-10-57, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo152kThe Christening Party arrives for the christening of the Sargo (SSN-583) at Mare Island on 10 October 1957. The party is from left to right: VADM F. T. Watkins, USN, Commander Anti-Submarine Defense Force, Mrs. F. T. Watkins (Sponsor) and Mrs. F. T. Watkins Jr. (Matron of Honor).USN photo # NY9 36985-10-57, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo166k Mrs F. T. Watkins (Sponsor) christens the Sargo (SSN-583) on 10 October 1957 at Mare Island Naval Shipyard.USN photo # NY9 36995-10-57, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo1.10kMrs. Frank T. Watkins christens the Sargo (SSN-583) at Mare island on 10 October 1957. Assisting Mrs. Watkin is Capt E. J. Fahy (production officer) with RADM Martin J. Lawrence, shipyard commander) to the right. USN photo # 36995-10-57 TH courtesy of Vallejo Naval and Museum via Darryl L. Baker.
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57k Mrs. Frank T. Watkins. This was taken right after the christening as someone was wiping champagne from her face.Photo courtesy of Dale Hargrave.
Sargo1.17kHere's a great, super-detailed photo of the Sargo (SSN-583) launching, 10 October 1957 in Vallejo. An interesting hand-written notation at upper left says "To Lt. Metzger- With appreciation for your devotion and skill in building our ship" signed The Sargo Officers.
During construction of Sargo he was LT Robert P. Metzger and was the Ship Superintendent (Manager) for construction of her propulsion plant. Couldn't determine when he departed Mare Island. He did return from 1965 to 1980 as Mr. Robert P. Metzger. He was Rickover's man at Mare Island. Metzger headed the Naval Reactors Representative Office (NRRO) at yard.
Here is a less super-detailed view of the christening of Sargo at Mare Island.
Insert USN photo # 36997-10-57, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Metzger text via D.L. Baker.
HR view & text courtesy of Jim Geldert AIA, USNI.
Sargo132kThe Sargo (SSN-583) begins to slide down the launching ramp. Photo courtesy of Mike Roberts Photo, Berkeley, CA., & submitted by Robert M. Cieri.
Sargo938kSargo (SSN-583) is seen at the end of the ways during her launching at Mare Island on 10 October 1957. USN photo # 36999-10-57, courtesy of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum via Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo1.40kSargo (SSN-583) at the end of the ways at Mare Island on 10 October 1957.USN photo # 36999B-10-57 TH courtesy of Vallejo Naval and Museum via Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo102k Sargo (SSN-583) is waterborne after launching at Mare Island on 10 October 1957.USN photo # NY9 37001-10-57, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo833kBroadside of Sargo (SSN-583) immediately after launching at Mare Island on 10 October 1957. Her launching cradle is in the foreground. USN photo # 37003-10-57, courtesy of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum via Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo138kNever get into a water fight with these vessels. USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
Sargo32kCommemorative post mark honoring Sargo's (SSN-583) launching, 10 October 1957 at Mare Island Naval Shipyard. Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
Sargo1.10kSargo (SSN-583) at her outfitting berth after her launching at Mare Island. Grayback (SSG-574) is aft of Sargo.USN photo # 37333-10-57 TH courtesy of Vallejo Naval and Museum via Darryl L. Baker.
Grayback1.00kView of the bow of Grayback (SSG-574) at her outfitting berth at Mare Island on 17 December 1957. Sargo (SSN-583) is forward of Grayback.USN photo # 8078-12-57, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo362k Bow view of the Sargo (SSN-583) is shown being outfitted at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 6 January 1958. USN photo # NY9 37790-1-58, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo168k Sargo (SSN-583) is seen in dry dock #1 at Mare Island on 19 March 1958. USN photo # NY9 38544-3-58, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo77kA surfaced Sargo (SSN-583) underway during her trials in May, 1958.USN photo courtesy of Bill Gonyo via parche683.net.
Sargo290k Senior trials members aboard Sargo (SSN-583) on 3 August 1958. Left to right: I. H. Whitthorne, Senior Yard Manager; RADM Hyman G. RIckover; and RADM Edward J. Fahy, Shipyard Commander. USN photo # 40466-8-58 courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
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3.85k Sargo (SSN-583) departing on her builder trails on 3 August 1958. USN photo # 40455-8-58, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo845kEarlier morning view of the Sargo (SSN-583) preparing to get underway for trials on 3 August 1958 at Mare Island. YTL-592 is alongside.USN photo # 40450-8-58 courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo758kSargo (SSN-583) departing Mare Island for trials on 3 August 1958.USN photo # 40453-8-58 courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo132kSargo (SSN-583) is seen departing Mare Island on 3 August 1958 for trials.
