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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive
Patch on left & center contributed by Mike Smolinski, Decal on right by unlimiteddetails.com
Radio Call Sign: November - Delta - Echo - Uniform

Pargo (SSN-650)

Sturgeon Class Attack Submarine: Laid down, 3 June 1964, at the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corp., Groton, CT.: Launched, 17 September 1966; Commissioned, USS Pargo (SSN-650), 5 January 1968; Decommissioned and simultaneously struck from the Naval Register, 14 April 1995; Final Disposition, disposed of through the NPSSRP (Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program) at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, WA., 15 October 1996.

Specifications: Displacement, Surfaced: 3,640 t., Submerged: 4,640 t.; Length 292' 3"; Beam 31' 8"; Draft 28' 8"; Speed, Surfaced 15 kts, Submerged 25 kts; Depth limit 1,300'; Complement 108; Armament, four 21" torpedo tubes amidships aft of bow, MK 48 Torpedoes, UUM-44A SUBROC, UGM-84A/C Harpoon, MK 57 deep water mines, MK 60 CAPTOR mines; Combat Sensors, Radar, BPS-14/15 surface search, Sonars, BQQ-5 multi-function bow mounted, BQR-7 passive in submarines with BQQ-2, BQS-12 active 7, TB-16 or TB-23 towed array, EW Systems, WLQ-4(V), WLR-4(V), WLR-9 ; Propulsion System, one S5W nuclear reactor, two steam turbines, one propeller, 15,000 shp.
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For Full Size Image		SizeImage DescriptionContributed By
Pargo 281k A Pargo, named for Horlopargus Guntheri, an aggressive and voracious member of the Snapper Family.
This plaque was presented to the Pargo's (SS-264) sponsor, Miss Belle W. Baruch, eldest daughter of the Financier Bernard Mannes Baruch, on the occasion of the boat's launching on 24 January 1943. 		Partial text courtesy of usspargo.net. & time.com.
Electric Boat photo courtesy of George K.Chastain, Executive Director of The Belle W. Baruch Foundation.
Pargo57kIn 1952, Steven Angelo White graduated from USC and got a commission to Ensign in the United States Navy. White served on the Manchester (CL-83) in the Korean War. A year and a half later, White was moved to Submarine School and became a Lieutenant (J.G.) shortly afterward. Post-graduation, he was the Engineering Officer on the Tang (SS-563) for two years. He underwent Nuclear Power Training, and, after its completion, went aboard the Nautilus (SSN-571), the first nuclear-powered submarine. He was part of the Nautilus's crew when it reached the North Pole; it was the first ship to ever do so. Due to this remarkable achievement, White, his fellow crew, and the ship were awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. This was the first time the award was given during peace time. In 1960, White was assigned to the Ethan Allen (SSBN-608). There, he was promoted to Lieutenant Commander. He was aboard the ship when it conducted the Christmas Island Test, the first and only fully operational test of a submarine launching a strategic missile with a warhead. From 1964-1966, White was the Force Nuclear Power Training Officer, at first for Deputy Commander Submarine Force, but later for Commander Submarine Force for the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. In 1966, White became a Commander and led the nuclear submarine Pargo (SSN-650) five months later. While in that position, the ship received two awards - Meritorious Unit Citation and the Navy Unit Commendation.USN photo courtesy of Bill Gonyo.
Pargo121kPargo (SSN-650) probably during her shakedown cruise, circa 1967.
USN photo.
Pargo126kPort quarter view of Pargo (SSN-650), probably during her shakedown cruise, circa 1967. Official US Navy photo courtesy of Wendell Royce McLaughlin Jr.
Pargo45kPargo (SSN-650) surfaced above the Arctic Circle, 1969.
US Navy Arctic Submarine Laboratory
Sturgeon Class43k Oil on canvas painting by the artist Jim Christley entitled "Trailing".
During the Cold War the US Naval Submarine Force was tasked with keeping tabs on Soviet Naval movements in particular, the Soviet Submarine Force. Submarines of the Sturgeon Class were well suited to this task and often trailed Soviet submarines for days reporting on their movements and recording noise signatures. In this image, such a trailing has turned into a close aboard encounter as a Soviet Viktor III Class has turned to port to check his baffles (to listen to see if anyone is immediately astern). A trailing Sturgeon has stopped his screw and gone quiet. Extending far behind the US submarine is its towed array sonar which assists in giving a clear picture of the ocean’s acoustics 		Photo & text courtesy of subart.net.
