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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive

Contributed by Mike Smolinski

Scamp (SSN-588)
Sea Trials & Commissioning

Radio Call Sign: November - Golf - Yankee - Oscar

To Additional Pages

Keel Laying - Launching
Active Service & Disposal

Skipjack Class Attack Submarine: Laid down, 23 January 1959, at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, CA.; Launched, 8 October 1960; Commissioned, USS Scamp (SSN-588), 5 June 1961; Decommissioned and struck from the Naval Register, 28 April 1988; Final Disposition, disposed through NPSSRP (Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program) at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, WA., completed 9 September 1994. Scamp earned three battle stars for service in the Vietnam War.

Specifications: Displacement, Surfaced: 2,880 t., Submerged: 3,500 t.; Length 251' 9"; Beam 32'; Draft 28 ft.; Speed, Surfaced 15 kts, Submerged 30+ kts; Depth Limit 700'; Complement 118; Combat Systems, Sonar, BQR-12, BQR-2 passive, BQS-4 (modified) active/passive; Radar BPS-12; Fire Control, MK-101 torpedo FCS, ASW MK-48; Armament, six 21" torpedo tubes, forward; Propulsion System, one S5W nuclear reactor, two Westinghouse steam turbines, one propeller 15,000 shp.

Size	Image Description	Contributed By
148k	Scamp (SSN-588) pier side at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in early May 1961 shortly before her commissioning. Diving barge is alongside and it appears they are cleaning the hull.	USN photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
90k	Scamp (SSN-588) pier side at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 9 May 1961 about to go out on trails.	USN photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
161k	Scamp (SSN-588) at flank speed on sea trail on 9 May 61.	U.S. Navy photo # NY9 51477-5-61, contributed by Darryl Baker.
93k	Scamp (SSN-588) departing San Francisco Bay in May 1961.	U.S. Navy photo # MSA 51504-5-61, contributed by Darryl Baker.
196k	Scamp (SSN-588) is in dry dock 3 at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 5 Jun 61 for her commissioning ceremony.	U.S. Navy photo # NY9 51587-6-61, contributed by Darryl Baker.
53k	Front and back pages of Scamp's (SSN-588) commissioning program.	USN photo # 51592-6-61, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
61k	Inside pages of Scamp's (SSN-588) commissioning program.	USN photo # 51592-6-61, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
67k	Walter N. Dietzen, Jr. CDR-USN. Hailing from Chattanooga, TN, “Buck” graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1944. After completing Submarine School, he made two war patrols aboard Tirante (SS-420) where he served until 1946. He then transferred to Raton (SS-270) and Baya (SS-318), Executive Officer of the latter from 1952 to 1954. He then went to Naval War College, graduating in 1955, and then to Commanding Officer Cubera (SS-347). After tours at the Bureau of Naval Personnel and Naval Reactors, he was assigned in 1960 as Commanding Officer Scamp (SSN-588), where he built, launched, commissioned and commanded her until 21 Dec 1962. He subsequently commanded Woodrow Wilson (SSBN-624) Gold, from 1963 to 1966. After graduation from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 1967 he served as Deputy Director Submarine Warfare Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations; Chief Navy Section, Military Mission for Aid to Turkey; Director Deep Submergence Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and finally, the Deputy Assistant Chief of Naval Operations for Anti-Submarine Warfare. He retired from active duty on 30 August 1975 as Rear Admiral.	USN photo courtesy of Bill Gonyo.
67k	CDR W. N. Dietzen, Jr. new commanding officer of Scamp (SSN-588) speaks at the commissioning of the submarine at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 5 June 1961.	USN photo # 51592-6-61, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
124k	Commissioning dignitaries rendering honors during the commissioning of the Scamp (SSN-588) on 5 June 61 at Mare Island Naval Shipyard. From left to right: VADM F. N. Kivette, USN, Commander, Western Sea Frontier; RADM L. V. Honsinger, USN, Shipyard Commander; and TMC(SS) H. M. Jester, Chief of the Boat *Scamp*.	U.S. Navy photo # NY9 51588-6-61, contributed by Darryl Baker.
124k	Colors raised on the Scamp (SSN-588) for the first time on 5 Jun 61 at Mare Island Naval Shipyard.	U.S. Navy photo # NY9 51594-6-61, contributed by Darryl Baker.
19k	Scamp (SSN-588) commissioning stamp, 5 June 1961.	Courtesy of Richard Leonhardt.
92k	Launching first day cover for the Scamp (SSN-588), 5 June 1961 at Mare Island Naval Shipyard.	Contributed by Darryl Baker.
92k	The boats' company salutes the national Ensign for the first time as a commissioned vessel, 5 June 1961.	US Navy photo # NY9-51593-6-61, courtesy of San Francisco NARA, "Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Ship Files" & submitted by Tracy White. Photo added 06/27/08.
71k	Dockside, three days after commissioning, 8 June 1961.	US Navy photo # NY9-51664-6-61, courtesy of San Francisco NARA, "Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Ship Files" & submitted by Tracy White. Photo added 06/27/08.
75k	Scamp (SSN-588) underway, off the coast of California possibly during her shakedown period.	US Navy photo # 58913, courtesy of San Francisco NARA, "Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Ship Files" & submitted by Tracy White. Photo added 06/27/08.