USS SNOOK SSN 592

592c 592c1
Displacement: 3070 tons (surfaced), 3500 tons (submerged)
Length: 251.8 feet
Beam: 31.8 feet
Speed: 15k (surface), 29k (submerged)
Test Depth: 700 feet
Armament: 6 - 21" torpedo tubes (forward)
Complement: 9 Officers, 76 enlisted men
Class: SKIPJACK

SNOOK's motto "Festina Lente" is Latin for "Make haste slowly"
or
"Hurry up and wait!"

History of the Snook

KEEL LAID........................................................7 April 1958

LAUNCHED...............................................31 October 1960

COMMISSIONED......................................24 October 1961

SPONSOR....................Mrs. George L. WALLING

SNOOK is honored to have Mrs. George L. WALLING
as her sponsor. Mrs. WALLING is the mother of
CDR John F. WALLING, USN, who was the last
Commanding Officer of USS SNOOK (SS-279)
and lost in action with his ship in April 1945.

BUILT BY The Ingalls Shipbuilding Corporation
Pascagoula, Mississippi

SNOOK'S NAME

USS SNOOK is named for a fish known scientifically as Centropomus undecimalis (BLOCH). It belongs to the family of spiny rayed fishes known as the Centropomus, robalitos, and sergeant fishes. Members of this family may be recognized by the dark streak along the lateral side of the body, a picklock appearance, and two fins on the back, of which the first contains very strong spines. They occur in tropical and subtropical waters, along both the Atlantic and Pacific shores of the American Continent.

The Snook ranges along our Atlantic and Gulf Coast from Florida and Texas southward through the West Indies and Panama to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, living along the coast and ascending fresh water streams a short distance. It is known to anglers in Florida as a fishing game fish.

The color of the Snook is bluish gray above and silvery below; the sides often have dusky punctulation; the fins are pale or dusky, but never blackish; the lateral line is black. It attains a length of about four feet and a weight of fifteen to twenty pounds. It is especially voracious, rushing its prey like a black streak. Food is quickly devoured by the aid of the strong teeth and large mouth. It is well protected from enemies by the sharp spines on the gill covers and by the strong spines in the fins.

Give us a name, the Navy said, which conveys a sneaking measure of dread; Of shadows searching in waters still, where the lean barracuda lurks to kill; So they looked it up in their Naval book; And they said "good sirs, we give you the SNOOK!" Now the snook is a killer which strikes where it sneaks, and which follows a scent without stopping for weeks; And when ready to strike it breathes a faint smell; of derision and sulfur and brimstone from hell; Which to those to be "snookered" is a little reminder. That the SNOOK can't be caught by those who can't find her.

