USS Jack (SSN-605): Difference between revisions
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{{short description|Submarine of the United States}} |
{{short description|Submarine of the United States}} |
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{{other ships|USS Jack}} |
{{other ships|USS Jack}} |
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{{Use American English|date=July 2015}} |
{{Use American English|date=July 2015}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}} |
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==Construction and commissioning== |
==Construction and commissioning== |
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The contract to build ''Jack'' was awarded to [[Portsmouth Naval Shipyard]] in [[Kittery, Maine|Kittery]], Maine, on 13 March 1959 and her [[Keel-laying|keel was laid down]] there on 16 September 1960. She was [[ship naming and launching|launched]] on 24 April 1963, sponsored by Mrs. Grace Groves, the wife of [[Lieutenant General (United States)|Lieutenant General]] [[Leslie R. Groves]], who had been the head of the [[Manhattan Project]]. She was [[ship commissioning|commissioned]] on 31 March 1967 |
The contract to build ''Jack'' was awarded to [[Portsmouth Naval Shipyard]] in [[Kittery, Maine|Kittery]], Maine, on 13 March 1959 and her [[Keel-laying|keel was laid down]] there on 16 September 1960. She was [[ship naming and launching|launched]] on 24 April 1963, sponsored by Mrs. Grace Groves, the wife of [[Lieutenant General (United States)|Lieutenant General]] [[Leslie R. Groves]], who had been the head of the [[Manhattan Project]]. She was [[ship commissioning|commissioned]] on 31 March 1967. The principal speaker at her commissioning ceremony was [[Rear Admiral (United States)|Rear Admiral]] [[James F. Calvert]], USN, who served with distinction in the [[Pacific War|Pacific]] during [[World War II]] on ''Jack'''s predecessor, the submarine {{USS|Jack|SS-259}}. |
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While ''Jack'' was under construction, her pre-commissioning crew won the annual Portsmouth Naval Shipyard "Admiral's Trophy" in 1966 for overall excellence in athletic competition during 1965. ''Jack'' was the first submarine to win the trophy.{{citation needed|date=November 2015}} |
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===Unique silencing features=== |
===Unique silencing features=== |
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''Jack'' was a variation on the standard ''Permit''-class design. She was {{convert|20|ft|m}} longer than her sisters and used an experimental direct-drive plant with two contra-rotating [[Propeller (marine)|propeller]]s on concentric shafts. This allowed the propellers to be smaller and thus make less noise (termed ''blade rate'') when interacting with the hull's uneven wake, with no loss of thrust. It was judged that the specialized |
''Jack'' was a variation on the standard ''Permit''-class design. She was {{convert|20|ft|m}} longer than her sisters and used an experimental direct-drive plant with two contra-rotating [[Propeller (marine)|propeller]]s on concentric shafts. This allowed the propellers to be smaller and thus make less noise (termed ''blade rate'') when interacting with the hull's uneven wake, with no loss of thrust. It was judged that the specialized turbine and extra shaft watertight packing required by this solution was less effective than the alternative adopted on the other ''Permits'': a much larger, scythe-shaped or skew-shaped propeller that interacted with the wake more slowly (another possible solution was the [[pump-jet]], which would be adopted on the later [[Seawolf-class submarine|Seawolf-class]]).<ref>Friedman, Submarines, pp 142</ref> |
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==Operational history== |
==Operational history== |
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===Early career=== |
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Upon commissioning, ''Jack'' was assigned to Commander [[Submarine Squadron 10]] in New London, Connecticut. ''Jack'' spent her entire career assigned to Squadron 10. After a [[shakedown cruise]] in the [[Caribbean]], ''Jack'' took her place in the operational fleet. |
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===1968=== |
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On 22 June 1968, Commander David G. Smith relieved Commander Urbanczyk of command of ''Jack'' at State Pier in [[New London, Connecticut|New London]], Connecticut. |
