View source for USS Seawolf (SSN-575)

{{short description|US Navy nuclear attack submarine}}
{{other ships|USS Seawolf}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin|infobox caption=yes}}
{{Infobox ship image
 | Ship image =  [[File:USS Seawolf (SSN-575).jpg|300px|border|alt=Seawolf (SSN-575) is seen departing San Francisco Bay in August 1977.]]
 | Ship caption =
}}
{{Infobox ship class overview
|Builders = Electric Boat division of General Dynamics Corporation, Groton, Connecticut
|Operators = {{naval|United States}}
|Class before = {{USS|Nautilus|SSN-571|6}}
|Class after = *{{sclass|Skate|submarine|4}}
* {{USS|Darter|SS-576|6}}
|Subclasses=
|Built range= 1953
|In commission range=1957–1987
|Total ships planned=
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{{Infobox ship career
 | Hide header =
 | Ship country=United States
 | Ship flag = {{USN flag|1987}}
 | Ship name =
 | Ship namesake =
 | Ship awarded =  21 July 1952
 | Ship builder =   Electric Boat division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut
 | Ship laid down =  7 September 1953
 | Ship launched =  21 July 1955
 | Ship sponsor=  Mrs. [[W. Sterling Cole]]
 | Ship commissioned =  30 March 1957
 | Ship decommissioned =  30 March 1987
 | Ship struck =  10 July 1987
 | Ship honors =
 | Ship fate =  Disposed of by submarine recycling 30 September 1997
 | Ship notes =
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
 | Hide header =
 | Header caption =
 | Ship type =[[Submarine]]
 | Ship displacement =*3,260 tons surfaced
*4,150 tons submerged
 | Ship length = * {{cvt|337|ft|m}}
* {{cvt|387|ft}} post conversion
 | Ship beam = {{cvt|28|ft}}
 | Ship draft = {{cvt|23|ft}}
 | Ship propulsion = [[S2G]], replaced by [[S2Wa]] in 1960, geared [[steam turbine]]s, two shafts, approx. {{convert|15000|shp|abbr=on}}<ref>Gardiner, Robert and Chumbley, Stephen, ''Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1947–1995'', p. 604, Conway Maritime Press, London:1995, {{ISBN|1-55750-132-7}}.</ref>
 | Ship speed =* {{convert|23|kn|lk=in}} (43 km/h) surfaced,
*{{convert|19|kn}} submerged
 | Ship range =
 | Ship complement =  101 officers and enlisted
 | Ship sensors =
 | Ship EW =
 | Ship armament = 6 × 21-inch (533 mm) [[torpedo tube]]s
 | Ship notes =
}}
|}

'''USS ''Seawolf'' (SSN-575)''' was the third ship of the [[United States Navy]] to be named for the [[Seawolf (fish)|seawolf]], the second [[nuclear submarine]], and the only US submarine built with a [[liquid metal cooled reactor|liquid metal cooled]] ([[sodium]]), [[beryllium]]-[[neutron moderator|moderated]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://lynceans.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Marine-Nuclear-Power-1939-2018_Part-2A_USA_submarines.pdf |title=Marine Nuclear Power: 1939–2018 – Part 2A: United States – Submarines |last=Lobner |first=Peter |date=July 2018 |publisher=The Lyncean Group of San Diego |access-date=29 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9TRUAAAAMAAJ&dq=s2g+reactor+beryllium&pg=SA25-PA6 | title=Naval Reactors Physics Handbook: The physics of intermediate spectrum reactors |editor-first=J. R. |editor-last=Stehn | date=26 March 1964 }}</ref> [[nuclear reactor]], the [[S2G reactor|S2G]].<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://enseccoe.org/data/public/uploads/2021/10/d1_the-future-role-of-nuclear-propulsion-in-the-military.pdf|title=The Future Role of Nuclear Propulsion in the Military|last=Trakimavičius|first=Lukas|website=NATO Energy Security Centre of Excellence|access-date=2021-10-15|archive-date=18 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018194534/https://enseccoe.org/data/public/uploads/2021/10/d1_the-future-role-of-nuclear-propulsion-in-the-military.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> Her overall design (known as [[Ship Characteristics Board|SCB 64A]]) was a variant of {{USS|Nautilus|SSN-571|2}}, but with numerous detail changes, such as a [[conning tower]], stepped [[Sail (submarine)|sail]], and the BQR-4 [[passive sonar]] mounted in the top portion of the [[Bow (watercraft)|bow]] instead of further below. This sonar arrangement resulted in an unusual bow shape above the water for a U.S. submarine. Originally laid down in 1953, her distinctive reactor was later replaced with a standard pressurized water reactor, the replacement process lasting from 12 December 1958 to 30 September 1960.<ref name="Friedman, 106">{{cite book
  | last = Friedman | first = Norman
  | title = U.S. Submarines Since 1945: An Illustrated Design History
  | year = 1994
  | publisher = [[United States Naval Institute]]   | location = [[Annapolis, Maryland]]
  | isbn = 1-55750-260-9
  | page = 106
}}
</ref>

