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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive


Patch contributed by Mike Smolinski
Radio Call Sign: November - Bravo - Uniform - Juliet

Skate (SSN-578)


Skate Class Submarine: Laid down, 21 July 1955, at General Dynamics Corp. Electric Boat Co. Div., Groton, CT.; Launched, 16 May 1957; Commissioned, USS Skate (SSN-578), 23 December 1957; Decommissioned, 12 September 1986; Struck from the Naval Register, 30 October 1986; Final Disposition, disposed through NPSSRP (Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program) at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, WA., 14 April 1994 to 6 March 1995.

Specifications: Displacement, Surfaced: 2,570 t., Submerged: 2,861 t.; Length 267' 8" ; Beam 25'; Draft 20'; Speed, Surfaced 23 kts, Submerged 18+ kts; Complement 8 Officers, 75 Enlisted; Armament, six 21" torpedo tubes forward, two MK 37 asw aft. Propulsion, pressurized water cooled reactor, steam turbines, two propellers.
Partial text via John Hummel.
Click On Image
For Full Size
SizeImage DescriptionSource
Skate184kThe keel laying of the Skate (SSN-578), 21 July 1955. To the right is the Seawolf (SSN-575) awaiting launching, to the left Darter (SS-576) is under construction. Photo courtesy of Dale Hargrave.
Skate317kThe Skate (SSN-578) is sponsored by Mrs. Alice Strauss on 16 May 1957. She was the wife of Lewis Strauss, an American businessman, philanthropist, and naval officer who served two terms on the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), the second as its chairman. He was a major figure in the development of nuclear weapons, the nuclear energy policy of the United States, and nuclear power in the United States.Insert text courtesy of wikipedia.org.
Photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Skate1.40kLaunching of the Skate (SSN-578) on 16 May 1957. Skipjack (SSN-585) is under construction on the left. The Triton (SSRN-586) is under construction on the right.A.P. Wirephoto courtesy of Dale Hargrave.
Skate"</a
0857857
NR THIRD A-SUB LAUNCHED
The Skate (SSN-578), third atomic submarine to be built for the United States Navy, slides down the ways at the Groton (Conn.) plant of General Dynamics Corp. Mrs. Lewis Strauss, wife of the atomic energy commissioner, christened the vessel. Still another atomic sub. Skipjack (SSN-585) is under construction at the left.
A.P. Wirephoto
Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo from Evening Star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 17 May 1957, Image 5, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov
The Fission Fleet 496k The Fission Fleet.
The first three ships in the Nuclear Navy: Nautilus (SSN-571), Seawolf (SSN-575), and Skate (SSN-578), are shown together for the first time at General Dynamic Corporation's Electric Boat Division in Groton, Connecticut, where they were built. The Seawolf and Nautilus returned to their birthplace for a brief upkeep period while Skate, launched 16 May is being readied for builder's trials. Sixteen additional atomic submarines have been ordered by the Navy. Nautilus departed 19 August to participate in NATO Exercises, 11 September 1957.
Photo # USN 709933, courtesy of the National Museum of the U.S. Navy, via flickr.com.
Skate1.20kBow view of the Skate (SSN-578),underway on 6 December 1957, 1st run at 3 knots.US National Archives photo # 80G-1037389 from NARA, College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert.
Skate1.00kBow view of the Skate (SSN-578), underway on 6 December 1957, 2nd run at 10 knots.US National Archives photo # 80G-1037388 from NARA, College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert.
Skate 395k Senior Navy officers at the commissioning of the Skate (SSN-578) at Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corp of 23 December 1957. Left to right: ADM Frederick B. Warder (COMSUBLANT), CDR James F. Calvert (Commanding Officer) and VADM Frank T. Watkins (COMASDEFFORLANT). Photo # 375X2-12-57 TH, courtesy of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum via Darryl L. Baker.
Skate173kSkate (SSN-578), tying up at the sub base at Groton CT., circa 1958.Photo courtesy of the Sunday Replublican, Springfield Mass. Submitted by Stan Svec.
Skate141kTwo crew-members of the Skate (SSN-578) checking melt-water while above the Arctic Circle in 1958.USN photo courtesy of US Navy Arctic Submarine Laboratory.
Skate"</a
0857835
NR A-Sub Crosses Atlantic In West-East Record
Skate (SSN-578) Reaches England in 203 Hours, Running Submerged Entire Route
A FAST SKATE

Jubilant members of the new nuclear-powered United States submarine Skate line the deck as she approaches the dock in Portland, England, after the fastest west-east Atlantic underwater crossing in history.
