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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive


Contributed by Mike Smolinski
Radio Call Sign: November - Tango- Novemeber- Lima

Patrick Henry (SSBN / SSN-599)

George Washington Class Ballistic Missile Submarine: Laid down, 27 May 1958, as the (SSBN-599), at the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corp., Groton, CT; Launched, 22 September 1959; Commissioned, USS Patrick Henry (SSBN-599), 11 April 1960; Reclassified (SSN-599), 24 October 1981; Decommissioned, 25 May 1984; Struck from the Naval Register, 16 December 1985; Final Disposition, disposed of through Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program, 31 August 1997 at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, WA.

Specifications: Displacement, Surfaced: 5,900 t., Submerged: 6,700 t.; Length 381' 8" ; Beam 33'; Draft 29'; Speed, Surfaced 20 kts, Submerged 25 kts; Complement 112; Test Depth 700'; Armament, 16 Polaris missile tubes; six 21" torpedo tubes, Propulsion, S5W Pressurized Water Nuclear Reactor, two geared turbines at 15,000 shp, one propeller.
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Patrick Henry93kOil on canvas, 1891 ca. entitled "Patrick Henry" by the artist George Bagby Matthews (1857 - 1943) after Thomas Sully".
Patrick Henry, born in Hanover Co., Va., in 1736, was licensed to practice law in 1760 and became an immediate success. On 20 May 1765 he became a member of the House of Burgesses, defending the western and northern counties against the tidewater region. He was the leader of a new party between 1765 and 1770, thereafter consolidating the opposition to Great Britian.
Chosen delegate to the first Continental Congress, he supported radical, nationalistic measures. On 20 March 1775, at an assembly meeting in Richmond, he uttered his famous saying "Give me liberty, or give me death." In May 1776 he was elected Governor of Virginia and twice reelected. He was Governor again 1784–86. He died at Red Hill Plantation, Charlotte Co., Va., 1799.
Photo & text courtesy of senate.gov & submitted by Bill Gonyo.
Submarine Silhouettes 1960179kSubmarine Silhouettes of 1960:
Nautilus (SSN-571), Seawolf (SSN-575), Skate (SSN-578), Skipjack (SS-585), Triton (SSRN-586), Halibut (SSGN-587), Thresher (SSN-593), Tullibee (SSN-597), George Washington (SSBN-598), & Ethan Allen (SSBN-608) classes.
U.S. Navy Photograph 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 (SS-585) classes,
Halibut (SSGN-587) & Tullibee (SSN-597) classes,
George Washington (SSBN-598) &
Thresher (SSN-593) classes. 		US Navy photo courtesy of Ron Titus courtesy of Ingersoll-Rand. Corp.
Photo i.d. courtesy of Dave Johnston.
Patrick Henry142kThe Patrick Henry (SSBN-599) meets the Atlantic Ocean on 22 September 1959.USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
Photo added 06/24/11.
Patrick Henry718kLaunching Program PDF of the Patrick Henry (SSBN-599). PDF courtesy of Darryl Baker.
Patrick Henry66kCapt. Harold E. Shear with a birds eye view from his perch atop the Patrick Henry (SSBN-599) shortly after launch 9 March 1960.
US Navy photo. Partial text courtesy of Jack Treutle.
Patrick Henry355k Patrick Henry (SSBN-599) trial by water on April 1960.USN photo # USN 1047431, courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
Photo added 06/24/11.
Patrick Henry109kThe US sub Patrick Henry (SSBN-599) during the firing of a Polaris missile in Newport, RI., July 1960.
The photo actually shows a test of the missile ejection system. A real missile would have never been shot this close to shore with boats around and men standing on the forward deck.		Photographer: Joseph Scherschel, courtesy of time.com. via / images.google.com & Life.Text i.d. courtesy of Dave Johnston.
Patrick Henry70kA truly happy smile lights up President Dwight D. Eisenhower's face while at the controls of the Patrick Henry (SSBN-599), July 1960.
 USN photo courtesy of Jack Treutle /Jim Warrick, FTCS SS USN Ret. Gold 1962-1969.
Patrick Henry115kThe back of the grin on President Dwight D. Eisenhower's face while at the controls of the Patrick Henry (SSBN-599), July 1960.
Photographer: Joseph Scherschel, courtesy of time.com. via / images.google.com & Life.
Patrick Henry128kBow view, topside of the Patrick Henry (SSBN-599) on 22 July 1960.USN photo # NPC 1051228, courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
Photo added 06/24/11.
Patrick Henry104kPatrick Henry (SSBN-599) with President Dwight D. Eisenhower and his party on board, August 1960. The Presidential boat Barbara Anne is alongside.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph # NH 68576, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center & submitted by Bill Gonyo.