== Comparison to ''Nautilus'' ==

''Seawolf'' was the same basic "double hull" twin-screw submarine design as her predecessor {{USS|Nautilus|SSN-571}}, but her propulsion system was more technologically advanced. The Submarine Intermediate Reactor (SIR) nuclear plant was designed by [[General Electric]]'s [[Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory]] and prototyped in [[Milton (town), New York|West Milton, New York]]. The prototype plant was eventually designated S1G and ''Seawolf''{{'}}s plant as [[S2G reactor|S2G]].

The [[United States Atomic Energy Commission|Atomic Energy Commission]] historians' account of the sodium-cooled reactor experience was:
{{Blockquote|Although makeshift repairs permitted the Seawolf to complete her initial sea trials on reduced power in February 1957, [[Rickover]] had already decided to abandon the sodium-cooled reactor. Early in November 1956, he informed the Commission that he would take steps toward replacing the reactor in ''Seawolf'' with a water-cooled plant similar to that in the Nautilus. The leaks in the Seawolf steam plant were an important factor in the decision but even more persuasive were the inherent limitations in sodium-cooled systems. In Rickover's words they were "expensive to build, complex to operate, susceptible to prolonged shutdown as a result of even minor malfunctions, and difficult and time-consuming to repair."<ref>{{cite book |pages=90–91 |chapter-url=http://fissilematerials.org/library/rr08.pdf#page=101 |chapter-format=pdf
  |chapter=Fast Reactor Development in the United States
  |title=Fast Breeder Reactor Programs: History and Status |first1=Thomas B. |last1=Cochran |first2=Harold A. |last2=Feiveson |first3=Frank |last3=von Hippel |publisher=International Panel on Fissile Materials
  |isbn=978-0-9819275-6-5 |date=February 2010
  |access-date=28 April 2014
}}</ref>}} The S2G reactor was replaced with a pressurized water reactor similar to ''Nautilus'' and designated S2Wa, the replacement process lasting from 12 December 1958 to 30 September 1960.{{sfnp|Friedman|1994| page=109 }}

Although fully armed, ''Seawolf'', like the first nuclear submarine, ''Nautilus'', was primarily an experimental vessel.  ''Seawolf'' was originally thought of publicly as a [[hunter-killer submarine]], but in fact was intended to be a one-off test platform for the SIR (aka S2G) LMFR reactor and future sonar platforms. Her future uses, after the reactor plant was replaced with a light water system, included covert operations in foreign waters, for which she was converted January 1971 – June 1973.<ref name="Friedman, 106" />

== Initial construction ==
[[File:Atomic Submarine Seawolf launching, Groton, Conn (89119).jpg|thumb|Postcard showing launch]]