A.P. Wirephoto
Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo from Evening Star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 05 March 1958, Image 1, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov
Skate51kCommemorative postal cover issued on the occasion of the Skate's (SSN-578) Polar ice Cap cruise, 1958.Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
Skate 629k Members of Skate (SSN-578) relaxing in their bunk room. Standing ET1 W.C. Burns and sitting EM3 D.M. Sanger, 7 March 1958. Photo # USN 1034012, courtesy of the National Museum of the U.S. Navy, via flickr.com.
Skate 2.68k Aerial view of Skate (SSN-578) at sea in April 1958. Photo # 387X1-4-58 TH, courtesy of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum via Darryl L. Baker.
Skate104kLt. William Layman peering through thick porthole covered with leaded glass into reactor for inspection on nuclear submarine Skate (SSN-578), 1958. Photographer: Hank Walker, courtesy of life.time.com
Skate131kSailors aboard nuclear submarine Skate (SSN-578) pushing torpedo in place near tube as other sailor sleeps on bunk below, 1958. Photographer: Hank Walker, courtesy of life.time.com
Skate100kComm. James Calvert looking through periscope in control center aboard nuclear submarine Skate (SSN-578). Photographer: Hank Walker, courtesy of life.time.com
Skate187kBritish sailors looking at nuclear submarine Skate (SSN-578) emerging at Portland, England after the first submerged crossing of the Atlantic, 1958. Photographer: Hank Walker, courtesy of life.time.com
SSN
0847201
NR NORTH POLE SUBS BOTH POWERED BY WESTINGHOUSE ATOMIC ENGINES Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo & text by Evening Star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 15 August 1958, Image 14, courtesy of chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Skate 386k Aerial view of Skate (SSN-578) as she returns to Boston Harbor after 31 day trans-polar voyage on 22 September 1958. Photo # 410X2-9-58 TH, courtesy of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum via Darryl L. Baker.
Skate63kSkate (SSN-578) moored to the ice at floating ice station Alpha. Photo courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
Richard Boyer Laning
0857872
1.34k Atomic Submarines Honored at New London, CT., 26 October 1958 by AP (see their caption). Left to right: CDR Robert B. Laning Seawolf (SSN-575), CDR William R. Anderson Nautilus (SSN-571), and CDR James F. Calvert Skate (SSN-578). USN photo courtesy of the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum via Darryl L. Baker.
Skate494kTMC Paul G. Gornberg, USN, (in submarine suit), and Lieutenant Guy Shaffer, USN, ship's diving officer (in khaki shirt, back to camera), watch the depth gauge intensely as Skate (SSN-578) begins to break through the ice of the Arctic somewhere near the North Pole, March 1959.USN photo # 428-GX_Box 344_K-24115, courtesy of the National Museum of the U.S. Navy, via flickr.com.
Skate644kWith their backs turned to shield themselves from the 20 knot wind, crew members of Skate (SSN-578) collect samples of ice which formed on the ship surfaced in the 25 degrees below zero cold. USN photo courtesy of NHHC Photograph Collection, L-File, Ships.
Wilkins"</a
0857873a
NR North Pole Ceremony
In a message received here by the Navy, Comdr. Calvert said: "On March 17, 50 years after Commodore Robert) Peary. Skate (SSN-578)was on the surface of the North Pole. In a solemn memorial ceremony conducted by Skate shortly after surfacing, the ashes of Sir Hubert Wilkins were scattered at the North Pole in accordance with his last wishes."
Comdr. Calvert knew Sir Hubert personally. The veteran explorer had visited the commander aboard the Skate last year.
Navy Photo.
Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo from Evening Star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 28 March 1959, Image 3, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov
Wilkins"</a
0857873
NR ARCTIC TRIBUTE TO EXPLORER
In half light on March 17, crew members of the Skate (SSN-578) pause in a voyage under the Arctic ice to carry out the last wish of the late Polar exployer, Sir Hubert Wilkins, by scattering his ashes at the North Pole. Comdr. J. F. Calvert, commander of the Skate, is standing directly under the numeral "7" conducting the service.
Navy Photo.
Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo from Evening Star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 03 April 1959, Image 3, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov
Skate578kOn 17 March 1959, Skate (SSN-578) surfaced at the North Pole under a blue sky to commit the ashes of the famed explorer Sir Hubert Wilkins to the Arctic waste. Text courtesy of DANFS.