The object in the left hand corner is a temporary building and the hull sections that line the dockyard are either for Theodore Roosevelt (SSGN-600) or Permit (SSN-594).
USN photo # NY9 40452-8-58, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo73k VIPs ready for Sargo's (SSN-583) sea trials in August 1958. From left to right: CDR E. E. Kintner, USN (Shipyard Nuclear Power Supt.); Capt. Eugene P. Wilkinson )Original CO of Nautilus (SSN-571); Admiral Hyman G. Rickover; CDR D. P. Brooks, USN (Commanding Officer of Sargo).USN photo # NY9 40449-8-58, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo91kSargo (SSN-583) underway in San Pablo Bay of Mare Island departing on sea trials, 9 September 1958. USN photo # NY9 41103-9-58, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo211k Aerial view of Sargo (SSN-583) off Mare Island on 13 September 1958. USN photo # NY9 41078-9-58, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Commissioning - Decommissioning
Sargo1.08kLT Whitney Hansen sights Sargo's (SSN-583) submerged scope several days before her commissioning in October 1958.USN photo courtesy of Vallejo Naval and Museum via Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo60kPicture shown the commissioning party on the Sargo (SSN-583) at Mare Island on 1 October 1958. (Left to right) RADM George L. Russell, USN, 12th Naval District - Commissioning Officer; VADM Maurice E. Curtis, USN, Commander Western Sea Frontier - Speaker; CDR Daniel P. Brooks, Commanding Officer Sargo Mrs. Frank T. Watkins - Sponsor; RADM Frank T. Watkins, USN, 13th Naval District; RADM E. E. Yeomans, USN, Commander Navy Post Graduate School; RADM E. W. Grenfell, USN, Commander, Submarine Force Pacific Fleet; Capt Leo G. May, USN, Acting Shipyard Commander; CDR H. W. Buckingham, USN, Chaplain; and LCDR A. F. Mendonsa, USN, Chaplain.USN photo # NY9 41268-10-58, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo216kSargo (SSN-583) commissioning at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 1 October 1958.USN photo # NY9 41279-10-59, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo1.00kView of the commissioning of Sargo (SSN-583) at Mare Island on 1 October 1958.USN photo # 41270-10-58 TH courtesy of Vallejo Naval and Museum via Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo1.10kCDR Daniel P. Brooks stands aft of the Sargo's (SSN-583) sail in the morning of the submarine's commissioning at Mare Island on 1 October 1958. USN photo # 41275A-10-58 TH courtesy of Vallejo Naval and Museum via Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo996kChief D. A. Campbell checks the status of Sargo's (SSN-583) "Christmas Tree" in October 1958.USN photo # 41275C-10-58 TH courtesy of Vallejo Naval and Museum via Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo964kSargo's (SSN-583) commanding officer with his family before the submarine sail in the background after the submarine's commissioning. Left to right: Mrs. Mary Ellen Brooks, Margaret Brooks, Virginia Brooks, John Brooks and CDR Daniel P. Brooks. USN photo # 41273-10-58 TH courtesy of Vallejo Naval and Museum via Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo26kCommemorative post mark honoring Sargo's (SSN-583) commissioning, 1 October 1958 at Mare Island Naval Shipyard. Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
Sargo858kSargo (SSN-583) departs Mare Island on 7 October 1958. The arrow points to Sargo's commanding officer CDR Daniel P. Brooks. Mr. Irv Witthorne (Master Pipefitter) and CDR E. E. Kintner Nuclear Power Superintendent) case off the last line. USN photo # 40469-10-58 TH courtesy of Vallejo Naval and Museum via Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo463kSargo (SSN-583) arrives at Pearl Harbor on 16 October 1958. USNS Valentine (AF-47) is in the background.USN photo courtesy of Vallejo Naval and Museum via Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo98kSargo (SSN-583) around the time of her commissioning. In general form she resembles the diesel-electric Tang (SS-563) class submarine; nuclear submarines did not assume their modern fish like hull form until construction of the Skipjack (SSN-585) class.
The narrow line extending along Sargo's deck from bow to stern is a safety track installed as standard equipment on submarines after seven men were lost from Tusk (SS-426) while rescuing the crew of Cochino (SS-345) in Arctic waters. When going on deck in heavy weather, crewmen attach a safety line to themselves and clip the other end into the safety track. They can then move freely and remain safe against mishap.