''Seawolf'''s keel was laid down 7 September 1953, by the [[Electric Boat]] division of [[General Dynamics]] Corporation in [[Groton, Connecticut]]. She was [[ship naming and launching|launched]] on 21 July 1955 sponsored by Mary Elizabeth (Thomas) Cole,<ref>{{cite web |title=Attempt to christen the Seawolf (SSN-575) |url=http://www.navsource.net/archives/08/08575.htm |website=NavSource History |access-date=13 November 2022 |quote=The press caption read: ''Mrs. W. Sterling Cole, wife of the congressman from New York, wields the bottle of champagne as she christens the atomic submarine Seawolf today. She failed to break the bottle and it slipped out of her hand.''|at=http://www.navsource.net/archives/08/575/0857549.jpg}}</ref> wife of New York [[United States House of Representatives|Congressman]] [[W. Sterling Cole]],<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pearson |first1=Richard |title=Ex-Congressman W.S. Cole, Atomic Energy Expert, Dies |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1987/03/16/ex-congressman-ws-cole-atomic-energy-expert-dies/dbcd3ff4-9f40-4a40-b4a8-f770049f0f97/ |access-date=13 November 2022 |newspaper=Washington Post |date=16 March 1987 |quote=Survivors include his wife of 57 years, the former Mary Elizabeth Thomas, of Arlington...}}</ref> and [[ship commissioning|commissioned]] on 30 March 1957.

[[File:USS Seawolf (SSN-575) underway.JPG|thumb|right|USS ''Seawolf'']]
Like all of the original nuclear subs, the project manager at Electric Boat was the general manager of the company, Bill Jones.  During the parallel construction of the first nuclear submarines, the Navy, the [[United States Atomic Energy Commission|Atomic Energy Commission]], its independent labs, and the shipyard all worked together to learn together.{{citation_needed|date=August 2019}}

For the yard, the Power Plant Project manager was a separate function on these original nuclear subs.  Dennis B. Boykin&nbsp;III would lead EB's power plant installation, and return to the project two years later for the reactor conversion.  His counterpart at the Office of Naval Reactors, Gardner Brown, did the same.{{citation_needed|date=August 2019}}

Lieutenant [[Jimmy Carter|James Earl "Jimmy" Carter]], the only US President to [[Submarine Warfare insignia|qualify in submarines]], was to be her Engineering Officer, but had resigned his commission upon the death of his father in 1953.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/biographies-list/bios-c/carter-james-e.html |title=James Earl Carter, Jr. |work=Naval History and Heritage Command |date=19 October 1997 |access-date=20 February 2023 }}</ref>

== 1957–1959 ==
[[File:Seawolf SSN-575 with Essex.jpg|thumb|USS ''Seawolf'']]

''Seawolf'' departed [[New London, Connecticut]], on 2 April for her [[shakedown cruise]] off [[Bermuda]] and returned on 8 May. Between 16 May and 5 August, she made two voyages to [[Key West]] and participated in intensive [[Military exercise|training exercises]]. On 3 September, she steamed across the North Atlantic to participate in [[NATO]] [[Operation Strikeback|exercises]].  The submarine surfaced off [[Newport, Rhode Island]], on 25 September after cruising {{convert|6331|nmi}} nonstop. The next day, President of the United States [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] embarked and was taken for a short cruise onboard her.{{citation_needed|date=August 2019}}

''Seawolf'' cruised to the [[Caribbean Sea]] for an exercise in November. In December, she began an availability period that lasted until 6 February 1958. She then participated in exercises along the east coast until early August.{{citation_needed|date=August 2019}}

''Seawolf'' submerged on 7 August and did not surface again until 6 October. During this period, she logged over {{convert|13700|nmi}}.  She received the [[Navy Unit Commendation]]<ref name=BMB/>{{rp|344}} for demonstrating the ability of the nuclear-powered submarine to remain independent of the atmosphere for the period of a normal war patrol.{{citation_needed|date=August 2019}}