SNOOK's Launching Halloween
31 October, 1961

SNOOK'S HERITAGE

    The USS SNOOK (SSN 592) is the second submarine to bear the name. The first USS SNOOK (SS 279) was built by the Portsmouth Navy Yard, New Hampshire. She was placed in commission 24 October, 1942 under the command of LCDR C.O. TRIEBEL, USN. On completion of shakedown training off the New England coast, she left New London, Connecticut on 3 March, 1943 enroute to the Pacific, arriving in Pearl Harbor on 30 March, 1943.
    SNOOK left Pearl Harbor on her first war patrol 11 April, 1943; the first of five patrols conducted under the command of Commander TRIEBEL, which earned her five battle stars. On 7 March, 1944 after the fifth patrol, CDR TRIEBEL was relieved by LCDR G.H. Browne, USN, who commanded SNOOK during her sixth and seventh war patrols, adding two more battle stars to her credit for a total of seven.
    On 5 December, 1944 CDR John F. WALLING, USN, assumed command and SNOOK sailed on Christmas Day 1944 for her eighth war patrol, stopping off at Midway for last minute alterations in preparation for cold weather operations off the Kuril Islands. Underway from Midway on 30 December she encountered heavy gales, low visibility, extreme cold, and drifting ice. Her only sightings were two Russian vessels except for momentary contact with a small patrol vessel which was promptly lost. She returned to Midway on 17 February, 1945.
    SNOOK was lost while conducting her ninth war patrol. She formed a "Wolf Pack" with BURRFISH (SS 312) and BANG (SS 385), under the tactical command of CDR WALLING, Commanding Officer of SNOOK. Known as "Walling's Whalers," the Wolf Pack left Guam on 25 March, 1945 with orders to patrol Luzon Strait, the South China Coast and waters along the east coast of Hainan. The submarines were also to perform lifeguard duties for Philippine based planes as directed by radio dispatch. SNOOK returned to Guam for emergency repairs on 27-28 March, 1945, then rejoined her group. She sent daily weather reports as she headed westward until 1 April when she was directed to discontinue the practice. On that day she was ordered to join a wolf pack known as "Hiram's Hecklers" under CDR Hiram CASSEDY in TIGRONE (SS 419). "Walling's Whalers" had been disbanded when BANG and BURRFISH were assigned lifeguard missions. On 8 April, 1945 SNOOK reported her position to TIGRONE as 180^o 40' N, 111^o 39' E. She did not acknowledge messages sent from TIGRONE the next day and it was assumed that SNOOK had moved eastward toward Luzon Strait. On 12 April SNOOK was ordered to take lifeguard station in the vicinity of Sakeshima Gunto in support of a British Carrier air strike. On 20 April, 1945 the British carrier task force commander reported one of his carrier planes downed in the station assigned to SNOOK and stated he was unable to contact her by radio. BANG was dispatched to the area where she rescued three British aviators but saw no sign of SNOOK.
    SNOOK was never heard from again and the circumstances of her loss were never determined. Japanese records of anti-submarine attacks do not account for her sinking and she had been fully informed of the location of minefields in the Sakeshima Gunto area. It is possible that she was the victim of a Japanese submarine. Five Japanese submarines were lost in waters of the Nansei Shoto during April and May of 1945; one of these may have sunk SNOOK before its own sinking by United States warships.
    The old SNOOK had a unique reputation amongst the submariners of World War II for aggressiveness and nerve. She fought gallantly, she was always ready to improvise in the face of unexpected situations and she handled her patrol assignments with dispatch and distinction. Her heritage is a proud one. "The old order changeth, yielding place to new, and God fulfills himself in many ways, lest one good custom should corrupt the world"

