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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive

Patches contributed by Mike Smolinski

Gurnard (SSN-662)
Keel Laying - Launching

Radio Call Sign: November - Alpha - Xray - Quebec

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Sea Trials & Commissioning
Active Service

Sturgeon Class Attack Submarine: Laid down, 22 December 1964, at Mare Island Naval Shipbuilding, Vallejo, CA.: Launched, 20 May 1967; Commissioned, USS Gurnard (SSN-662), 6 December 1968; Decommissioned and simultaneously struck from the Naval Register, 28 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 1997.

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.

Size	Image Description	Contributed By
67k	Clipping from the 22 Dec 1964 issue of Vallejo's paper the The News Evening Chronicle. Caption: Honorary keel layers pose with RADM Edward J. Fahy, USN, Mare Island Navy Yard Commander, after keel laying ceremonies for the fast attack submarine (SSN-662) (She wasn't named at the time) early today. Pictured from left to right, are Louis K. Moore, Leadingman Truck Driver; Wallace W. Clark, Master of the Machine Group; RADM Edward J. Fahy, USN; Francis W. Derr, Administrative Division Head, and Fire Chief James Greig.	Courtesy of Darryl Baker.
147k	Clipping from the 22 Dec 1964 issue of Vallejo's paper, The News Evening Chronicle. Caption: RADM Edward J. Fahy, USN, Mare Island Navy Yard Commander, stamps his initials on the keel plate of the (SSN-662), as the first hull section of the fast attack submarine was placed on the building ways today. The unnamed submarine will be the shipyard's 507th ship and 13th nuclear powered submarine.	Courtesy of Darryl Baker.
153k	This montage of the construction evolution for the Gurnard (SSN 662) at Mare Islands appeared in the 20 Aug 1965 issue of Mare Island's newspaper the Grapevine. Caption reads: "Upper Right picture of *Gurnard's* main seawater valve being poured in Shop 81 is first in point of time. Walt Sobotor is at the ladle as the 3000-degree batch of HY-80 steel is poured into the mold. Last week in Shop 31, Machine Operator Ted Randle has a similar value on his horizontal mill. Operation shown at upper left is facing of the valve body. Lower left picture shows Molders Ed Hasson (left) and George Allen, Jr., in Foundry making a final check of the core before the cope of the mold is lowered into place. What is seen is only one-third of the vertical stabilizer tip (four complete ones are needed on "the (662)"). Formerly shaped and welded, these are now cast-a cost reduction item. Below, right: stern section grows in Structural Shop. Welder (above) is Kenneth Hepler; Shipfitter Frank Palagi (below, right) is with Apprentice Ronald Smith, who is grinding.	Courtesy of Darryl Baker.
321k	Mrs. Samuel Wilder King (Ship's Sponsor) is prepared to christen the Kamehameha (SSN-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) is being constructed on the ways to the right.	US Navy photo # MSA 66282-1-65, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
29k	Photo of Mrs. George P. Miller, Sponsor for the launching the Gurnard (SSN-662) at Mare Island on 20 May 1967. Photo from the 12 May 1967 issue of Mare Island's newspaper.	Courtesy of Darryl Baker.
618k	Montage of photos covering the construction of the Gurnard (SSN-662). Photo from the 19 May 1967 issue of Mare Island Naval Shipyard newspaper. Caption reads: HOW *Gurnard* GREW - Striking photographs of certain highlights of the fast attack submarine's construction includes torpedo tubes (top left), stern sections (top right & bottom right), forward section (bottom left), diving planes (middle left) and sail area (middle right). Imposed in the center is the keel laying of the "662" showing RADM E. J. Fahy then Shipyard Commander, stamping his monogram on the first *Gurnard* section. Now Commander, Naval Ship Systems Command, Admiral Fahy will attend the launching tomorrow.	Courtesy of Darryl Baker.