''Seawolf'' returned to Electric Boat Company in [[Groton, Connecticut]], on 12 December 1958, for conversion of her power plant from a [[S2G]] sodium-cooled [[LMFR]] to a [[S2Wa]] [[pressurized water reactor|PWR]]. She was out of commission until 30 September 1960.  The Office of Naval Reactors had determined that the unique superheated steam powerplant was too difficult to maintain, since the superheaters were rarely operational.  Constructed of rolled steel (vs forged steel), the superheaters were usually unable to allow the plant to operate at full capacity.{{citation_needed|date=August 2019}}

On 18 April 1959, the Navy disposed of the radioactive S2G plant by sealing it in a {{convert|30|ft|adj=on}} high stainless steel containment vessel, towing it out to sea on a [[barge]], and then sinking the barge at a point about {{convert|120|mi}} due east of Maryland in {{convert|9100|ft}} of water. Twenty-one years later, the Navy was unable to relocate the container, but said that the radioactive materials inside should decay before the containment vessel deteriorated.<ref>''[[The Boston Globe]]'', 17 May 1980</ref><ref>Facts on File 1980 Yearbook, p.458.</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://prop1.org/2000/accident/1989/8907a1.htm |title=Naval Nuclear Accidents: The Secret Story |last1=Arkin |first1=William M. |last2=Handler |first2=Joshua |magazine=Greenpeace |date=July 1989 |volume=14 |number=4}}</ref>

== 1960–1966 ==

''Seawolf'' began a three-week period of independent operations on 25 October, and returned to fleet operations in November and December. On 9 January 1961, ''Seawolf'' sailed to [[San Juan, Puerto Rico]], to participate in local operations. On 25 January, she was ordered to locate and track the Portuguese passenger liner ''[[Santa Maria hijacking|Santa Maria]]'' which had been seized by pirates two days earlier. The submarine made contact with the liner off the coast of [[Brazil]] on 1 February. After ''Santa Maria'' surrendered in [[Recife]], the submarine returned to San Juan and continued east coast operations.{{citation_needed|date=August 2019}}

On 7 July, ''Seawolf'' began a two-month oceanographic voyage which took her to [[Portsmouth]], England, before returning the vessel to New London on 19 September 1961.{{citation_needed|date=August 2019}}

In 1963, ''Seawolf'' participated in the search for the lost submarine {{USS|Thresher|SSN-593|6}} and in various local and fleet operations until April 1964. On 28 April, ''Seawolf'' stood out of New London en route to the [[Mediterranean Sea]] and a {{fraction|3|1|2}}-month deployment with the [[US 6th Fleet|Sixth Fleet]]. During the period, she operated with [[aircraft carrier]] {{USS|Enterprise|CVN-65|6}}, guided missile [[cruiser]] {{USS|Long Beach|CGN-9|2}}, and guided missile [[destroyer]] {{USS|Bainbridge|DLGN-25|2}} as a part of the world's first nuclear task force. More local East Coast exercises followed until 5 May 1965. On that date, the submarine entered the [[Portsmouth Naval Shipyard]] for [[Refueling and Overhaul|refueling and an extensive overhaul]] bringing her up to the [[SUBSAFE]] standard put in place after the loss of ''Thresher''. This overhaul lasted until September 1966.{{citation_needed|date=August 2019}}

== 1967–1973 ==

''Seawolf'' sailed from [[Portsmouth, New Hampshire]], on 24 August 1967 for [[New London, Connecticut]], which was again her home port. The following month, she sailed to the Caribbean Sea for refresher training and weapons trials. She had to have a propeller replaced at [[Charleston, South Carolina]], in early October and then conducted sea trials in the [[Bahama Islands]] for the remainder of the month. The end of the year 1967 found her back at her home port.{{citation_needed|date=August 2019}}