SHIP'S HISTORY

    SNOOK is one of a radically different and faster class of submarines. Her blunt nose, "football" shaped hull, devoid of superstructure, makes SNOOK and her four sister ships (SKIPJACK, SCULPIN, SCAMP, SHARK) hydrodynamically superior to other submarines. The combination of this hull form and a powerful nuclear reactor plant makes possible the highest submerged speed yet attained.
    SNOOK's keel was laid down at the Ingalls Shipbuilding Corporation in Pascagoula, Mississippi on 7 April, 1958 and she was launched on Halloween Day, 31 October, 1960. SNOOK is honored to have Mrs. George L. WALLING as her sponsor. Mrs. WALLING is the mother of Commander J.F. WALLING, U.S. Navy who was Commanding Officer of the first submarine USS SNOOK (SS 279) when she was lost in action during World War II in April 1945.
    Commander Howard BUCKNELL, III, U.S. Navy was first to take command of the new nuclear powered submarine SNOOK at her commissioning on 24 October, 1961.
    SNOOK left Pascagoula and transited the Panama Canal to the Pacific in November 1961. She conducted sound and torpedo trials in the Puget Sound area before turning to San Diego, her home port, to complete her post construction shakedown period.
    On 1 February, 1962 SNOOK reported to Mare Island Naval Shipyard for post shakedown shipyard availability. Following her Final Acceptance Trials at Mare Island in May 1962, SNOOK conducted type training off San Diego. On 23 June, 1962 SNOOK departed San Diego to deploy as a unit of the SEVENTH Fleet in the Far East. It is believed that this was the first extensive (6 months) deployment of a nuclear submarine. SNOOK operated with various surface and air units of the powerful United States SEVENTH Fleet, spending a total of 181 days away from her home port. During that time she steamed a total of 41,000 miles, 37,000 of which were completely submerged. During one period of extended training operations, the ship submerged and did not surface again for 55 consecutive days, depending entirely upon her nuclear reactor plant and atmosphere control equipment to keep her comfortably isolated from the outside world.
    SNOOK returned to San Diego on 21 December, 1962 and moored to the new Submarine Pier at Ballast Point. The first month of 1963 was spent conducting type training in the local operating areas off San Diego. On 1 February, SNOOK entered Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, California for extensive improvements to her hull fittings and hull welds. On 23 February, 1963, Commander W.K. YATES, U.S. Navy relieved Commander BUCKNELL as Commanding Officer.
    SNOOK left the shipyard on 23 August, 1963 and returned to San Diego for type training. On 2 January, 1964 she again deployed to the Western Pacific to join the SEVENTH Fleet. During this second deployment, SNOOK took part in many major fleet exercises and spent 120 days at sea out of a total of 163 days deployed. SNOOK steamed 31,000 miles during this period, 29,000 of which were completely submerged. On 14 June SNOOK returned to San Diego after a successful deployment. On 13 July SNOOK entered Mare Island Naval Shipyard for routine repair and a new electronic equipment installation. SNOOK left the yard on 1 November and returned to San Diego.
    On 14 November, 1964 Commander J.D. WATKINS, U.S. Navy relieved Commander YATES as Commanding Officer. The remainder of the year was spent in the testing of the new electronics equipment and routine submarine type training in the San Diego operating areas.
    After participating in local operations off San Diego early in the new year, SNOOK departed San Diego on 19 March, 1965 for her third extended deployment to the Western Pacific as a unit of the SEVENTH Fleet. Highlights of this deployment were port calls made to Sasebo, Japan and Chinhae, Korea. SNOOK was the second nuclear submarine to visit Japan and the first nuclear submarine to visit Korea. During varied operations with the SEVENTH Fleet, SNOOK cruised submerged for 5 out of 6 months, steaming 34,000 miles of which 32,000 were submerged.
    On 25 September, 1965 SNOOK returned to San Diego, ending a highly successful deployment. After a well deserved leave and upkeep period, the next six months were spent conducting local operations off San Diego, undergoing sound trials at Carr Inlet, Washington, and dry docking at Mare Island.
    SNOOK departed San Diego on 16 April, 1966 for her fourth extended deployment to the Western Pacific. During this deployment, SNOOK visited Naha, Okinawa; Yokosuka, Japan; Subic Bay, Philippine Islands; Hong Kong, Chinae, Korea; and Sasebo, Japan. SNOOK was the first nuclear powered ship to visit Yokosuka, and during the port call at Chinhae, President Park Chug Hee of the Republic of South Korea embarked on SNOOK for a Andy familiarization cruise. On 18 July, SNOOK was awarded the Battle Efficiency "E" for Submarine Division THIRTY-ONE. On 3 September, Commander Avery K. LOPOSER, U.S. Navy relieved Commander WATKINS as Commanding Officer.
    SNOOK returned to San Diego on 19 November, 1966, having steamed 35,000 miles of which 34,000 were submerged. The remainder of the year was spent in holiday leave and upkeep. On 13 December, SNOOK was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation for operations performed during the Spring of 1965.
    SNOOK participated in various local operations off San Diego during the early months of 1967. On 19 March, 1967 SNOOK departed San Diego for a fourteen month overhaul and her first refueling at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington.

USS Archerfish AGSS 311

On 30 June, 1968, her first overhaul complete, SNOOK returned to San Diego, California. She participated in various local operations off San Diego which included the sinking of the USS ARCHERFISH (AGSS 311). According to the "Official Naval Message" from COMSUBRON FIVE to CNO, Date Time Group 172314Z Oct 68, gives the date/time of sinking Archerfish as Oct 17, 1968 at 22-26-42Z (to the nearest second). Position is Lat/Lon 32 Degrees 23.0'N/122 Degrees 58.1'W. Two MK 37-2 and one MK 14-5 torpedoes were employed by Snook. The first Mk 37-2 did not acquire or attack the target. The second MK 37-2 hit the stern and detonated but did not sink the target. The MK 14-5 hit between the after end of the conning tower and the after battery hatch (perfect amidships hit), lifted her out of the water, broke her in half, and it was all over.

