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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive

Patches contributed by Mike Smolinski

Radio Call Sign: November - Echo - Zulu - Whiskey

Parche (SSN-683)

Sturgeon Class Attack Submarine: Laid down, 10 December 1970, at Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp, Pascagoula, MS.; Launched, 13 January 1973; Commissioned, USS Parche (SSN-683), 26 January 1974; Parche was decommissioned Oct. 20, 2004. Final Disposition, laid up at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard awaiting disposal through the NPSSRP (Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program) at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, WA.

Specifications: Displacement, Surfaced: 3,640 t., Submerged: 4,640 t.; Length 302'; 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
35k	Parche (SSN-683) is seen on the launching ways at Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp, Pascagoula, MS. on 13 January 1973.	Courtesy of parche683.net. / Tom VanLandingham MM2(SS).
27k	The Parche (SSN-683) is more than half way down the launching ways	Courtesy of parche683.net. / Tom VanLandingham MM2(SS).
18k	More than 4,000 tons of Parche (SSN-683) backs into the Pascagoula River.	Courtesy of parche683.net. / Tom VanLandingham MM2(SS).
16k	Parche (SSN-683) is waterborne on the the Pascagoula River.	Courtesy of parche683.net. / Tom VanLandingham MM2(SS).
18k	Commemorative post mark on the occasion of the builders first sea trials of the Parche (SSN-683), 9 June 1974.	Courtesy of Jack Treutle.
46k	Photo of Lawson Paterson Ramage, the first C.O. of the Parche (SS-384) with the new Parche (SSN-683) conning tower, to his left, circa mid 1970's.	US Navy photo courtesy of ussubvetsofwwii.org.& Herbert P. Harden, RMC(SS) USN ret.
43k	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.
145k	Submerged submarines in tandem.	U.S. Navy Photo courtesy of Robert Hall.
488k	Aerial photos of numerous types of vessels at the finger piers at the south end of Mare Island in May 1980. From left to right: ARD-24, small river boats of *Special Boat Unit 11, Kiska* (AE-35), Parche (SSN-683) with DSRV and *YM-35* dredging the area.	USN photo # 168005, courtesy of Darryl Baker. Photo added 05/10/08.
265k	An officer aboard a *Sturgeon class* nuclear-powered attack submarine uses the ship's periscope in the control room on 1 Dec 1980.	USN photo # DN-ST-83-02966, by PHC Robert K. Hemmerly, from the Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
499k	The Dolphin (AGSS-555) is docked in an old AFDL that the shipyard rented for her overhaul in October 1985. To the right of *Dolphin* is the yard's dry dock #4 where the new extended hull section for Parche (SSN-683) is under construction. *Dolphin* is in the tan colored floating dry dock berth to center left. *Parche's* hull section is in dry dock #4 under all those metal roofs under the three large dock cranes (two green and one yellow). You can't see the hull section - it was a classified project.	Navy Photo # 211104-10-85 NS, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
143k	A starboard beam view of the nuclear-powered attack submarine Parche (SSN-683) underway off San Diego, 1 Feb 1991. The structure on the boat's aft section was a lock in-lockout chamber used to send divers out to tap Soviet undersea telephone cables. This was a highly classified operation called "Ivy Bells" and provided the U.S. government with invaluable intelligence on Soviet naval activities. The existence of this operation was revealed in the best selling book "Blind Man's Bluff" by Sherry Sontag and Christopher Drew. The Navy went to great lengths to keep this operation black, even to labling the chamber "DSRV Simulator" in large letters to throw off observers as the boat left or entered port.	USN photo # DN-ST-91-05709, by PHC Jones, from the Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil. & submitted by Bill Gonyo. Text courtesy of David Johnston (USN).
53k	Parche (SSN-683) underway, date and place unknown.	Courtesy of ComSubGru Nine.
50k	Port side view of the Parche (SSN-683) being nudged by a tug, date and place unknown.	Courtesy of FAS (Federation of American Scientists) fas.org
44k	Flag being flown on the sail of the Parche (SSN-683) expressing the view of the Navy's side of things before the annual trouncing of Army during the Army-Navy football game.	Courtesy of FAS (Federation of American Scientists) fas.org
135k	The Parche (SSN-683) with a *DSRV* ridding piggyback passes Alcatraz Island in this undated photo.	Official US Navy photo courtesy of Wendell Royce McLaughlin Jr.
49k	Acrylic on canvas by the artist Lt. Cmdr. J. Carl Hartsfield entitled "Parche Victorious". Parche (SSN-683) with the US Navy YTB tug *Manhattan* in remembrance of September 11th.	Photo & text courtesy of subart.net.