USN photo from DANFS, courtesy of Joseph M. Radigan (of blessed memory)
Sargo503kPeriscope photo of Sargo (SSN-583) sinking the ex-Chittenden County (LST-561) on 21 October 1958. I Have included the front page of 15 May 1959 edition of Mare Island's newspaper with the same photos. USN photo courtesy of Vallejo Naval and Museum via Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo1.10kSargo (SSN-583) returns to Mare Island after her first cruise on 2 November 1958. USN photo # 46169-11-58 TH courtesy of Vallejo Naval and Museum via Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo900kA view of Sargo's (SSN-583) sail as she passes through the Mare Island causeway on 2 November 1958. This is the only indication that I have seen of a nuclear submarine this far north on the shipyard waterfront.USN photo # 46170-11-58 TH courtesy of Vallejo Naval and Museum via Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo137k Sargo (SSN-583) arrives at Mare Island on 3 April 1959. USN photo # NY9 43844-4-59, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo164k Sargo (SSN-583) departs Mare Island on 8 September 1959. USN photo # NY9 45799-9-59, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
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764k LCDR John H. Nicholson was the 2nd CO of Sargo (SSN-583) from 1 October 1959 to 27 May 1961. Text i.d. via Wolfgang Hechler.
USN photo courtesy of Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum via Darryl L. Baker.
Submarine Silhouettes 1960179kSubmarine Silhouettes of 1960:
Nautilus (SSN-571), Seawolf (SSN-575), Skate (SSN-578), Skipjack (SSN-585), Triton (SSRN-586), Halibut (SSGN-587), Thresher (SSN-593), Tullibee (SSN-597), George Washington (SSBN-598), & Ethan Allen (SSBN-608) classes.
USN photo submitted by Ron Titus, courtesy of Ingersoll-Rand. Corp.
Nuclear Submarine Profiles187kNuclear Submarine Profiles 1960:
Nautilus (SSN-571),
Seawolf (SSN-575),
Triton (SSRN-586),
Skate (SSN-578) & Skipjack (SSN-585) classes,
Halibut (SSGN-587) & Tullibee (SSN-597) classes,
George Washington (SSBN-598) &
Thresher (SSN-593) classes.
USN photo courtesy of Ron Titus courtesy of Ingersoll-Rand. Corp. Photo i.d. courtesy of David Johnston
Sargo63kSargo (SSN-583) probably taken during her trip to the Arctic Circle, 1960. Sargo had reached the vicinity of St. Matthews Island where she found ice, block and brash and where, after rendezvousing with the icebreaker Staten Island (AGB-5), she made her first stationary dive while surrounded by ice. On the 29th of January, she passed the Diomedes and crossed the Arctic Circle; and, on 9 February, she arrived under the North Pole. USN photo courtesy of Robert Hurst. Partial text courtesy of DANFS.
Sargo55k Postal cover marking Sargo (SSN-583) surfacing at the North Pole on 9 February 1960. USN photo courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo92k Sargo's (SSN-583) improvised panel for the Acrtic. USN photo courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Sargo75kSargo (SSN-583), surfaced above the Arctic Circle, 1960.USN photo courtesy of the US Navy Arctic Submarine Laboratory.
Sargo94kThird Submarine Sargo (SSN-583) visits the North Pole.
Sargo personnel explore Polynya (hole in the ice) through which the submarine surfaced. Photograph released on 1 March 1960.
Official USN photograph # USN 710628 courtesy of the National Museum of the U.S. Navy, via flickr.com.
Sargo306kAn ice exploration party alongside one of the ridges bordering a polynya (hole in the ice) in which Sargo surfaced. Ice parties were formed by the scientists and crew of the Sargo (SSN-583) to obtain data about the ice. Photograph released on 1 March 1960.Official USN photograph # USN 710632 courtesy of the National Museum of the U.S. Navy, via flickr.com.
Sargo1.03k The Hawaiian flag is raised at the North Pole by (left to right), Lieutenant Francis L. Wadsworth, USN, and Harold Meyer, Interior Communications Electrician First Class, USN, both of whom are natives of Hawaii. Lieutenant Commander Nicholson radioed Governor William F. Quinn of Hawaii that the "Aloha spirit has now been felt at both ends of the globe." On 26 October 1959, Admiral Herbert G. Hopwood, USN, Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Fleet, presented the Hawaiian flag to Rear Admiral David M. Tyree, USN, Commander of the Naval Support Force at Antarctica, who hoisted the flag at McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. Photograph released on 1 March 1960. Official USN photograph # USN 710628 courtesy of the National Museum of the U.S. Navy, via flickr.com.