Archerfish Sunk by Snook

The sinking of Archerfish by Snook

    From January through April 1969, following the Christmas leave and upkeep period, SNOOK took part in various HUKASWEX exercises and preparation for overseas deployment. In May 1969 SNOOK once again departed for an extended deployment in the Western Pacific.
    SNOOK's fifth Western Pacific deployment lasted seven months and seven days; the longest deployment yet for SNOOK. Ports of call were Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; Subic Bay, Philippines; Buckner Bay, Okinawa; Yokosuka, Japan; and Hong Kong, British Crown Colony.
    On August 5, 1969 at the completion of the first of three extended operations of the deployment, Commander W.T. HUSSEY relieved Commander A.K. LOPOSER as Commanding Officer of the SNOOK, at Subic Bay, Philippines. Commander HUSSEY's parents Vice Admiral George F. HUSSEY, Jr., USN (Ret) and Mrs. HUSSEY were present at the ceremonies.
    SNOOK returned to San Diego on 22 December, 1969 and relaxed into holiday routine which gave the crew a well earned rest. Late in January, SNOOK returned to sea participating in exercise UPTIDE with other units of the First Fleet.
    In June 1970, SNOOK went to Mare Island Naval Shipyard for an interim Dry Docking. After leaving Mare Island in September 1970, SNOOK returned to San Diego to participate in ASW exercises and various training operations in preparation for deployment early in 1971.
    On 4 January, 1971 SNOOK departed San Diego for the sixth Western Pacific deployment for this well traveled nuclear submarine. SNOOK left port at 1000 headed for Pearl Harbor and a one week period of upkeep, final system checkout, and briefings by Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Staff. During the six month deployment the ship spent 137 days at sea, nearly 70% of the total time away from San Diego, and steamed approximately 38,500 miles, 38,000 miles submerged.
    The ship visited the ports of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; Buckner Bay, Okinawa; Yokosuka, Japan; Hong Kong; Pusan, Korea; Guam, M.I.; and Subic Bay, Philippines. The longest in port period was spent in Yokosuka, Japan making preparations for an extended two month operation. While deployed in the Western Pacific the SNOOK operated with various ships of the SEVENTH Fleet and the Japanese Self Defense Force.
    The SNOOK returned to San Diego on 12 July, 1971 and remained in port for the next two months for leave and upkeep. During the month of August, the ship made preparations to participate in two major fleet exercises ROPEVAL 3-71 and UPTIDE 3A scheduled for September and early October.
    On 8 September, 1971 the SNOOK left San Diego for a ten day Fleet training exercise involving many Naval vessels of the U.S. FIRST Fleet. Returning late on the 17th of September, the SNOOK remained in port for twelve days, installing special electronic equipment for the second ten day exercise.
    Early on the eighth of October, SNOOK returned to San Diego and spent the last two months of the year conducting local weekly operations off San Diego. from January to early May 1972, SNOOK conducted local operations and a seven week Restricted Availability alongside the USS DIXON (AS 37). This is the first time such an effort was attempted by a tender on a nuclear submarine.
    On 11 May, 1972, about 2300, SNOOK was ordered to deploy within 48 hours to the Western Pacific for an extended deployment. With a great effort by all hands, SNOOK was readied and set sail at 1200, 13 May, 1972, just 37 hours after notification.
    SNOOK remained away from San Diego until 27 July, 1972. During deployment SNOOK visited Subic Bay, Philippines; Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; and Kaohsiung, Republic of China. SNOOK was only the third nuclear submarine to visit Kaohsiung. SNOOK participated in operations in support of U.S. Forces in Vietnam as part of her assigned tasks.
    SNOOK spent two weeks at home with families and friends then departed for a nine week Restricted Availability and Dry Docking at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.
    On 10 October, 1972, while in the shipyard, Commander W.T. HUSSEY was relieved by Commander J.D. COSSEY as Commanding Officer, USS SNOOK. After leaving Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Snook conducted sound trials in Washington (Puget Sound) in preparation for a West Pac. It was during these sound trials that Snook had a "close encounter" with the bottom of Dabob Bay.
    SNOOK got underway on 10 January, 1973 for her eighth deployment with the SEVENTH Fleet. During this deployment, SNOOK visited Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and Guam in the Marianas. She returned to San Diego on 16 June and began a four week, post deployment leave and upkeep period, followed by another four weeks engaged in sonar evaluation tests. On 26 November 1973, following her participation in COMUTEX 12-73, SNOOK entered Mare Island Naval Shipyard to begin a refueling overhaul.
    During the 1976 West Pac, Snook visited Hawaii, Guam, Yokosuka, Pusan Korea, PI, Hong Kong, PI, Perth-Freemantle Australia, before returning to San Diego. During the 1976 West Pac in May, Commander J.D. Cossey was relieved by Commander Robert C. Smith as Commanding Officer, USS SNOOK.
    During the 1978 West Pac, Snook visited Hawaii, Yokosuka, Chin Hai Korea, PI, and Guam. Snook returned to Mare Island Naval Shipyard in 1979 before transfer to the Atlantic in 1980.
    USS SNOOK was decommissioned 8 October 1986, struck from the Navy List 14 November and was scheduled for disposal through the SRP at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.