Patrick Henry68kAdmiral Arleigh A. Burke, USN, Chief of Naval Operations,on board Patrick Henry (SSBN-599) during the countdown for a "Polaris" missile launch, off Cape Canaveral, Florida, 22 September 1960. The man at right is Stephen D. Gage.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph # NH 55875, courtesy of the USNHC.
Patrick Henry59kCapt. Harold E. Shear & on the left and CO R.L.J. Long JR. on right, aboard the Patrick Henry (SSBN-599), 1960.
Courtesy of Jack Treutle /Jim Warrick, FTCS SS USN Ret. Gold Crew, 1962-1969.
Patrick Henry25kCommemorative post card marking the first Polaris missle fired by Patrick Henry's (SSBN-599) Gold crew, 20 Oct. 1960.
Courtesy of Jack Treutle, Gold Crew, 1962-1969.
AS-19/SSBN-599288kTransfer of a Polaris Missile between Patrick Henry (SSBN-599) and Proteus (AS-19) at Holy Loch, Dunoon, Scotland, 11 March 1961. US Navy photo # NPC 1053952, courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
Photo added 06/24/11.
AS-19/SSBN-599110kTransfer of a Polaris Missile between Patrick Henry (SSBN-599) and Proteus (AS-19) at Holy Loch, Dunoon, Scotland, 11 March 1961. US Navy photo.
Patrick Henry98kCapt. Walter Schlech (L) w. Cmdr. Robert Long (R) on the bridge of Polaris Missile sub Patrick Henry (SSBN-599) in Scotland, December 1961.
Photographer: John Dominis, courtesy of time.com. via / images.google.com & Life.
Patrick Henry107kPolaris missile sub Patrick Henry (SSBN-599) cruising on Clyde River on patrol.
Photographer: John Dominis, courtesy of time.com. via / images.google.com & Life.
Patrick Henry141kFrogmen on board the Polaris missile sub Patrick Henry (SSBN-599) checking for any underwater damage, December 1961.
Photographer: John Dominis, courtesy of time.com. via / images.google.com & Life.
Patrick Henry54k Patrick Henry (SSBN-599) returning from patrol, early 1960s.
Courtesy of Jack Treutle /Jim Warrick, FTCS SS USN Ret. Gold Crew, 1962-1969.
Patrick Henry156kPatrick Henry (SSBN-599) off Guam, 1976.
USN photo # 137437-7-76 courtesy of Darryl Baker.
Patrick Henry13kThe last Polaris missle fired by Patrick Henry's (SSBN-599) Gold crew leaves the boat sometime during the late 1970's.
Courtesy of Jack Treutle, Gold Crew, 1962-1969.
Patrick Henry213kCrewmembers of the Patrick Henry (SSBN-599) on the missle deck.USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
Photo added 06/24/11.
Patrick Henry111kStern view in drydock.USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
Photo added 06/24/11.
Patrick Henry391kPatrick Henry (SSBN-599) gets sandblasted in drydock. USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
Photo added 06/24/11.
Patrick Henry93kPatrick Henry (SSBN-599) following overhaul. USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
Photo added 06/24/11.
Patrick Henry122kDecommissioning of the Patrick Henry (SSBN-599) on 25 May 1984. USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
Photo added 06/24/11.
Patrick Henry505kRemoval of the missile compartment. USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
Photo added 06/24/11.
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 (SS-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 U.S. Navy Photograph # 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 (USN).
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 (SS-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.
Scrapping 25kCommemorative post card marking the scrapping of the Seawolf (SSN-575), Snook (SSN-592), Patrick Henry (SSBN-599), Henry Clay (SSBN-625) and Baton Rouge (SSN-689), 31 August 1997 at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, WA.
Courtesy of Jack Treutle.
Reactor Compartments83kTrench 94, Hanford Site, Washington, 1994. Hull sections containing defueled reactor compartments of decommissioned nuclear-powered submarines are put in disposal trenches. Once full, the trench will be filled with dirt and buried. The compartments are expected to retain their integrity for more than 600 years. USN photo & partial text courtesy of home.flash.net/~tomj/tunny/chop/rx. & submitted by Jack Treutle.
Spent Fuel569kSealed 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 spent fuel 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 (SS-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).
USN photo & partial text courtesy of home.flash.net/~tomj/tunny/chop/rx. & submitted by Jack Treutle.
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard 185k Moored submarines awaiting their final fate at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, WA sometime in 1996: From left to right:
Shark (SSN-591),
Plunger (SSN-595),
Snook (SSN-592) &
Patrick Henry (SSBN-599). 		Photograph courtesy of Ray Arntson via btrosper.com.
View the Patrick Henry (SSBN 599)
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
U.S.S. Patrick Henry SSBN-599
FAS - SSBN-598 George Washington-Class FBM Submarines
HISTORIC SUBMARINE DOCUMENTARY AND TRAINING FILMS
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