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In September and October 1968, the [[North Atlantic Treaty Organization]] (NATO) held Exercise Silver Tower, its largest combined naval exercise since 1964. The exercise – one of a series of major maritime exercises designed to test NATO plans and defenses under simulated battle conditions – brought together aircraft and about 200 ships from [[Belgium]], Canada, [[Denmark]], the [[Netherlands]], [[Norway]], [[Portugal]], the United Kingdom, the United States, and [[West Germany]], including [[destroyer]]s and [[frigate]]s from NATO's new multinational [[Standing Naval Force Atlantic]]. [[Soviet Navy]] ships shadowed the exercise, which depicted an imaginary threat to Norway posed by political and military pressure from an adversary nation called "Orange." During Silver Tower, ''Jack'' very successfully demonstrated the capabilities of a modern nuclear submarine, playing the role of an "Orange" submarine opposing both [[underway replenishment]] groups and a large [[Carrier battle group|aircraft carrier task force]], and she claimed a simulated sinking tonnage of 319,000 [[displacement ton]]s; during all of World War II, the three top-scoring United States Navy submarines – {{USS|Flasher|SS-249}}, {{USS|Rasher|SS-269}}, and {{USS|Tang|SS-306}} – had sunk a combined total of just over 293,956 [[gross register ton]]s of enemy merchant shipping and displacement tons of enemy warships. After the exercise, when key representatives from each participating ship assembled in the United Kingdom at [[Rosyth Dockyard]] in [[Rosyth]], [[Scotland]], for a presentation of the results of the exercise, ''Jack'' received special mention as a result of her outstanding performance during the exercise.{{citation needed|date=November 2015}} |
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After the conclusion of Silver Tower, ''Jack'' returned to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard late in 1968 for a four-month post-shakedown [[shipyard]] availability. |
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===1969=== |
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Completing the availability in March 1969, ''Jack'' participated in a Caribbean training exercise, Exercise Springboard. As a result of ''Jack'''s performance during the exercise, her weapons department was awarded the [[Battle Effectiveness Award|Battle Efficiency "E"]] for [[Fire-control system|fire control]] excellence.{{citation needed|date=November 2015}} |
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Later in 1969, ''Jack'' was assigned a secret special operation. The performance of the crew during that operation resulted in the following letter from the Chief of Naval Operations:{{citation needed|date=November 2015}} |
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{{blockquote| |
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"The [[United States Secretary of the Navy|Secretary of the Navy]] takes pleasure in presenting the [[Meritorious Unit Commendation]] to USS JACK (SSN-605) for service as set forth in the following CITATION: |
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"For meritorious service during a period in 1969 in conducting an important and arduous independent submarine operation. In successfully completing the operation, USS JACK achieved significant results of great importance to the national defense of the United States. These results were attained primarily through the professional skills, resoursefulness, and teamwork of USS JACK's officers and men. Their dedication to the fulfillment of a vital and difficult assignment reflects credit upon themselves and the United States Naval Service. All personnel attached to and serving on board USS JACK (SSN-605) during the period of this citation are hereby authorized to wear the Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon. |
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"For the Secretary, /s/ [[Thomas Hinman Moorer|T. H. Moorer]], [[Admiral (United States)|Admiral]], United States Navy, [[Chief of Naval Operations]]." |
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}} |
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''Jack'' later received a second Meritorious Unit Commendation.{{when|date=November 2015}}{{citation needed|date=November 2015}} |
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<!-- (THEN A SECOND AWARD OF THE MUC) ''when? and for what? --> |
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On 26 June 1969 ''Jack'' tested the performance of an armed [[Mark 16 torpedo]] by sinking a [[target ship]], the [[Ship decommissioning|decommissioned]] [[destroyer escort]] {{USS|Snowden|DE-246}}.{{citation needed|date=November 2015}} |
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===1970=== |
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During the summer of 1970, while ''Jack'' was engaged in [[Midshipman#United States Navy from 1845|midshipmen]] training at the [[United States Naval Academy]] in [[Annapolis, Maryland|Annapolis]], Maryland, she was awarded the Battle Efficiency "E" by [[COMSUBLANT|Commander, Submarine Force, Atlantic]].{{citation needed|date=November 2015}} |
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===1971=== |
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On 11 February 1971, ''Jack'' arrived at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard to begin an extensive, 12-month overhaul.{{citation needed|date=November 2015}} |
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===1972=== |
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In early 1972, toward the end of her overhaul, the [[United States Atlantic Fleet]]'s Operational Reactor Safeguards Examining Board inspected ''Jack''. The board conducted interviews of crew members, observed operational drills, examined records, and tested the knowledge of crew members. Upon completion of the inspection, ''Jack'' received the highest grade awarded by the fleet commander's examining board.{{citation needed|date=November 2015}} |
