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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive


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Radio Call Sign: November - November - Bravo- Delta

James K. Polk (SSBN-645) (SSN-645)


Benjamin Franklin Class Ballistic Missile Submarine: Laid down, 23 November 1963, at the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corp., Groton, CT.; Launched, 22 May 1965; Commissioned, USS James K. Polk (SSBN-645), 16 April 1966; Reconfigured for special warfare operations, and redesignated Attack Submarine (SSN-645), date unknown; , Decommissioned and simultaneously struck from the Naval Register, 8 July 1999; Final Disposition, disposed of through the NPSSRP (Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program) at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, WA., 26 April 2000.

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.
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James K. Polk205k James Knox Polk, born in Mecklenburg County, N.C., 2 November 1795, served in the U.S. House of Representatives (1825–39), was Speaker of the House (1835–39), and Governor of Tennessee (1839–41) before becoming the eleventh President of the United States 4 March 1845. During his administration the Oregon boundary dispute was settled with Great Britain, tariff was lowered, and the United States acquired the southwestern part of the country from Mexico. Shortly after the end of his one term as president, Polk died in retirement 15 June 1849 at his home in Nashville, Tenn.Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division & submitted by Bill Gonyo.
James K. Polk227kThe James K. Polk (SSBN-645) was sponsored by Mrs. Horacio Rivero, Jr., wife of Admiral Rivero, the Vice Chief of Naval Operations.Photo courtesy of Dale Hargrave.
James K. Polk687kJames K. Polk (SSBN-645) ready for launch. Photo courtesy of Dale Hargrave.
James K. Polk217kLaunching day for the James K. Polk (SSBN-645) at the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corp., Groton, CT., 22 May 1965.Photo courtesy of Dale Hargrave.
James K. Polk263kThe James K. Polk (SSBN-645) is waterborne following her launching on 22 May 1965.USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
James K. Polk 2.41k Nine page PDF Launching program of the James K. Polk (SSBN-645) at the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corp., Groton, CT., 22 May 1965. PDF courtesy of J. Vinny McCrum.
James K. Polk350kCommemorative postal cover marking the launching of James K. Polk (SSBN-645) at the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corp., Groton, CT., at the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corp., Groton, CT., 22 May 1965.Photo courtesy of Paul Petosky.
James K. Polk82kCommemorative postal cover marking the commissioning of the James K. Polk (SSBN-645) at the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corp., Groton, CT., 16 April 1966. Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
James K. Polk304kJames K. Polk (SSBN-645) taken by General Dynamics Electric Boat in 1966. The hull number is clearly visible, as is the forward escape trunk buoy which is still painted orange. Not so discernable, but visible is the ship's name on the after port side of the missile house fairing. General Dynamics Electric Boat photo courtesy of Lew Kennedy ET1(SS).
James K. Polk602kSeven page Welcome Aboard phamplet for the James K. Polk (SSBN-645).USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
James K. Polk151kJames K. Polk (SSBN-645), probably during her sea trials, Spring 1966. Official USN photo courtesy of Wendell Royce McLaughlin Jr.
James K. Polk121kStarboard side view of the James K. Polk (SSBN-645), underway, circa 1973-76. Courtesy of Lew Kennedy ET1(SS).
James K. Polk1.05kInside of James K. Polk (SSBN-645).USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
James K. Polk373k The burst of sun in the western sky and the eagle in flight symbolize the Spread Eagle Platform, on which James K. Polk campaigned for the presidency to which he was elected in 1844. President Polk sought and achieved territorial expansion to the country's natural western borders. This vast area, as we know it now, encompasses nine western states of the Union.
The four stars represent the major land areas acquired during President Polk's term of office - the California Territory, New Mexico Territory, Texas Statehood, and the Oregon Territory.