Submerged submarines145kSubmerged submarines in tandem.U.S. Navy Photo courtesy of Robert Hall.
Pargo178kCrewmen aboard the nuclear-powered attack submarine Pargo (SSN-650) carefully receive a Mk 48 Mod 1 torpedo into the torpedo room. US Navy photo courtesy of Robert Hurst.
Photo added 06/14/11.
Pargo144kPargo (SSN-650) sails the sEas. US Navy photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
Photo added 06/14/11.
Pargo302kPargo (SSN-650) in the Caribbean Sea off the coast of Andros Island at sunrise, circa 1969-73.
Photo courtesy of Reed Clarke MM-2 (ELT).
Text courtesy of David A. Van Oosteryk MM1(SS).
Pargo86kPargo (SSN-650) surfaced above the Arctic Circle, circa 1969-73.
Courtesy of Reed Clarke MM-2 (ELT).
Pargo120kPargo (SSN-650) after an emergency blow from test depth, circa 1969-73.
Photo courtesy of Reed Clarke MM-2 (ELT).
Text courtesy of David A. Van Oosteryk MM1(SS).
Pargo50kCommemorative post marking the 650th dive of the Pargo (SSN-650), 29 March 1978.
Courtesy of Jack Treutle.
Pargo290kCrewmen aboard the nuclear-powered attack submarine Pargo (SSN-650) make ready to tie the boat up at Zeebrugge, Belgium on 15 October 1983. Photo courtesy of G.Gyssels.
Photo added 06/14/11.
Pargo441k CDR David W. Hearding, commanding officer of the nuclear-powered attack submarine Pargo (SSN-650), looks through the submarine's periscope while underway north of the Arctic Circle, Apr 1991.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph # DN-SC-92-04520, by JO2 Oscar Sosa, from the Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
Pargo492k Crew members monitor equipment in the control room aboard the nuclear-powered attack submarine Pargo (SSN-650), 6 Apr 1991.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph # DN-SC-92-04538, by JO2 Oscar Sosa, from the Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
Pargo96kA mess management specialist aboard the nuclear-powered attack submarine Pargo (SSN-650) prepares to remove a pan of meat from the oven. The Pargo is underway north of the Arctic Circle.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph # DN-SC-92-04525, by JO2 Oscar Sosa, from the Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil. & submitted by Bill Gonyo.
Pargo171k The crew of the nuclear-powered attack submarine Pargo (SSN-650) eats dinner. The Pargo is underway north of the Arctic Circle, 6 Apr 1991.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph # DN-SC-92-04528, by JO2 Oscar Sosa, from the Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil. & submitted by Bill Gonyo.
Pargo234k A chief petty officer gives some instructions to CAPT Dorothy A. Prose, executive assistant to the undersecretary of the Navy, as she tries her hand at steering the nuclear-powered attack submarine Pargo (SSN-650), 6 Apr 1991.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph # DN-SC-92-04540, by JO2 Oscar Sosa, from the Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil. & submitted by Bill Gonyo.
Pargo327kCrew members gather near the sail of the nuclear-powered attack submarine Pargo (SSN-650) shortly after the vessel surfaced through the ice, 6 Apr 1991.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph # DN-ST-92-00860, by JO2 Oscar Sosa, from the Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
Pargo158k Crewmen and a group of official visitors stand on the ice atop the hull of the nuclear-powered attack submarine Pargo (SSN-650) north of the Arctic Circle on 6 Apr 1991.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph # DN-SC-92-04581, by JO2 Oscar Sosa, from the Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil. & submitted by Bill Gonyo.
Pargo57kPargo (SSN-650) and a Canadian Huey at Ice Camp Fogg, May 1991.USN photo.
Pargo53kPostal cover of the Pargo's (SSN-650) visit to the North Pole, 12 Sept. 1993. Courtesy of Jack Treutle.
Pargo20kCommemorative post marking the Pargo's (SSN-650) return to homeport following her visit to the North Pole, 19 November 1993.Courtesy of Jack Treutle.
Pargo34kPargo (SSN-650) surfaced above the Arctic Circle, possibly 1993.
US Navy Arctic Submarine Laboratory
Pargo22kPargo (SSN-650) in 1/192 scale cast solid resin.
Model and photo by Ken Hart.
Pargo563kPargo (SSN-650) Inactivation program listing the former and current CO's of the boat. Courtesy of Ron Reeves.
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.
View the Pargo (SSN-650)
DANFS history entry located on the Haze Gray & Underway
Crew Contact And Reunion Information
U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation
Fleet Reserve Association
Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
FAS--SSN-637 Sturgeon class
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