Newspaper headline

Newspaper article from Vallejo Times-Herald dated 28 March, 1974

NOTE:If you have more history of the SNOOK after 1974 contact me at kb5rex@gmail.com

ENGINEERING PLANT

Primary System

The primary coolant water is kept pressurized to ensure that boiling will not take place in the reactor. The reactor gives up heat to the primary coolant which is then forced through the steam generator tubes where it gives up heat to form steam on the shell or secondary side of the boiler. The primary coolant is then pumped back into the reactor where it is heated again.

Secondary System

The secondary system is the steam system. It is completely isolated from the primary system since the primary water goes through the tubes of the steam generator while the secondary water, which is boiling to make steam, is on the shell side. Steam then flows back to the engine room where it drives ship's service turbo generator sets and the main propulsion turbines.

Reliability

SNOOK's nuclear propulsion plant is built to conform to exacting engineeringstandards. The shock resisting and strength characteristics of the reactor virtually rule out physical damage. Every control feature of the power plant and of the ship has at least one backup method of operation in addition to the normal mode. The propeller is made to the same standards of strength as are ice breaker propellers.

Radiation

When the reactor is in operation the lower level of the reactor compartment is kept isolated and personnel cannot enter this space. Within a few minutes after shutdown the lower level reactor compartment can be entered to perform maintenance work. The shielding of the SNOOK reactor reduces the radiation to a level such that, during a cruise lasting the life of the reactor, the average crew member will receive less radiation that he would during a lifetime of x-rays and cosmic rays and natural radioactivity in the sea, air, drinking water, and ground. In one year of operation the average crew member will receive less than the Bureau of Standards allowable radiation dosage for one week.

Newspaper Clippings

Reprinted from Ingalls News, July 20, 1962

SNOOK Gets New Assignment

The first submarine assigned by the Navy to work solely with a hunter-killer (HUK) group of surface ships and aircraft has been the Ingalls-built nuclear-powered sub SNOOK SS(N)592.

SNOOK sailed secretly from her home port of San Diego recently for her hunter-killer, anti-submarine warfare mission and her movement was kept secret until she reached Pearl Harbor.

In revealing the SNOOK's new assignment, Captain David H. McClintok, Commodore of Submarine Flotilla I, pointed out its significance.

For the first time a HUK group has the best anti-submarine platform right on the spot, a fast moving, deep-diving atomic submarine that can carry its sonar into the deep and move into attack with its homing torpedoes if necessary.

For the duration of of her seven month deployment with the Seventh Fleet, SNOOK becomes part of Carrier Division 17, HUK group commanded by RADM T.A. Christopher. His flagship and counterpiece around which the group is formed is the anti-submarine aircraft carrier HORNET (CVS-12).

SNOOK is commanded by CDR Howard Bucknell, who was given command of the sub upon her commissioning here last October.

Reprinted from Periscope December 4, 1964

SNOOK Gets New Command Head

Commander James D. Watkins took command of the nuclear-powered submarine USS SNOOK (SSN592), Nov. 14, during military ceremonies aboard the ship at the Ballast Point submarine pier.

CDR Watkins coming from the Office of the Manager, Naval Reactors, Washington, D.C., relieved CDR William Yates, who has been ordered to duty as Commanding Officer of the Blue Crew of the USS JOHN ADAMS (SSBN 620).

The new commanding officer is a graduate of the University of California, Berkley, with a master of science degree in mechanical engineering and is also a graduate of the Class of 1949, U.S. Naval Academy.

One of the highlights of CDR Watkins' naval career is Korean Conflict service in the western Pacific aboard the SubFlot ONE submarine USS VOLADOR (SS490).