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On 22 July 1972, Commander Thomas F. Wiener relieved Commander David G. Smith as commanding officer of ''Jack''. Shortly thereafter, on 31 July 1972 ''Jack'' deployed to the [[Mediterranean]]{{citation needed|date=November 2015}} as part of a build-up of the US navy in that operational area. Jack was the first nuclear submarine to make port at the newly opened submarine base in [[La Maddalena, Italy]]. Jack conducted several special operations while in the Mediterranean and returned to New London on 21 January 1973. |
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===1980=== |
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{{Unreferenced section|date=October 2019}}From October 1975 to January 1978, the ship was given a major overhaul, including main engine overhaul and refueling, at the [[Portsmouth Naval Shipyard]] in [[Kittery, Maine]]. During sea trials in the North Atlantic, [[Sea state|state six seas]] allowed a rush of seawater to travel down the induction mast, overflowing the induction sump and into the battery breaker room. This caused an explosion and fire. Several people were injured; according to [[Hospital corpsman|HM1]] Rodger Burdock, "one sonar tech had his ear drums totally sucked out by a bad valve line up for venting." Despite the accident, the ship passed sea trials and traveled to [[Groton, Connecticut|Groton]], [[Connecticut]]. Continuing on to sound trials, mark 48 weapons certification, and various training missions during '77–'78, the ship suffered a main engine failure off the coast of [[North Carolina]], and had to be towed back to Groton. |
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===1981=== |
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On 27 April 1981, ''Jack'' was moored alongside the [[amphibious transport dock]] {{USS|Trenton|LPD-14}} in heavy [[Swell (ocean)|swells]] at [[Alexandria]], [[Egypt]], when she collided with ''Trenton''. Both ships suffered slight damage.{{citation needed|date=November 2015}} |
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===1982–1990=== |
===1982–1990=== |
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Near the end of September 1982, ''Jack'' went to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine for a 27-month overhaul. In April 1983, while in dry dock, she suffered a casualty. While conducting a hydrostatic test of the oxygen banks, the shipyard was using Freon (R-12) as the fluid to conduct the test (the Freon would leave no residue and potential contamination in the O2 banks upon evaporation after the test). One of the shipyard workers was unable to get out of the engineering space in time, and succumbed to the oxygen deprivation effects of the Freon and was not able to be revived.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.upi.com/Archives/1983/04/05/A-Kittery-Naval-Shipyard-worker-was-killed-and-10/8080418366800/ | title=A Kittery Naval Shipyard worker was killed and 10… | publisher=UPI | date=5 April 1983}}</ref> |
Near the end of September 1982, ''Jack'' went to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine for a 27-month overhaul. In April 1983, while in dry dock, she suffered a casualty. While conducting a hydrostatic test of the oxygen banks, the shipyard was using Freon (R-12) as the fluid to conduct the test (the Freon would leave no residue and potential contamination in the O2 banks upon evaporation after the test). One of the shipyard workers was unable to get out of the engineering space in time, and succumbed to the oxygen deprivation effects of the Freon and was not able to be revived.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.upi.com/Archives/1983/04/05/A-Kittery-Naval-Shipyard-worker-was-killed-and-10/8080418366800/ | title=A Kittery Naval Shipyard worker was killed and 10… | publisher=UPI | date=5 April 1983}}</ref> |
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<!--''History from 1982 to 1990 needed.''--> |
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==Decommissioning and disposal== |
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Jack was formally decommissioned and stricken from the naval register on 11 July 1990. ex-Jack was then sent to Washington state to be disposed of by the Ship-Submarine Nuclear Recycling Program, 'dying' on 30 June 1992. |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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Other submarines with unique silencing features |
Other submarines with unique silencing features |
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* |
*{{USS|Narwhal|SSN-671}} |
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* |
*{{USS|Glenard P. Lipscomb|SSN-685}} |
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== References == |
== References == |
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Latest revision as of 04:03, 6 February 2023
.jpg) USS Jack (SSN-605), probably during sea trials off New England in 1967.