142k	Photo from the 19 May 1967 issue of Mare Island Naval Shipyard newspaper. Caption reads: LEARNING HIS LINES - Triggerman for tomorrow's launching fo the Gurnard (SSN-662). Hull Outfitting Group Superintendent D. L. Hughes get some instruction in the fine points ot triggering a launch from Shipwright Superintendent J. N. Honodel. Believing that practice makes perfect, Hughes went through several "trial launches".	Courtesy of Darryl Baker.
69k	Photo from the 19 May 1967 issue of Mare Island Naval Shipyard newspaper. The Gurnard (SSN-662) is shown poised for launching at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 20 May 1967.	Courtesy of Darryl Baker.
232k	Preparations are under way for the Gurnard (SSN-662) on the launching blocks, 20 May 1967.	Courtesy of Dan Danielson.
272k	Bow-on shot of the Gurnard's (SSN-662) launch platform prior to the arrival of celebrities.	Courtesy of Dan Danielson.
242k	Stern view of the Gurnard (SSN-662) showing the rams and the approaching high tide of Mare Island channel, 20 May 1967.	Courtesy of Dan Danielson.
17k	Commemorative post mark on the occasion of the launching the Gurnard (SSN-662) at Mare Island on 20 May 1967.	Courtesy of Jack Treutle.
66k	Commemorative postal cover issued on the occasion of the launching of the Gurnard (SSN-662), 20 May 1967.	Courtesy of Jack Treutle.
50k	Front cover of Launch Program for Gurnard (SSN-662).	Courtesy of Darryl Baker.
293k	Pages 1 & 2 of Launch Program for Gurnard (SSN-662). Page 1 includes information on the ship, the ship's Sponsor and the launch Speaker. The launch schedule is seen on page 2.	Courtesy of Darryl Baker.
121k	Back cover of Launch Program for Gurnard (SSN-662). Cover includes a short history of Mare Island and names of the Honorary Keel Layers and launch Triggerman.	Courtesy of Darryl Baker.
50k	Commemorative cachet issued by Mare Island's Supervisor Association on the occasion of the launching of Gurnard (SSN-662) at Mare Island on 20 May 1967.	Courtesy of Darryl Baker.
52k	News clipping from the 21 May 1967 edition of the Vallejo Times Herald. Caption reads: Mrs. George P. Miller, left of Alameda, wife of the congressman from California's 8th District, was sponsor at yesterday's launching of the nuclear attack submarine Gurnard (SSN-662) at Mare Island. Mrs. Miller is shown with her daughter, Mrs. Donald B. Muir, who served as Matron-of-Honor.	Courtesy of Darryl Baker.
155k	News clipping from the 21 May 1967 edition of the Napa Register. Caption reads: Cameras click as Mrs. George P. Miller cracks a champagne bottle on the bow of the nuclear attack submarine, Gurnard (SSN-662), at Mare Island Saturday. Mrs. Miller, wife of the Congressman from California's 8th District, was sponsor at this ship's christening.	Courtesy of Darryl Baker.
53k	News clipping from the 21 May 1967 edition of the Vallejo Times Herald. Caption reads: Mrs. George P. Miller took a mighty swing when it came time to christen the bow of the Gurnard (SSN-662). She swung with such gusto that the bottle of champagne broke in two parts. The bottom half spews champagne as it falls to the platform while Mrs. Miller holds the upper half. It was a perfect smash.	Courtesy of Darryl Baker.
109k	News clipping from the 23 May 1967 edition of the Napa Register. Caption reads: Retired RADM C. H. Andrews, holding overcoat, was one of the honored guests at Saturday's launching of the nuclear powered submarine Gurnard (SSN-662) at Mare Island Shipyard. He was Skipper of the new craft's name sake,Gurnard (SS-254).	Courtesy of Darryl Baker.
105k	Photo from the 26 May 1967 issue of Mare Island Naval Shipyard newspaper. The Gurnard (SSN-662) is shown at the end of the building ways on 20 May 1967.	Courtesy of Darryl Baker.
242k	The Gurnard (SSN-662) is waterborne following her launching at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 20 May 1967.	Photo courtesy of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum & battleshipiowa.org. & submitted by Bill Gonyo. Photo added 09/08/07.
87k	Navy tugs wait to take the Gurnard (SSN-662) under tow after her launching at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 20 May 1967.	USN photo.