Reprinted from Norwich Bulletin May 31, 1966

Jap Leftists Protest U.S. N-Sub Call

YOKOSUKA, Japan (AP) - This U.S. Naval base city resounded Monday with yells of "Yankee go home", "America get out of Yokosuka" and "Go home, Snook!"

Japanese leftists - numbering about 12,000 in all - staged three demonstrations during the day after the U.S. nuclear submarine Snook slid in quietly to give her crew three days of rest and recreation.

Sponsors of the demonstrations promised even bigger ones Tuesday and Wednesday.

Most of the demonstrators were brought in from outside this 315,000 population city by the Socialist and Communist parties. Most local citizens appeared to either approve the port call or were indifferent to it.

About 10,000 yelling unionists carrying red flags and "Go home, Snook" placards shook their fists and shouted, "America get out of Yokosuka!" As they marched past the main gate of the U.S. base, barricaded by police buses and a human wall of Japanese riot police wearing steel helmets with plastic visors and night sticks hanging from their belts.

About 150 radical Zengakuren students staged a sitdown on the street facing the main gate but were surrounded by policemen and bodily removed after the main column of demonstrators had passed.

About 200 students had caught police unprepared early in the morning and managed to break past half a dozen U.S. Marine guards at the main gate for a few minutes until they were pushed out by Japanese police who had been standing further back inside the gate.

Reprinted from San Diego paper August 14, 1976

U.S. N-sub gets jump on protest

Perth, Australia (AP) - The Snook, the first American nuclear powered submarine to enter an Australian port, slipped into it's berth an hour early today, avoiding maritime union demonstrators who had come to protest the ships arrival.

Demonstrators waited at Gage Road, four miles from the docking facility on Garden Island and at the gates of the causeway connecting the island to the Australia mainland five miles away. But the ship was in berth before they appeared.

The demonstrators were members of the Australian maritime unions. They claim that nuclear powered ships cause contamination of the sea and air. Their protest apparently was not against the United States or its Navy, but against the use of nuclear power to propel seagoing vessels.

The demonstrators said they had planted monitoring devices near the submarine's berth to detect any contamination.

The Snook is the fourth nuclear powered U.S. ship and the first nuclear powered U.S. submarine to come to Australia. Previously, two nuclear guided missile carriers and a nuclear aircraft carrier had visited Australia.

The Snook was commissioned October 24, 1961, and is one of the Skipjack class of attack submarines, the fastest in service. It was built at an approximate cost of $40 million.

Reprint source unknown February 5, 1977

Submarine Snook is damaged in at-sea collision

SAN DIEGO (AP) - The nuclear submarine Snook was involved in a collision Friday with a sonar device being towed by the frigate Bagley, but a Navy spokeman said the mishap resulted in no nuclear contamination.

The collision took place 250 miles southwest of San Diego, the Navy said, and resulted in damage to the Snook's periscope and superstructure.

The Snook was ordered to return to base at San Diego, the Navy said. None of the 100 crew members aboard was believed injured.

Meanwhile, divers from the Bagley were inspecting her hull for any possible damage. She carries a crew of 250.

The Navy said the Bagley's tow, described only as a sonar device, was lost at sea.

Reprinted from Grapevine September 29, 1978

Arrival of submarine Snook boosts Shipyard's workload

Giving a boost to the waterfront workload, the nuclear-powered attack submarine SNOOK (SSN 592) has arrived for regular overhaul and battery renewal. She has become a familiar ship at Mare Island since her commissioning 17 years ago at Pascagoula, Miss.

Earlier this year SNOOK completed her tenth deployment to the Western Pacific and has steamed one-half million miles. More than 400,000 miles have been logged while submerged.

During the course of these deployments, the 592 was the first nuclear submarine to visit Korea and Western Australia, the second to visit Japan and the third to visit Kaohsiung, Republic of China.

The first SNOOK(SS 279) won seventy battle stars in eight war patrols between April 1943 and February 1945. She was lost in action April 1945.

The present SNOOK is commanded by CDR Robert C. Smith.

He entered nuclear power training immediately after receiving his commission through Annapolis in 1961 and has had continuous submarine service since.

He spent more than three years aboard the NAUTILUS (SSN 571) and has had four deterrent patrols as Navigation Officer (Gold Crew) for the DANIEL WEBSTER (SSBN 626).

During his assignment prior to joining SNOOK, Commander Smith was Executive Officer (Gold) of WOODROW WILSON (SSBN 624) during two patrols and a Poseidon conversion.