USN photo # NPC 1149126 courtesy of US Navy Arctic Submarine Laboratory, Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Skate62kCommemorative postal cover issued on the occasion of the Skate (SSN-578), as the first Submarine to surface at the North Pole, 17 March 1959. Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
Skate63kCommemorative postal cover issued on the occasion of the Skate (SSN-578), during her Polar Ice cap cruise at the North Pole, 1959.Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
Skate 507k Berthed at Electric Boat upon her return from the Arctic on 7 April 1959. Photo # 436X2-4-59 TH, courtesy of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum via Darryl L. Baker.
Skate538kSub Skippers - The Navy's three atomic sub skippers of the Nautilus (SSN-571), Seawolf (SSN-575) & Skate (SSN-578).....12 April 1959.USN photo courtesy of Tommy Trampp.
Skate30kCommemorative postal cover issued on the occasion of the Skate (SSN-578), breaking the Trans-Atlantic speed record.Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
Skate125kVice Admiral James F. Calvert played a key role in developing nuclear submarine Arctic tactics during his tour as commanding officer of the Skate (SSN-578) from December 1957 to September 1959. Skate surfaced at the North Pole in February 1959. During this tour, Calvert also helped define the operational capabilities of the Navy's first series-production class of nuclear submarine.
Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Calvert graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1942 and from Submarine School in September of that year. He was awarded the Silver Star and the Bronze Star while serving aboard the submarine Jack (SS-259) during World War II.
He also served as executive officer aboard the Haddo (SS-255) in 1945. Following the war, he served as executive officer aboard the Charr (SS-328) and Harder (SS-568) and as commanding officer of the Trigger (SS-564).
Calvert served as Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy from 1968 to 1972.
USN photo courtesy of navy.mil. & submitted by Bill Gonyo.
Skate362kIce Skate (SSN-578). USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Tusk 696k Tusk (SS-426), Entemedor (SS-340) & Skate (SSN-578) dusted with snow, circa 1960.Photo courtesy of usstusk.com via John Hummel, USN (Retired).
Submarine Silhouettes 1960179kSubmarine Silhouettes of 1960:
Nautilus (SSN-571), Seawolf (SSN-575), Skate (SSN-578), Skipjack (SSN-585), Triton (SSRN-586), Halibut (SSGN-587), Thresher (SSN-593), Tullibee (SSN-597), George Washington (SSBN-598), & Ethan Allen (SSBN-608) classes.
USN photo submitted by Ron Titus, courtesy of Ingersoll-Rand. Corp.
Nuclear Submarine Profiles187kNuclear Submarine Profiles 1960:
Nautilus (SSN-571),
Seawolf (SSN-575),
Triton (SSRN-586),
Skate (SSN-578) & Skipjack (SSN-585) classes,
Halibut (SSGN-587) & Tullibee (SSN-597) classes,
George Washington (SSBN-598) &
Thresher (SSN-593) classes.
USN photo courtesy of Ron Titus courtesy of Ingersoll-Rand. Corp.
Photo i.d. courtesy of David Johnston
Skate"</a
0857860
NR UNDER THE ICE TO THE NORTH POLE
Jacket art from Surface at the Pole by Comdr. James Calvert (McGraw-Hill) soon to be published. Here, told by the man who commanded her, is the eagerly awaited tale of the nuclear submarine Skate (SSN-578) which surfaced nine times on its summer cruise and broke through the ice itself inthe dead of winter—the first ship in history to reach open air in the eerie, silent fastness of the North Pole.
A.P. Wirephoto
Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo from Evening Star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 03 July 1960, Image 53, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov
Skate242k Skate (SSN-578) rides the waves. USN photo # USN 1026364 courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Skate"</a
0857802
NR ANACOSTIA NAVAL RESERVE SUB HUNTERS TRACK DOWN AN 'ENEMY' U-BOAT (SKATE (SSN-578)).Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo from Evening Star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 06 September 1961, Image 84, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov
Skate138kOn 7 July 1962, Skate (SSN-578) again pointed her bow towards the North Pole. Five days later, sister ship Seadragon (SSN-584) based in Pearl Harbor, did likewise. The mission of the two submarines was to rendezvous under the ice there. They began rendezvous procedures on 31 July. After the historic meeting, the two ships operated together for over a week. Both submarines surfaced at the North Pole on 2 August and official greetings and insignia of the Submarine Forces, Atlantic Fleet and Pacific Fleet, were exchanged.
Skate is seen there in a photo dated a week later.
Text courtesy of DANFS.