Sargo1.23k The solid line indicates the approximate track of Sargo (SSN-583). The cross-line outside the polar area indicates the normal ice line for the time of the year Sargo's trip was made. Photograph released on 1 March 1960.Official USN photograph # USN 710634 courtesy of the National Museum of the U.S. Navy, via flickr.com.
Sargo33kCollecting hydrographic data as she progressed, Sargo (SSN-583) reached ice island T-3 on the 17th of February 1960. Thence, after conducting tests in cooperation with scientists on the ice island, she got underway for the Bering Straits, the Aleutians, and Hawaii. On 3 March, Sargo, having covered over 11,000 miles, 6,003 under ice, returned to Pearl Harbor with new data on arctic ice, arctic waters, and the physiography of the Arctic Basin. USN photo courtesy of the US Navy Arctic Submarine Laboratory.
Text courtesy of DANFS.
Sargo70kExamining the damage.Photograph courtesy of John Nicholson via Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
Sargo55kCold view from below.USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
Sargo250k Sargo (SSN-583) pulls into Pearl Harbor from a collision with the Northern elements.USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
Sargo100k On 14 June 1960, an explosion and fire took place in the stern room, while the submarine was charging her oxygen tanks from the dock, killed James E. Smallwood and put her back in the shipyard for the remainder of the summer. Text courtesy of DANFS.
USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
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NR Fire Damages A-Sub At Honolulu; 2 Missing
The nuclear submarine Sargo (SSN-583), hit by a fire yesterday at Pearl Harbor, is shown here on its return to Hawaii last March after a 6,000- mile cruise under the Arctic icecap.
AP Wirephoto
Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo & text by Evening Star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 15 June 1960, Image 4, courtesy of chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Swordfish389kThree Skate class submarines churn the Pacific: Swordfish (SSN-579), Sargo (SSN-583) & Seadragon (SSN-584) stand out for a family photo op on 3 December 1960.USN photo # NPC 1052413, courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
Sargo200kSargo (SSN-583) is accompanied to sea. USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
Sargo681k10 photo ship diagrams & scenes of life aboard Sargo (SSN-583) . USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Sargo226kSargo (SSN-583) exercises with HMAS Vampire, 13 May 1961.Photo by Don McPhedran, Australian Photographic Agency, courtesy of State Library of New South Wales, acmssearch.sl.nsw.gov.au.
Sargo190kProspective matre d'hotel's at Boot camp, Company 336, San Diego, July 1966 before assignment to the Sargo (SSN-583).Photo from the Keith Phillipy Collection courtesy of Carol Edgemon Hipperson author of Radioman: An Eyewitness Account of Pearl Harbor & World War II in the Pacific (Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martins Press, 2008) & The Belly Gunner (Twenty-First Century Books / Millbrook Press, 2001).
Sargo133k Sargo (SSN-583) mess hall, 1968.Photo from the Keith Phillipy Collection courtesy of Carol Edgemon Hipperson author of Radioman: An Eyewitness Account of Pearl Harbor & World War II in the Pacific (Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martins Press, 2008) & The Belly Gunner (Twenty-First Century Books / Millbrook Press, 2001).
Sargo134kThe head of a Sargo (SSN-583), 1968.Photo from the Keith Phillipy Collection courtesy of Carol Edgemon Hipperson author of Radioman: An Eyewitness Account of Pearl Harbor & World War II in the Pacific (Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martins Press, 2008) & The Belly Gunner (Twenty-First Century Books / Millbrook Press, 2001).
Sargo153kGalley Cook Keith Phillipy of the Sargo (SSN-583) about to prepare the catch of the day, 1968.Photo from the Keith Phillipy Collection courtesy of Carol Edgemon Hipperson author of Radioman: An Eyewitness Account of Pearl Harbor & World War II in the Pacific (Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martins Press, 2008) & The Belly Gunner (Twenty-First Century Books / Millbrook Press, 2001).
Sargo150kGalley Cooks ham it up before the camera on Sargo (SSN-583), 1968.Photo from the Keith Phillipy Collection courtesy of Carol Edgemon Hipperson author of Radioman: An Eyewitness Account of Pearl Harbor & World War II in the Pacific (Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martins Press, 2008) & The Belly Gunner (Twenty-First Century Books / Millbrook Press, 2001).