''Seawolf'' was operating from that port when she grounded off the coast of [[Maine]] on 30 January 1968,{{citation_needed|date=August 2019}} badly crushing her [[stern]].<ref name=BMB>{{cite book|title=Blind Man's Bluff: The Untold Story of American Submarine Espionage|last1=Sontag|first1=Sherry|last2=Drew|first2=Christopher|last3=Drew|first3=Annette Lawrence|date=4 March 2008 |publisher=PublicAffairs|isbn=978-1-58648-678-5}}</ref>{{rp|99}} She was towed back to [[New London, Connecticut]], for repairs and did not put to sea again until 20 March 1969, when she began sea trials. The submarine was in the Caribbean Sea during June and July conducting underwater sound and weapons systems tests.  ''Seawolf'' was deployed with the [[US 6th Fleet|Sixth Fleet]] from 29 September to 21 December 1969.{{citation_needed|date=August 2019}}

''Seawolf'' operated along the East Coast until 9 November 1970 when her home port was changed to [[Vallejo, California]], and she sailed for the West Coast. The submarine transited the [[Panama Canal]] on 17 November and changed operational control to Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet. In the Pacific, Seawolf would serve as a "spy submarine", trailing other submarines, retrieving test weapons from the seabed, and [[wiretapping|tapping]] [[USSR|Soviet]] [[submarine communications cables]].<ref name=BMB />

Upon arrival at [[Mare Island Naval Shipyard]], she entered drydock on 8 January 1971 for overhaul and conversion to a special project platform.  The sense of the euphemistic 'special project platform' can be gleaned from photos of the ships from before and after the renovation.  The {{convert|52|ft|adj=on}} hull extension forward of the sail held intelligence gathering equipment that supported covert operations, including an "aquarium" for launching variable depth sonar and retrieval equipment.  For precise maneuvering, she gained jet thrusters.  A saturation diver lockout was installed inside the hull, and a new gondola underneath the hull{{citation_needed|date=August 2019}} held retractable "skegs" (short for "sea keeping legs") for bottom station keeping.<ref name=BMB />{{rp|241}}  The ship remained there until 21 June 1973, when she moved up the coast to [[Naval Base Kitsap|Bangor, Washington]]. She would remain a special projects boat until
decommissioning.{{citation_needed|date=August 2019}}

''Seawolf'' returned to Mare Island on 4 September 1973.{{citation_needed|date=August 2019}}  But despite the frequent rebuilds, age was beginning to wear on the craft.  Records describe frequent fires and [[reactor scram]]s, [[life-support]] oxygenation failures, and crewmembers on amphetamines to maintain stamina.<ref name=BMB />{{rp|223}}

== 1974–1978 ==

In 1974, ''Seawolf'' completed post-conversion testing and evaluation period and conducted her first Pacific Fleet deployment, operating independently for a period of three months. For its performance of duty, she was awarded a second [[Navy Unit Commendation]]. In 1975, ''Seawolf'' came under the exclusive direction of Submarine Development Group One, and for outstanding performance in 1974–1975, was awarded a Battle Efficiency "E."{{citation_needed|date=August 2019}}

In 1976, ''Seawolf'' received her second consecutive Battle Efficiency "E" and the Engineering "E" for Excellence. During her second Pacific Fleet deployment, she conducted independent submerged operations for three months and demonstrated superior endurance by remaining submerged for 89 consecutive days, a U.S. Navy record.{{citation_needed|date=August 2019}} She received her third [[Navy Unit Commendation]].<ref name=BMB/>{{rp|344-349}}

In 1977, ''Seawolf'' received her third Battle Efficiency "E" and her second Engineering "E" for Excellence. During her third Pacific Fleet deployment, she conducted 79 consecutive days of independent submerged operations and received her fourth [[Navy Unit Commendation]]<ref name=BMB/>{{rp|350}} and the [[Navy Expeditionary Medal]]. In 1978, ''Seawolf'' conducted her fourth Pacific Fleet deployment.{{citation_needed|date=August 2019}}

== 1980–1987 ==
[[File:USS Sperry (AS-12) and retired submarines at Puget Sound 1993.JPEG|thumb|Decommissioned submarines at [[Puget Sound Naval Shipyard|Puget Sound]] in 1993. <br />''Seawolf'' is the long hull, second above the jetty, recognizable by the stepped [[Sail (submarine)|sail]] and the unusual bow shape.]]