USN photo # K-27399 courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Skate1.30kSeadragon (SSN-584), foreground, preparing to moor at the North Pole after a historic rendezvous with Skate (SSN-578) under the Polar ice pack. Photograph released 28 August 1962. Master caption: The submarines surface together at the North Pole, carried out anti-submarine warfare exercises, collected scientific information, and established a new year-round submarine channel by exploring a passage through the Kennedy and Robeson Channels (between Greenland and Ellesmere Island). The two submarines proceeded to the historic meeting, operation independently, carrying out tests of electronic equipment and gathering scientific information. All tests of sonar capabilities, ASW capabilities, and underwater communications, proved highly successful. Skate departed on 2 July and Seadragon departed on 12 July.USN photo # USN 711123, courtesy of the National Museum of the U.S. Navy, via flickr.com.
Skate1.72k Skate (SSN-578) and Seadragon (SSN-584) at the North Pole after a historic rendezvous under the North Pole. Photograph released 22 August 1962. USN photo # USN 711117, courtesy of the National Museum of the U.S. Navy, via flickr.com.
Skate783kScuba diver going over the side of Skate (SSN-578) to conduct underwater inspection after a historic rendezvous with Seadragon (SSN-584) under the Polar ice pack. Photograph released 28 August 1962. USN photo # USN 711125, courtesy of the National Museum of the U.S. Navy, via flickr.com.
Skate857k After historic rendezvous under the Polar Ice pack, crews of the nuclear-powered submarines Skate (SSN-578) and Seadragon (SSN-584) exchange colors and memorial plaques. In center, Commander Joseph L. Skoog, Jr., USN, Commanding Officer of Skate, (left), and Commander Charles D. Summitt, USN, Commanding Officer of Seadragon, exchange plaques. Photograph released 22 August, 1962. USN photo # USN 711118 & 711124, courtesy of the National Museum of the U.S. Navy, via flickr.com.
Skate67kSkate (SSN-578), at the North Pole, 1962.USN photo.
Seadragon 31k Commemorative postal cover issued on the occasion of the Seadragon (SSN-584) & Skate (SSN-578) for the first rendezvous at the North Pole, August 1962. Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
Skate40kSkate (SSN-578), and Seadragon (SSN-584) surfaced at the North Pole, 1962.USN photo courtesy of US Navy Arctic Submarine Laboratory.
Skate1.30k Skate (SSN-578) returned to New London and performed fleet and local operations for the next several years.
She is seen here on 23 May 1963.
Text courtesy of DANFS.
USN photo # NPC 1072986 courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Skate122k Skate (SSN-578) with crew on deck.Photo courtesy of Robert Hurst.
Skate73kThe Skate (SSN-578) above the Arctic Circle in 1971.USN photo courtesy of US Navy Arctic Submarine Laboratory.
Skate336kCDR George Rodwell Fister attended the University of Tulsa for a year before entering the U.S. Naval Academy graduating in 1963. Following commissioning he served aboard the Cutlass (SS-478) prior to attending Nuclear Power Training. His first assignment was the Robert E. Lee (SSBN-601) as a member of the overhauling crew. Following shakedown and DASO, he made three Polaris Patrols. He then reported to the Seahorse (SSN-669) in new construction. In 1969 he reported as Engineering Officer on the Sculpin (SSN-590). In 1976 he served as Executive Officer on the Aspro (SSN-648). From November 1979 to May 1982 he was the commanding officer of the Skate (SSN-578). He departed the Skate with orders to assume command of the Tunny (SSN-682).Photo courtesy of Bill Gonyo.
Skate278kCDR Wayne Jacinto Fernandez attended Auburn University as an NROTC midshipman and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering in June 1965. He made a Polaris deterrent patrol on the Ethan Allen (SSBN-608) during his senior year summer cruise. Following commissioning he attended Naval Nuclear Power School at Mare Island, Nuclear Power Training Unit at Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Naval Submarine School at Groton. Subsequently he reported to the Grenadier (SS-525) were he earned his Gold Dolphins designating he was "Submarine Qualified". From 1968 to 1972 he served aboard the Tinosa (SSN-606). He served aboard the Alexander Hamilton (SSBN-617) as Engineering Officer from 1972 to 1976 completing two patrols followed her overhaul and refueling. His next duty assignment was the Sand Lance (SSN-660) from 1976 to 1979 as her Executive Officer. In 1981 he earned a Master of Arts degree in Human Resources Management from Pepperdine University before being placed in Command of the Skate (SSN-578). He served as her commander from May 1982 to 1985.Photo courtesy of Bill Gonyo.