Sargo97kSargo (SSN-583) off the coast of Hawaii, circa 1975. USN photo courtesy of Wendell Royce McLaughlin Jr.
Sargo130kSargo (SSN-583) possibly off the coast of Hawaii, circa 1975. USN photo courtesy of Bill Gonyo via parche683.net.
Sargo40kOfficial Decommissioning Invitation for the Sargo (SSN-583), held at Pier Sierra-One, Naval Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on Friday 26 February 1988. Courtesy of Robert M. Cieri.
Sargo25k Sargo (SSN-583) commemorative decommissioning post mark, 1988. Courtesy of Richard Leonhardt.
Sargo51kCommemorative post mark honoring the nuclear submarines of the U.S. Navy on Sargo's (SSN-583) last day in commission, 26 February 1988.Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
Sargo43kCommemorative post mark on Sargo's (SSN-583) last day in commission, 26 February 1988.Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
PSNSY 683k An aerial view of a section of the Ship Intermediate Maintenance Facility at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard on 17 May 1993. One submarine tender and 16 decommissioned nuclear-powered submarines are shown including the Seawolf (SSN-575); six George Washington, and Lafayette class SSBN's (with their missile sections cut out) plus several Skate, Skipjack, Permit and Sturgeon class SSN's. All are awaiting scrapping.
Bottom row, from left to right Thomas A. Edison (SSBN-610), Skipjack (SSN-585), Snook (SSN-592), Henry Clay (SSBN-625), Lapon (SSN-661), Dace (SSN-607), Skate (SSN-578), Swordfish (SSN-579), Sargo (SSN-583), Seadragon (SSN-584).
Across the pier are Thomas Jefferson (SSBN-618), and not in view, Patrick Henry (SSBN-599), George Washington (SSBN-598), Barb (SSN-596) & Sea Devil (SSN-664).
Official USN photo # DN-ST-95-01863, by Calvin Larsen, from the Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil. Photo i.d. courtesy of David Johnston.
Skate140kPhoto date is March of 1994 during the demolition process for the submarines Skate (SSN-578) and Sargo (SSN-583) . Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Drydock No. 3, Farragut Avenue, Bremerton, Kitsap, WA. South Section from caisson when drydock is almost fully flooded in preparation for docking Sargo next to Skate [not in picture}. Library of Congress, Photo No. HAER WASH,18-BREM,4E—25 courtesy of Stephen Gower.
PSNSY291k"Sign of the times." March 1994 photo of Nuclear submarines at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard waiting in line for scrapping.
Top row left to right are Ethan Allen (SSBN-608), Seawolf (SSN-575) Plunger (SSN-595), Shark (SSN-591), Nathanael Greene (SSBN-636), Glenard P. Lipscomb (SSN-685) alongside Sperry (AS-12), with Triton (SSRN-586) across the pier from the Sperry .
Bottom row, from left to right Thomas A. Edison (SSBN-610), Skipjack (SSN-585), Snook (SSN-592), Henry Clay (SSBN-625), Lapon (SSN-661), Dace (SSN-607), Skate (SSN-578), Swordfish (SSN-579), Sargo (SSN-583), Seadragon (SSN-584).
Across the pier are Thomas Jefferson (SSBN-618), and not in view, Patrick Henry (SSBN-599), George Washington (SSBN-598), Barb (SSN-596) & Sea Devil (SSN-664).
There are so many submarines at PSNSY that the yard is running out of pier space.
Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
Skate110kView of fully flooded drydock with caisson opened. Newly arrived submarine is being placed in position. This photo was taken at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in April 1994 as Ex-Skate (SSN-578) and Ex-Sargo (SSN-583) entered dry dock to start the Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program. Text i.d. courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Library of Congress Photo No. HAER WASH,18-BREM,4E—26 courtesy of Stephen Gower.