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| History | |
|---|---|
 United States | |
| Name | USS Jack |
| Namesake | The jack, a name of various types of fish |
| Ordered | 13 March 1959 |
| Builder | Portsmouth Naval Shipyard |
| Laid down | 16 September 1960 |
| Launched | 24 April 1963 |
| Sponsored by | Mrs. Grace Groves |
| Commissioned | 31 March 1967 |
| Decommissioned | 11 July 1990 |
| Stricken | 11 July 1990 |
| Motto | We try harder! |
| Fate | Ship-Submarine Recycling Program completed 30 June 1992 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Permit-class submarine |
| Displacement | 3,968 tons surfaced |
| Length | 297 ft 4 in (90.63 m) |
| Beam | 31 ft 7 in (9.63 m) |
| Draft | 25 ft 4 in (7.72 m) |
| Propulsion | S5W reactor |
| Speed | More than 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph) |
| Complement | 95 officers and men |
| Armament | 4 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes |
USS Jack (SSN-605), a Permit-class submarine in commission from 1967 to 1990, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for the jack, a name of fish applied to any young pike, large California rockfish, or green pike or pickerel. She saw extensive service during the Cold War.
Construction and commissioning[edit]
The contract to build Jack was awarded to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine, on 13 March 1959 and her keel was laid down there on 16 September 1960. She was launched on 24 April 1963, sponsored by Mrs. Grace Groves, the wife of Lieutenant General Leslie R. Groves, who had been the head of the Manhattan Project. She was commissioned on 31 March 1967. The principal speaker at her commissioning ceremony was Rear Admiral James F. Calvert, USN, who served with distinction in the Pacific during World War II on Jack's predecessor, the submarine USS Jack (SS-259).
Unique silencing features[edit]
Jack was a variation on the standard Permit-class design. She was 20 feet (6.1 m) longer than her sisters and used an experimental direct-drive plant with two contra-rotating propellers on concentric shafts. This allowed the propellers to be smaller and thus make less noise (termed blade rate) when interacting with the hull's uneven wake, with no loss of thrust. It was judged that the specialized turbine and extra shaft watertight packing required by this solution was less effective than the alternative adopted on the other Permits: a much larger, scythe-shaped or skew-shaped propeller that interacted with the wake more slowly (another possible solution was the pump-jet, which would be adopted on the later Seawolf-class).[1]
Operational history[edit]
1982–1990[edit]
Near the end of September 1982, Jack went to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine for a 27-month overhaul. In April 1983, while in dry dock, she suffered a casualty. While conducting a hydrostatic test of the oxygen banks, the shipyard was using Freon (R-12) as the fluid to conduct the test (the Freon would leave no residue and potential contamination in the O2 banks upon evaporation after the test). One of the shipyard workers was unable to get out of the engineering space in time, and succumbed to the oxygen deprivation effects of the Freon and was not able to be revived.[2]
Jack was formally decommissioned and stricken from the naval register on 11 July 1990. ex-Jack was then sent to Washington state to be disposed of by the Ship-Submarine Nuclear Recycling Program, 'dying' on 30 June 1992.
See also[edit]
Other submarines with unique silencing features
References[edit]
Notes[edit]
- ^ Friedman, Submarines, pp 142
- ^ "A Kittery Naval Shipyard worker was killed and 10…". UPI. 5 April 1983.
Sources[edit]
This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.- Friedman, Norman (1994). U.S. Submarines Since 1945: An Illustrated Design History. Annapolis, Maryland: United States Naval Institute. ISBN 1-55750-260-9.
