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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive


Patches contributed by Mike Smolinski
Radio Call Sign: November - Victor - Sierra - Delta

Hammerhead (SSN-663)

Sturgeon Class Attack Submarine: Laid down, 29 November 1965, at Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co., Newport News, VA.: Launched, 14 April 1967; Commissioned, USS Hammerhead (SSN-663), 28 June 1968; Decommissioned and simultaneously struck from the Naval Register, 5 April 1995; Final Disposition, disposed of through the NPSSRP (Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program) at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, WA., 22 November 1995.

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		SizeImage DescriptionContributed By
Hammerhead301kThe clock ticks off as the crowd is addressed before the Hammerhead (SSN-663) is launched at Newport News on 14 April 1967. Newport News Shipbuilding photo courtesy of Dale Hargrave.
Hammerhead278kMrs. O. Clark Fisher, wife of Congressman Fisher of Texas, sponsor of the Hammerhead (SSN-663) at Newport News on 14 April 1967. Newport News Shipbuilding photo courtesy of Dale Hargrave.
Hammerhead333kHammerhead (SSN-663) starts her slide down the ways at Newport News on 14 April 1967. Newport News Shipbuilding photo courtesy of Dale Hargrave.
Hammerhead309kHammerhead (SSN-663) officers, crew and workmen aboard salute as she slides down the ways at Newport News on 14 April 1967. Newport News Shipbuilding photo courtesy of Dale Hargrave.
Hammerhead258k The launch of the Hammerhead (SSN-663) at Newport News on 14 April 1967. USN photo courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Hammerhead572kPre commissioning photo of the Hammerhead (SSN-663) on 6 June 1968.USN photo NPC 113288 courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Hammerhead39kThe Hammerhead (SSN-663) approaching Faslane Naval Base on the Gareloch, Scotland, September 1969.Photo courtesy of battleships-cruisers.co.uk.
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.USN photo courtesy of Robert Hall.
Hammerhead60kCommemorative postal cover issued on the occasion of the Hammerhead's (SSN-663) Polar cruise, 20 November 1970.Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
Hammerhead16k Commemorative post mark on the occasion of Hammerhead (SSN-663) at the North Pole, 20 November 1970.Photo courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
Hammerhead89k The sail of the Hammerhead (SSN-663) pokes through the Polar ice, 20 November 1970.USN photo courtesy of Arctic Submarine Laboratory.
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0866326		 446k Water from that North Pole trip in November 1970 signed by Captain Carter and a similar era desk cigarette lighter.Photo courtesy of John Eldridge.
Sea Devil90kSea Devil (SSN-664), Hammerhead (SSN-663) and Ray (SSN-653), three Sturgeon-class (SSN-637) subs at pier 22, Norfolk VA. 1975. Sub tender LY Spear (AS-36) is on the starboard side of the Sea Devil.Courtesy of John Hummel, USN (Retired).
Hammerhead167k Commander Virgil L. Hill, Jr. was the commanding officer of the Hammerhead (SSN-663) from 17 April 1976 to May 1980.USN photo courtesy of Bill Gonyo.
Hammerhead42kCDR H. J. Halliday, Commanding Officer of the Hammerhead (SSN-663) and MMCM W. R. Evermon, Chief of Boat are pictured during the welcoming ceremony of the ship at Mare Island on 28 February 1985. USN photo # MSA 206768-2-85, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Hammerhead61kMr. James McClary, President Superintendents Association, introducing the acting Shipyard Command at the welcoming ceremony for the Hammerhead (SSN-663), 28 February 1985. USN photo # MSA 206773-2-85, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Hammerhead61kCapt Peter Bowman, Acting Shipyard Commander, address the crowd at the welcoming ceremony of the Hammerhead (SSN-663) at Mare Island on 28 February 1985. USN photo # MSA 206771-2-85, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Hammerhead3.37kHammerhead (SSN-663) welcome aboard pamphlet circa 1985. PDF courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Hammerhead247k Hammerhead (SSN-663) is