reactor compartments 569kSealed reactor compartments are shipped by barge out of Puget Sound Naval Base down the coast and along the Columbia River to the port of Benton. There the radioactively-contaminated hull sections are transferred to special multiwheeled high-load trailers for transport to the Hanford Reservation in Washington State. Pictured below is the burial ground for reactor compartments of the following 77 nuclear reactor submarines as of March 2003:
Patrick Henry (SSBN-599),
Snook (SSN-592),
George Washington (SSBN-598),
Scamp (SSN-588),
Robert E. Lee (SSBN-601),
Thomas Jefferson (SSBN-618),
Theodore Roosevelt (SSBN-600),
Dace (SSN-607),
John Adams (SSBN-620),
Abraham Lincoln (SSBN-602),
Barb (SSN-596),
Ethan Allen (SSBN-608),
Thomas A. Edison (SSBN-610),
Pollack (SSN-603),
Glenard P. Lipscomb (SSN-685),
James Monroe (SSBN-622),
Skipjack (SSN-585),
Nathan Hale (SSBN-623),
Plunger (SSN-595),
Shark (SSN-591),
Lafayette (SSBN-616),
Sam Houston (SSBN-609),
Jack (SSN-605),
Haddo (SSN-604),
Tinosa (SSN-606),
Guardfish (SSN-612),
Permit (SSN-594),
Queenfish (SSN-651),
Ulysses S. Grant (SSBN-631),
John Marshall (SSBN-611),
George C. Marshall (SSBN-654),
Flasher (SSN-613),
Guitarro (SSN-665),
Alexander Hamilton (SSBN-617),
George Washington Carver (SSBN-656),
Tecumseh (SSBN-628),
Halibut (SSGN-587),
Will Rogers (SSBN-659),
Henry L. Stimson (SSBN-655),
Daniel Boone (SSBN-629),
Greenling (SSN-614),
John C. Calhoun (SSBN-630),
Casimir Pulaski (SSBN-633),
Skate (SSN-578),
Sargo (SSN-583),
Francis Scott Key (SSBN-657),
Sturgeon (SSN-637),
Benjamin Franklin (SSBN-640),
Swordfish (SSN-579),
Seadragon (SSN-584),
Stonewall Jackson (SSBN-634),
Simon Bolivar (SSBN-641),
Hammerhead (SSN-663),
Mariano G. Vallejo (SSBN-658),
Tullibee (SSN-597),
Lewis & Clark (SSBN-644),
Pargo (SSN-650),
Seahorse (SSN-669),
Gurnard (SSN-662),
Flying Fish (SSN-673),
Gato (SSN-615),
Puffer (SSN-652),
Seawolf (SSN-575),
Baton Rouge (SSN-689),
Bergall (SSN-667),
Whale (SSN-638),
Henry Clay (SSBN-625),
James Madison (SSBN-627),
Finback (SSN-670),
Spadefish (SSN-668),
Sunfish (SSN-649),
George Bancroft (SSBN-643),
Grayling (SSN-646),
Pintado (SSN-672),
Tunny (SSN-682),
Archerfish (SSN-678),
& Woodrow Wilson (SSBN-624).
As time passes & more boats are retired from service and their reactors are brought here, so the numbers rise. In this photo dated November 2009, 98 nuclear submarines and six nuclear cruisers have been recycled. For an up to date view, click here
USN photo submitted by Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
Insert link courtesy of wikimedia.org

Commanding Officers
01CDR. Brooks, Daniel Philip, USN (USNA 1944)01.10.1958 - 01.10.1959 First Date in Commission
02LCDR. Nicholson, John Harris, USN (USNA 1947) :VADM01.10.1959 - 27.05.1961
03LCDR. Early, Paul John, USN (USNA 1948-A) :RADM27.05.1961 - 15.01.1963
04CDR. Douglass, Robert McIntyre, USN (USNA 1949)15.01.1963 - 26.06.1965
05CDR. Vahsen, George Martin, USN (USNA 1952)26.06.1965 - 16.09.1968
06CDR. Highfill, Kenneth Lee, USN (USNA 1955)16.09.1968 - 17.01.1972
07CDR. McBride, Michael Alexander, USN (USNA 1956)17.01.1972 - 25.07.1975
08CDR. Barfield Jr., Henry Jackson, USN (USNA 1961)25.07.1975 - 06.01.1979
08CDR. Cox, John Hannan, USN (USNA 1962)06.01.1979 - 17.08.1983
10CDR. Holbrook, Robert Scott, USN (USNA 1966)17.08.1983 - 13.07.1985
11CDR. Camp, Richard Michael (Dick), USN13.07.1985 - 26.02.1988 Last Day in Commission
Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler

View the Sargo (SS-583)
DANFS history entry located on the Haze Gray & Underway Web Site.
Crew Contact And Reunion Information
U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation
Fleet Reserve Association

Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest

USS Sargo SSN 583

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