Skate676kSeven page PDF Welcome Aboard the Skate (SSN-578), circa 1982.Photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
PSNSY 683k An aerial view of a section of the Ship Intermediate Maintenance Facility at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard on 17 May 1993. One submarine tender and 16 decommissioned nuclear-powered submarines are shown including the Seawolf (SSN-575); six George Washington, and Lafayette class SSBN's (with their missile sections cut out) plus several Skate, Skipjack, Permit and Sturgeon class SSN's. All are awaiting scrapping.
Bottom row, from left to right Thomas A. Edison (SSBN-610), Skipjack (SSN-585), Snook (SSN-592), Henry Clay (SSBN-625), Lapon (SSN-661), Dace (SSN-607), Skate (SSN-578), Swordfish (SSN-579), Sargo (SSN-583), Seadragon (SSN-584).
Across the pier are Thomas Jefferson (SSBN-618), and not in view, Patrick Henry (SSBN-599), George Washington (SSBN-598), Barb (SSN-596) & Sea Devil (SSN-664).
Official USN photo # DN-ST-95-01863, by Calvin Larsen, from the Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil. Photo i.d. courtesy of David Johnston.
Skate140kPhoto date is March of 1994 during the demolition process for the submarines Skate (SSN-578) and Sargo (SSN-583) . Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Drydock No. 3, Farragut Avenue, Bremerton, Kitsap, WA. South Section from caisson when drydock is almost fully flooded in preparation for docking Sargo next to Skate [not in picture}.
Other views of the flooding procedure were not permitted for this HAER report.
LOC photo # 370865pv courtesy of Stephen Gower.
Skate110kView of fully flooded drydock with caisson opened. Newly arrived submarine is being placed in position. Berthed submarine on right is same as that seen in photo WA-116-25. Camera is pointed S from bulkhead. LOC photo # 370866pv courtesy of Stephen Gower.
PSNSY291k"Sign of the times." March 1994 photo of Nuclear submarines at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard waiting in line for scrapping.
Top row left to right are Ethan Allen (SSBN-608), Seawolf (SSN-575), Plunger (SSN-595), Shark (SSN-591), Nathanael Greene (SSBN-636), Glenard P. Lipscomb (SSN-685) alongside Sperry (AS-12), with Triton (SSRN-586) across the pier from the Sperry .
Bottom row, from left to right Thomas A. Edison (SSBN-610), Skipjack (SSN-585), Snook (SSN-592), Henry Clay (SSBN-625), Lapon (SSN-661), Dace (SSN-607), Skate (SSN-578), Swordfish (SSN-579), Sargo (SSN-583), Seadragon (SSN-584).
Across the pier are Thomas Jefferson (SSBN-618), and not in view, Patrick Henry (SSBN-599), George Washington (SSBN-598), Barb (SSN-596) & Sea Devil (SSN-664).
There are so many submarines at PSNSY that the yard is running out of pier space.
Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
Reactor Compartments83kTrench 94, Hanford Site, Washington, 1994. Hull sections containing defueled reactor compartments of decommissioned nuclear-powered submarines are put in disposal trenches. Once full, the trench will be filled with dirt and buried. The compartments are expected to retain their integrity for more than 600 years. USN photo submitted by Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
reactor compartments 569kSealed 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 reactor compartments 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 (SSN-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. Calvert, James Francis, USN (USNA 1943) :VADM23.12.1957 - 00.09.1959 First Date in Commission
02CDR. Cooke, Edward William, USN (USNA 1946) :VADM00.09.1959 - 13.09.1960
03CDR. Skoog Jr., Joseph Laurence, USN (USNA 1946)13.09.1960 - 00.09.1962
04CDR. Rauch Jr., Charles Frederick, USN (USNA 1948-A) :RADM00.09.1962 - 00.07.1964
05CDR. Dietrich, Edward Orr (Ned), USN (USNA 1949)00.07.1964 - 00.03.1965
06CDR. Burkhalter Jr., Edward Allen, USN (USNA 1951) :VADM00.03.1965 - 00.04.1968
07CDR. Phoenix, David Albert, USN00.04.1968 - 29.06.1971
08CDR. Eytchison, Ronald Marvin, USN (USNA 1958) :VADM29.06.1971 - 06.02.1975
09CDR. Asafaylo, Richard James, USN (USNA 1959)06.02.1975 - 00.09.1977
10CDR. Sollberger, Melvin Hugh, USN (USNA 1960)00.09.1977 - 00.11.1979
11CDR. Fister, George Rodwell, USN (USNA 1963)00.11.1979 - 00.05.1982
12CDR. Fernandez, Wayne Jacinto, USN00.05.1982 - 12.09.1986 Last Day in Commission
Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler

View the Skate (SSN-578)
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
Michael Mensch's USS SKATE (SSN 578) Page

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