On February 29, 1980, a [[turbine generator]] failed during [[sea trials]], causing a major fire in the Engine room, sending the ship back to drydock for two months, to enable a "soft patch" hull cut to remove one of the ship's large diesel engines which had melted on the end nearest the casualty.<ref name=BMB />{{rp|235}}

In August 1981, ''Seawolf'' deployed on her fifth Pacific Fleet deployment. By that point, the struggles to maintain the aged boat had stressed crew morale close to breaking.  Between missions, crewmembers had participated in makeshift target practice on mudflats near the base, or indulged in [[recreational marijuana]] contrary to naval regulations (and possibly as a scheme to make themselves ineligible for duty).<ref name=BMB />{{rp|254-255}}  Nevertheless, the boat proceeded to tap a submarine communications cable in the [[Sea of Okhotsk]], where she found herself trapped by an extreme storm.  Although most submarines are isolated from surface weather by [[boundary layer]] effects, the [[typhoon]] was sufficiently strong to shake  ''Seawolf'' so that her [[skeg]]s dug into the seabed, and clog the reactor [[heat exchanger]] with [[sand]].  In freeing herself, the ship ripped away from the underbelly gondola, leaving interior parts free to bang against the hull.  Without classic submarine silence, the submarine was easily detected by a Soviet [[fishing trawler]], but managed to outlast the ship into international waters.<ref name=BMB />{{rp|242-246}}  ''Seawolf'' returned to homeport in October 1981, and received the [[Navy Expeditionary Medal]].

In 1983, ''Seawolf'' conducted her sixth Pacific Fleet deployment of 76&nbsp;days and returned to [[Mare Island Naval Shipyard]] in May 1983. She was awarded the Navy Expeditionary Medal, another Battle Efficiency "E," another Engineering&nbsp;"E," a Supply&nbsp;"E," and a Damage Control "DC." In 1984, ''Seawolf'' conducted a 93-day deployment to the Western Pacific, returned in July, and continued her high operating tempo with numerous local operations. She was awarded her third consecutive Supply&nbsp;"E," a Communications "C," and the Deck Seamanship Award.{{citation_needed|date=August 2019}}

In April 1986, ''Seawolf'' conducted her last Western Pacific deployment and returned to Mare Island in June 1986 to prepare for decommissioning. Decommissioned 30 March 1987, ''Seawolf'' was stricken from the [[Naval Vessel Register]] the following 10 July. The former submarine began the Navy's [[Ship-Submarine Recycling Program]] on 1 October 1996 and completed it on 30 September 1997.{{citation_needed|date=August 2019}}

==Awards==
{{citation_needed|date=August 2019}}
*{{ribbon devices|number=3|type=service-star|ribbon=U.S. Navy Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}} [[Navy Unit Commendation]] with three stars (4 awards)
*[[File:Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|106px]] [[Meritorious Unit Commendation]]
*[[File:Battle Effectiveness Award ribbon, 3rd award.svg|106px]] [[Navy "E" Ribbon]] (3 awards)
*{{ribbon devices|number=2|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} [[Navy Expeditionary Medal]] with two stars (3 awards)
*[[File:National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|106px]] [[National Defense Service Medal]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}
*{{DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/s/seawolf-ii.html}}
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== External links ==

{{Commons category|USS Seawolf (SSN-575)}}
* [http://hazegray.org/danfs/submar/ssn575.txt    hazegray.org: USS ''Seawolf'']
* {{navsource|08/08575}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040417095038/http://www.submarinehistory.com/PresidentCarter.html  bio of President James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr.]
* [http://www.oralhistoryproject.com  World War II Submarine Veterans History Project]

{{US submarine classes after 1945}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Seawolf (Ssn-575)}}
[[Category:Submarines of the United States Navy]]
[[Category:Experimental nuclear submarines of the United States Navy]]
[[Category:Ships built in Groton, Connecticut]]
[[Category:1955 ships]]
[[Category:Cold War submarines of the United States]]