The field of blue stands for the unity of purpose among the several states and territories for which Polk strived so hard. Finally, the gold edge surrounding the field of blue reflects the foundation of a formal course of education and preparation for Naval Officers at the United States Naval Academy, founded in 1845.
The James K. Polk (SSBN-645) Insignia was designed by Ruth McMullen, wife of Commander Frank McMullen, the 1st Blue crew CO.
Courtesy of Lew Kennedy ET1(SS).
James K. Polk72kU.S. Navy Seal team member removing equipment from external storage spaces aboard the submerged US Navy submarine James K. Polk (SSBN-645), during exercise Phantom Striker off the coast of Key West, Fla., May 1992. USN photo.
James K. Polk87kU.S. Navy Seal team members from swimmer Delivery Team 2 as they prepare a MK-8 minisub for launch from the deck of a submerged James K. Polk (SSBN-645), during exercise Phantom Striker off the coast of Key West, Fla. May 1992. USN photo.
James K. Polk75k U.S. Navy Seal team member being videotaped by Photographer's Mate 1st Class/Diver Slater as he emerges from a hatch in the forward hull of the submerged James K. Polk (SSBN-645). The cameraman is videotaping the Seal as they take part in lock-out procedures off the coast of Key West, Fla in May 1992. USN photo.
James K. Polk70kClose in view of the sail and dry deck shelter (DDS) of the nuclear-powered special operations submarine James K. Polk (SSBN-645) tied up at a pier at Port Everglades, Florida on 4 May 1994. Official USN photo # DN-SC-94-02480, by OS2 John Bouvia, from the Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil. & submitted by Bill Gonyo.
James K. Polk162kA starboard bow view of the nuclear-powered submarine James K. Polk (SSBN-645) moored outboard on the north side of one of the Destroyer and Submarine (D&S) piers at the Norfolk Naval Station. The James K. Polk has been converted into a special operations drydock-shelter-capable platform and is shown carrying the apparatus in this view on 21 May 1994.
The other submarine off her port side is unknown. It appears to be a 688 class.
Official USN photo # DN-ST-95-00966, by Don S. Montgomery, from the Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil. & submitted by Bill Gonyo.
James K. Polk72kJames K. Polk (SSBN-645), port side view with Dry Deck Shelter entering Gibraltar 3rd March 1995.Courtesy of Daniel Ferro.
James K. Polk80kJames K. Polk (SSN-645), circa mid-late 90's.USN photo from COMSUBGRU NINE web site.
James K. Polk215kJames K. Polk (SSBN-645), view with Dry Deck Shelter at Toulon, France in 1999. Courtesy of Laurent LaMarche.
James K. Polk 867k Inactivation and various other memorabillia of the James K. Polk (SSBN-645), January 1999. PDF courtesy of J. Vinny McCrum.
James K. Polk6.61kTwenty nine page Decommissioning Ceremony phamplet for the James K. Polk (SSBN-645) on 8 July 1999.PDF courtesy of J. Vinny McCrum.
James K. Polk76kA full-scale mock-up of a typical nuclear-powered submarine's maneuvering room (possibly) James K. Polk (SSBN-645), Pogy (SSN-647), Sand Lance (SSN-660), or Hawkbill (SSN-666) in which the ship's engineers control the power plant and electrical and steam systems is displayed as part of the submarine exhibit which opened 12 April 2000 to the public at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.
The maneuvering room control panels were significantly modified (read: declassified) for public exhibit.
USN photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Tim Altevogt, courtesy of the Navy Office of Information.
Text courtesy of Paul F. Johnston, Ph.D. Curator of Maritime History.
National Museum of American History
Pogy95kThe forward control station aboard a typical U.S. Navy nuclear-powered submarine (possibly) the James K. Polk (SSBN-645), Pogy (SSN-647), Sand Lance (SSN-660), or Hawkbill (SSN-666) of the Cold War era, showing the ballast control panel, the helm and bow plane controls, is displayed as part of the exhibition which opened 12 April 2000 to the public at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.USN photo # N-5670G-001 by Alan P. Goldstein, Navy Office of Information.
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).
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
James K. Polk1.91kThree photo PDF of the current status (April 2014) of the James K. Polk (SSBN-645).PDF courtesy of Chris Rasmussen.

View the James K. Polk (SSBN-645)
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
Official Home of the USS James K. Polk Alumni Association SSBN/SSN-645
FAS - SSBN-640 Benjamin Franklin-Class Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarines

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