22k	Commemorative post mark on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Parche (SSN-683) on station, 17 August 2004.	Text and photo courtesy of Jack Treutle.
299k	A colorful banner made by family members, awaits the crew as the *Sturgeon-class* submarine Parche (SSN-683) returns to port for the final time at the Marginal pier at Naval Base Kitsap, Wash on 20 Sept. 2004.	U.S. Navy photo # N-6497N-006 by Brian Nokell, courtesy of navy.news.mil.
448k	The attack submarine Parche (SSN-683) returns to port for the final time at the Marginal pier at Naval Base Kitsap, Wash on 20 Sept. 2004. *Parche, the last active Sturgeon-class* attack submarine, is due to be decommissioned on October 19, 2004 after serving the fleet since 1973. *Parche* was configured for research and development from 1987-1991 and was used primary for intelligence gathering and underwater salvage.	U.S. Navy photo # N-6497N-014 by Brian Nokell, courtesy of navy.news.mil.
33k	Commemorative post mark on the occasion of the decommissioning of the last of the *Sturgeon class* submarines, Parche (SSN-683), 19 October 2004.	Courtesy of Jack Treutle.
31k	Commemorative post mark on the occasion of the Decommissioning and change of command ceremony of the Parche (SSN-683), at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, 19 October 2004.	Courtesy of Jack Treutle.
310k	Sailors assigned to the *Sturgeon-class* submarine Parche (SSN-683), lower the National Ensign for the last time during a change of command and decommissioning ceremony held at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Wash. 20 October 2004.	U.S. Navy photo # N-0141W-001 by John Woodmansee, courtesy of navy.news.mil.
25k	The American flag and commissioning pennant from Parche (SSN-683), the most decorated ship in Navy history, are marched off the submarine at its decommissioning ceremony Tuesday at the Bremerton naval base. The Bangor-based sub, which performed highly classified missions, was taken out of Navy service after 30 years. The following is a letter from President George W. Bush. "I send greetings to those gathered for the decommissioning of Parche (SSN-683). The *Parche* is the second United States vessel to bear the name of the French butterfly fish known for its remarkable navigation abilities. Like her famous World War II namesake, the *Parche* has earned a honored place in our nation's maritime history. From the Cold War to the ongoing global war on terrorism, the *Parche's* achievements and resourcefulness have helped ensure our country's security and earned it the distinction of our Navy's most decorated submarine. The many crewmembers who have served aboard the *Parche* can take great pride in their contributions to our Navy and our nation. As *Parche* lowers her colors after more than 30 years of faithful service, I salute her current officers and her crew for their hard work and commitment to excellence. I remember all of those who have served with courage, honor, commitment and dedication aboard this fine submarine through the years. We also recognize the veterans of your predecessor, the Parche (SS-384), as you gather for your reunion. Decommissioning may be the end of a vessel's service, but the pride and tradition of service to America remain in the hearts of crewmembers and friends of *Parche* forever. Laura joins me in sending our best wishes on this special occasion. May God bless you and may God continue to bless the United States of America. Signed, George W. Bush, Oct. 18, 2004.	Bremerton Sun Staff photo by Larry Steagall, courtesy of kitsapsun.com. via Navy Yard Association / Terry Epperson & Darryl Baker.
35k	The pennant from Parche (SSN-683) is taken down to begin the decommissioning of the submarine. Posted on the side of *Parche's* sail are the honors it earned as the most decorated ship in Navy history.	Bremerton Sun Staff photo by Larry Steagall, courtesy of kitsapsun.com. via Navy Yard Association / Terry Epperson & Darryl Baker.
35k	Under cover from a rainy day, retired Capt. Richard Charles, the Parche (SSN-683) first commanding officer, salutes during the parade of colors. The *Parche's* numerous awards and citations can be seen on the sub's sail.	Bremerton Sun Staff photo by Larry Steagall, courtesy of kitsapsun.com. via Navy Yard Association / Terry Epperson & Darryl Baker.
209k	Not exactly breaking through the Artic ice. The Parche's (SSN-683) sail protrudes through the surface of the front gate at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (PSNS) in Bremerton WA.	Photo courtesy of Darryl Baker & Bob Shouse.

There is no DANFS History currently available for Parche (SSN-683) at the Haze Gray & Underway Web Site, the main archive for the DANFS Online Project.

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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