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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive

Patch at left contributed by Mike Smolinski

Kamehameha (SSBN-642) (SSN-642)
Keel Laying - Launching

Radio Call Sign: November - Sierra- Kilo- Uniform

To Additional Pages

Commissioning
Active Service - Decommissioning

Benjamin Franklin Class Ballistic Missile Submarine: Laid down, 2 May 1963, at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, CA.; Launched, 16 January 1965; Commissioned, USS Kamehameha (SSBN-642), 10 December 1965; Reconfigured for special warfare operations and redesignated, Attack Submarine (SSN-642), in July 1992; Decommissioned and struck from the Naval Register, 2 April 2002; Final Disposition, undergoing disposal through the NPSSRP (Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program) at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, WA.

SSBN Specifications: Displacement, Surfaced: 7,325 t., Submerged: 8,251 t.; Length 425'; Beam 33'; Draft 29'; Speed, Surfaced 16 kts, Submerged 21 kts; Depth limit 1,300'; Complement 140 (each crew, blue and gold); Armament, 16 missile tubes; four 21" torpedo tubes, forward, MK 14/16 Anti-ship Torpedo MK 37 Anti-Submarine Torpedo, MK 45 ASTOR Nuclear Torpedo MK 48 Anti-Submarine Torpedo ; Combat Sensors, BPS-11A or BPS-15 surface-search radar, BQR-7 sonar, BQR-15 towed-array sonar, BQR-19 sonar, BQR-21 sonar, BQS-4 sonar Propulsion, S5W nuclear reactor two geared steam turbines, 15,000 SHP, one propeller.

Size	Image Description	Source
145k	The plate marking the keel laying of the Kamehameha (SSBN-642) at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 2 May 1963. The hull was not named *Kamehameha* until 10 May 1963.	US Navy photo # MSA 58912-5-63, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
155k	A photo of the keel laying party for the Kamehameha (SSBN-642) at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 2 May 1963. From left to right: Capt. Paul F. Straub (Shipyard Production Officer); Keel-layers Guido J. Rosati (Head, Industrial Hygiene) and George L. Morgan (Quarterman Stockman, Supply Dept.); RADM Edward J. Fahy (Shipyard Commander); Keel-layers Wayne G. Scott (Master Welder) and Sam Inzalaco (Master Painter); and LCDR McLaughlin. (Note that the ship's name does not appear on the sign in the background since the hull was not named until 10 May 1963).	US Navy photo # MSA 58913-5-63, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
91k	RADM Edward J. Fahy (Shipyard Commander) stamps his initials on keel plate of the (SSBN-642) at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 2 May 1963. The entire keel-laying ceremony required only six minutes.	US Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
369k	Daniel Boone (SSBN-629) is being prepared for launching at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 22 June 1963. Note: Kamehameha (SSBN-642) is under construction on the ways to the left.	USN photo MSA 59595-6-63, contributed by Darryl Baker.
210k	This photo appeared in the 11 Dec 1964 issue of Mare Island's newspaper the "Grapevine". Caption reads: "Another Polaris missile launch tube assembly is rigged for landing aboard Kamehameha (SSBN-642). Next week the last of 16 such will be in place on the "the 642" a full month before the submarine slides down the building ways. Although the Yard has launched FM subs with all of the old-type :inner tubes" aboard, this ship will be the first to have all 16 of the foam-cushioned assemblies when she leaves the ways".	US Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
172k	This photo of the building shed for Kamehameha (SSBN-642) at Mare Island Naval Shipyard circa 1964 appeared in the North American Aviation, Inc. Magazine "Skyline" Vol. 22, Number 3 in 1964.	US Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
339k	A bow view of the Kamehameha (SSBN-642) taken on 15 Jan 1965, being prepared for launching on following day at Mare Island Naval Shipyard.	US Navy photo # MSA 66266-1-65, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
172k	A view of the forward poppet of the launch cradle for the Kamehameha (SSBN-642) on 15 Jan 1965 at Mare Island Naval Shipyard.	US Navy photo # MSA 66267-1-65, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
165k	The Kamehameha (SSBN-642) launch trigger. Photo taken 15 Jan 1965 at Mare Island Naval Shipyard.	US Navy photo # MSA 66268-1-65, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
188k	Mare Island Naval Shipyard Shipwrights are shown preparing for the launching of the Kamehameha (SSBN-642) on 15 Jan 1965.	US Navy photo # MSA 66260-1-65, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
48k	Commemorative postal cover marking the launching of the Kamehameha (SSBN-642) at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 16 Jan 1965.	US Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
90k	Commemorative postal cover marking the launching of the Kamehameha (SSBN-642) at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 16 Jan 1965.	Courtesy of Jack Tretule.
196k	Kamehameha (SSBN-642) just prior to her launching at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 16 Jan. 1965.	US Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker. Photo scanned from original negatives courtesy of By Design, Benicia, CA
242k	Kamehameha (SSBN-642) is seen in dry dock 3 at Mare Island on 16 Jan 1965 after her launch. She was in dock to drop her launching cradle.	US Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker. Photo scanned from original negatives courtesy of By Design, Benicia, CA
127k	Mrs. Samuel WIlder King, Sponsor of the Kamehameha (SSBN-642) is shown christening the ship at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 16 Jan 1965. Assisting her are RADM Edward J. Fahy, Shipyard Commander, (left) and Capt Norbert Frankenberger, Shipyard Production Officer.	US Navy photo # MSA 66283-1-65, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
80k	Mrs. Samuel Wilder King, Sponsor of the Kamehameha (SSBN-642) is shown with the Matron of Honor Mrs. Robert B. Ebert at the reception marking the ship's launching at Mare Island on 16 Jan 1965.	US Navy photo # MSA 66292-1-65, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
177k	Honors are rendered to Senator Daniel K. Inquye at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 16 Jan 1965. The Senator was a speaker at the launching of the Kamehameha (SSBN-642). Note the tropical decorations in the ceremony area.	US Navy photo # MSA 66273-1-65, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
92k	Senator Daniel K. Inouye (Hawaii) was one of the guest speakers at the launching of the Kamehameha (SSBN-642) at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 16 Jan 1965.	US Navy photo # MSA 66280-1-65, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
122k	RADM Edward J. Fahy, USN (Shipyard Commander), RADM Eugene B. Fluckey, USN (Commander Submarine Force, Pacific), RADM Richard H. O'Kane, USN (Ret), and Capt George L. Street, III are shown at the launching reception for the Kamehameha (SSBN-642) at Mare Island on 16 Jan 1965. Admirals Fluckey and O'Kane and Capt Street are noted World War II submarine commanders.	US Navy photo # MSA 66300-1-65, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
321k	Mrs. Samuel Wilder King (Ship's Sponsor) is prepared to christen the Kamehameha (SSBN-642) at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 16 Jan 1965. *Kamehameha* was the yard's sixth Polaris and 11th nuclear-powered submarine. The hull of the Gurnard (SSN 662) being constructed on the ways to the right.	US Navy photo # MSA 66282-1-65, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
291k	The Kamehameha (SSBN-642) is half way down the ways at her launching at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 16 Jan 1965.	US Navy photo # MSA 66284-1-65, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
326k	The Kamehameha (SSBN-642) is at the end of the ways at her launching at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 16 Jan 1965.	US Navy photo # MSA 66286-1-65, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
232k	The Kamehameha (SSBN-642) is waterborne after her launching at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 16 Jan 1965.	US Navy photo # 66345-1-65, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
195k	A boardside view of the Kamehameha (SSBN-642) after her launching at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 16 Jan 1965.	US Navy photo # 66289-1-65, courtesy of Darryl Baker.