seen dry dock #1 at Mare Island during her overhaul in October 1985. The blue object at the head of the dock is her sonar dome. USN photo # 211107, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Hammerhead57k The new and old Commanding Officer of the Hammerhead (SSN-663) on 5 August 1987. Left to right: CDR James L. Durham, New Commanding Officer; Mrs. James L. Durham; CDR H. J. Halliday, Jr., Relieved Commanding Officer; and Mrs. H. J. Halliday. USN photo # MSA 222418-8-87, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Hammerhead80kThe crew of the Hammerhead (SSN-663) is muster on the pier for the welcoming ceremony at Mare Island on 28 February 1985. She was in overhaul at Mare Island form 1 March 1985 until 13 August 1987. USN photo # MSA 206756-2-85, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Hammerhead1.13kTen page PDF Welcome Aboard Hammerhead (SSN-663), circa 1990. PDF courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Hammerhead61kStarboard bow view of the Hammerhead (SSN-663) underway, date unknown. USN photo.
Hammerhead252k Hammerhead (SSN-663) underway, date and place unknown. USN photo courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Hammerhead318kA SH-3 Sea King Helicopter from Anti-submarine Squadron 5 (HS-5) flies over the nuclear-powered attack submarine Hammerhead (SSN-663) as it prepares to deliver a gift from the commanding officer of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier George Washington (CVN-73) to the Hammerhead's crew on 13 September 1992. Official USN photo # DN-ST-93-00614 by PH2 John K. Sokolowski, from the Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil & submitted by Bill Gonyo.
Hammerhead124kThe nuclear-powered attack submarine Hammerhead (SSN-663) travels alongside the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier George Washington (CVN-73) on 13 September 1992. Official USN photo # DN-ST-93-00618 by PH2 John K. Sokolowski, from the Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
Hammerhead379k A HS-5 squadron attached to the George Washington (CVN-73) delivers a ceremonial package of Cherry Pies to the Hammerhead (SSN-663) celebrating the carrier's first vertical replenishment with a submarine. Official USN photograph & text by PH2 John K. Sokolowski.
Hammerhead402kCrew members gather near the sail aboard the nuclear-powered attack submarine Hammerhead (SSN-663) tied to the pier at Port everglades, Florida on 25 September 1993. Official USN photo # DN-SC-94-00434 by OS2 John Bouvia, from the Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil & submitted by Bill Gonyo.
Hammerhead419kA starboard bow view of the nuclear-powered attack submarine Hammerhead (SSN-663) tied to the pier. Official USN photo # DN-SC-94-00432 by OS2 John Bouvia, from the Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil & submitted by Bill Gonyo.
Scraping26kCommemorative post mark issued on the occasion of Stonewall Jackson (SSBN-634), Mariano G. Vallejo (SSBN-658) , Simon Bolivar (SSBN-641), and Hammerhead (SSN-663), at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, entering Dry Dock No. 4 for scrapping 8 November 1994.Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
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
Commanding Officers
01CDR. Murphy Jr., Elbridge Frederick, USN (USNA 1953)28.06.1968 - 00.06.1970 First Date in Commission
02CDR. Carter Jr., Powell Frederick, USN (USNA 1955) :ADM00.06.1970 - 10.10.1973
03CDR. Camilleri, Terrence Joseph, USN (USNA 1959)10.10.1973 - 17.04.1976
04CDR. Hill Jr., Virgil Lusk, USN (USNA 1961) :RADM17.04.1976 - 00.05.1980
05CDR. Watkins III, Edison Lee, USN (USNA 1965) :RADM00.05.1980 - 00.07.1983
06CDR. Halliday Jr., Howard James (Tim), USN (USNA 1969)00.07.1983 - 00.08.1987
07CDR. Durham, James Leighton, USN (USNA 1970)00.08.1987 - 02.12.1989
08CDR. Castan Jr., William Charles, USN02.12.1989 - 06.06.1992
09CDR. Hasslinger, Karl Michael, USN06.06.1992 - 18.04.1995 Last Date in Commission
Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler
View the Hammerhead (SSN-663)
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
FAS--SSN-637 Sturgeon class
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