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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive

Patches contributed by Mike Smolinski

Halibut (SSGN-587) (SSN-587)
Keel Laying - Launching

Radio Call Sign: November - Alpha - Quebec - Hotel

To Additional Pages

Commissioning
Active Career - Decommissioning

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from left to right
Presidential Unit Citation - Navy Unit Commendation (3) - National Defense Service Medal

Halibut Class Guided Missile Submarine: Laid down, 11 April 1957, at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, CA.; Launched, 9 January 1959; Commissioned, USS Halibut (SSGN-587), 4 January 1960; Converted to an Attack Submarine at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, 6 February 1975 to 6 September 1975, Redesignated (SSN-587), 15 April 1975; Decommissioned, 30 June 1976; Laid up awaiting disposal through the Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program (NPSSRP) at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, WA., at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, WA.; Struck from the Naval Register, 30 April 1986; Final Disposition; disposed of through NPSSRP, 9 September 1994.

Specifications: Displacement, Surfaced: 3,655 t., Submerged: 5,000 t.; Length 350' ; Beam 29'; Complement 9 Officers 88 Enlisted; Armament, one Regulus missile launcher, (could carry *five* Regulus I missiles, and potentially could have carried the Reg II but that program was cancelled before it ever got the chance), six 21" torpedo tubes; Propulsion, S3G nuclear reactors, **double five bladed propellers. **(Contributed by Don Hulse, EMC9SS0 USN RET).

Size	Image Description	Source
217k	Hull section #4 for the Halibut (SSGN-587) is being prepared for lifting by *YD-33* at Mare Island's berth 15 and moved to the building ways on 15 Mar 1957.	U.S. Navy photo # 34302-5-57, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
137k	Hull section #4 for the Halibut (SSGN-587) is being lifted by *YD-33* at Mare Island's berth 15 and moved to the building ways on 15 Mar 1957.	U.S. Navy photo # 343045-57, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
88k	RADM Martin J. Lawrence altercated the keel of the Halibut (SSGN-587) on 11 Apr 1957 at Mare Island as seen in this news clipping.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
299k	General view of the keel laying ceremonies for Halibut (SSGN-587) at Mare Island on 11 April 1957.	U.S. Navy photo # 33878-4-57, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
70k	A news clipping showing the scene at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 11 Apr 1957 during the keel lying of the Halibut (SSGN-587). The large arrow on the left is pointing to a model of the Regulus missile.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
192k	Honorary keel layers of the Halibut (SSGN-587) stand at attention on 11 Apr 1957 at Mare Island while the national anthem is played. On the platform, left to right, are I. H. Witthonrne, pipe shop master; Capt. Edward J. Fahy, production officer; George K. O 'Hara, master electronics mechanic, and Ross Gibbons, retired chief engineer.	U.S. Navy photo # 338883-4-57, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
146k	Forward hull section of Halibut (SSGN-587) is being moved via a 85 ton trailer and dual tractors from the structural shop to the building ways at Mare Island in September 1957.	U.S. Navy photo # 36576-9-57, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
224k	A forward hull section of the then (SSBN-600) arrives at the building ways at Mare Island on 22 Sep 1958. The bow of the Halibut (SSGN-587) is to the right.	U.S. Navy photo # 41183-9-58, courtesy of Darryl Baker. Photo added 10/22/06.
299k	Sign at the head of building ways for Halibut (SSGN-587) at Mare Island on 17 Nov 1958 announcing that there are only 32 production days remaining to launch date.	U.S. Navy photo # 42042-11-58, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
156k	Workers making preparation for the launching of Halibut (SSGN-587) at Mare Island in November 1958.	U.S. Navy photo # 42058-11-58, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
151k	Aft section of the launching cradle for Halibut (SSGN-587) as seen at Mare Island in November 1958.	U.S. Navy photo # 42059-11-58, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
70k	Ľ scale mockup of a Regulus missile in firing position aboard the Halibut (SSGN-587), dated 12/17/1958	U.S. Navy photo # NY9-42425-12-58, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
89k	The Halibut (SSGN-587) on the building ways at Mare Island. Note that the ship is on an incline and there are rails under the launch cradle (wooden blocking). This picture was taken in the early morning shortly before her launching. The five vertical supports on the left would removed before launching. The keel of the Theodore Roosevelt (SSGN-600) is seen on the ways to the right of *Halibut*.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Nick Spark. Text courtesy of Darryl Baker.
284k	The boat riders are in place (hurry-up and wait for the VIPs) for the launching of Halibut (SSGN-587) at Mare Island on 9 Jan 1959. The hull of the Theodore Roosevelt (SSGN-600) is seen on the ways to the left of Halibut.	U.S. Navy photo # 42661-1-59, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
49k	The Halibut (SSGN-587) is ready for her launching at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 9 Jan 1959. The keel of the Theodore Roosevelt (SSGN-600) is seen on the ways to the left of Halibut.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
138k	The Halibut (SSGN-587) is seen just prior to her launching at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 9 Jan 1959. The keel of the Theodore Roosevelt (SSGN-600) is on the ways to the right.	U.S. Navy photo # NY9-42606-1-59, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
103k	Mrs. Chet Holifield, sponsor, christens the Halibut (SSGN-587) at Mare Island on 9 Jan 1959. Assisting Mrs. Holifield are Capt E. R. Tilburne, production officer is on the left and RADM M. J. Lawrence, shipyard commander is on the right.	U.S. Navy Photo # 42621-1-59, courtesy of Darryl Baker. Photo added 07/28/07.
44k	Mrs. Chet Holifield, sponsor, is shown with the bottle on champagne to be used to christen the Halibut (SSGN-587) at Mare Island on 9 Jan 1959. RADM M. J. Lawrence, shipyard commander is shown center and Capt E. R. Tilburne, production officer is on the right.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
55k	The Halibut (SSGN-587) is at the end of ways during her launching at Mare Island on 9 Jan 1959.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
58k	The front cover of the Launching Program of the Halibut (SSGN-587) at Mare Island on 9 January 1959.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
90k	Pages 1 and 2 of the Launching Program of the Halibut (SSGN-587) at Mare Island on 9 January 1959.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
67k	Back page of the Launching Program of the Halibut (SSGN-587) at Mare Island on 9 January 1959.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
44k	The Halibut (SSGN-587) is seen entering dry dock #2 on 13 Jan 1959 and she remained in dock until 24 Feb 1959.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
61k	The Halibut (SSGN-587) is seen in dry dock #2 sometime between 13 Jan 1959 and 24 Feb 1959.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
187k	Steering and Diving control station for Halibut (SSGN-587) prior to installation aboard ship.	U.S. Navy photo # 43099-2-59, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
324k	Amidships looking forward plan view of Halibut (SSGN-587) being outfitted at Mare Island on 1 April 1959.	U.S. Navy photo # 43833-4-59, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
274k	Aft plan view of Halibut (SSGN-587) being outfitted at Mare Island on 1 April 1959.	U.S. Navy photo # 43834-4-59, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
59k	The Halibut (SSGN-587) is seen in dry dock #2 on 9 May 1959 during core loading and she remained in dock until 14 Jun 1959.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
299k	Amidships looking forward plan view of Halibut (SSGN-587) being outfitted at Mare Island in August 1959. Forward of *Halibut* is *YSR-6* (Big W) bilge wheelerizing barge and Theodore Roosevelt (SSBN-600) just visible on the building ways behind *YSR-6* to the right.	U.S. Navy photo # 45615-8-59, courtesy of Darryl Baker.