The commander has been awarded two Navy Commendation Medals, two Meritorious Unit Commendations and the Navy Expeditionary Medal.

Reprint source unknown July, 1980

Coming Home!

The USS SNOOK, commanded by Commander James R. Lynch, arrived last Friday afternoon at the New london Submarine Base to become the newest member of Submarine Squadron Two.

The Snook spent her first 19 years in the Pacific Fleet where she participated in ten Western Pacific deployments, fleet exercises and important individual operations. Her previous homeport was San Diego.

This 251 foot, 3500 ton ship has a crew of 11 officers and 102 enlisted men, who operate the ship's nuclear reactor, her six torpedo tubes and the vast array of equipment and machinery that make Snook a truly capable fighting ship and a valuable addition to Submarine Squadron Two.

Reprinted from Dolphin December 4, 1981

USS Snook holds retirement ceremony for RMCS Hathaway

Cmdr. J.R. Lynch, commanding officer USS Snook (SSN 592), presided over the retirement ceremony for Senior Chief Radioman Daryl L. Hathaway aboard USS Snook on November 13, 1981.

The retirement ceremony was conducted in the ship's wardroom. Present were Senior Chief Hathaway's wife Carol and his two children, Butch and Tim. Also in attendance were close friends Master Chief and Mrs. Blankenship, Senior Chief and Mrs. Terry, and Master Chief John Ewert.

Following the wardroom presentation, Senior Chief Hathaway was piped over the side, receiving full miltary honors from the chief petty officers of USS Snook.

Senior Chief Hathaway has served in submarines since September 1963. His sea duty assignments included tours aboard USS Sculpin (SSN 590), USS John Marshall (SSBN 611), USS Hawkbill (SSN 666), and USS Snook (SSN 592). Senior Chief Hathaway's shore assignments have included Service School Command, San Diego and Naval Schools Command, Norfolk, VA.

Senior Chief Hathaway and family are planning to live in Blaine, Minn.

Reprinted from Dolphin July 23, 1982

Capt. Lynch relieved aboard USS Snook

Captain James R. Lynch was relieved as Commanding Officer of the USS Snook (SSN 592) by Commander Curtis W. Olsen in the Change of Command ceremony last Wednesday.

Captain Lynch, a graduate of Purdue University, has served aboard the USS Shark (SSN 591), USS Casimir Pulaski (SSBN 633), USS William H. Bates (SSN 680), and the USS Gurnard (SSN 662). His other tours include the Staff of the Nuclear Power Training Unit, Idaho Falls, Staff of COMSUBRON TWO, Force Radiological Controls Officer for COMSUBLANT, and commanding officer of the Nuclear Power Training Unit, Windsor, Conn.

Cmdr. Olsen has served aboard the USS Pargo (SSN 650), USS Flying Fish (SSN 673), USS Trepang (SSN 674), USS Alexander Hamilton (SSBN 617) (Blue). His other duties have been U.S. Naval Academy as an instructor, Staff of Commander Submarine Squadron One.

Reprint source unknown October 1986

Attack Submarine Snook decommissioned in Shipyard ceremony

The nuclear-powered submarine USS Snook was decommissioned after 25 years of service on Wednesday [October 8, 1986] at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton.

Snook was built by the Ingalls Shipbuilding Corporation and commissioned in October 1961. Under the command of Cmdr. Howard Bucknell III, Snook arrived in San Diego in March 1962. In June 1962, it deployed as a unit of the Seventh Fleet, conducting the first extended deployment - six months - by a U.S. nuclear-powered submarine. Snook conducted a total of ten extended deployments to the Western Pacific between 1961 and 1978.

Snook's record of accomplishments as a member of the U.S. Pacific Fleet included numerous allied ports to nuclear-powered warship visits. Snook was the first nuclear-powered ship to visit Japan and the Republic of China.

It was awarded a Navy Unit commendation for operations conducted during its third extended deployment in 1965 with Cmdr. James D. Watkins commanding. After leaving Snook, Watkins went on to eventual service as the Navy's 22nd Chief of Naval Operations (CNO).

In July 1980, Snook passed through the Panama Canal and became a member of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. From 1980 to 1986, the ship conducted a total of six extended deployments to the Mediterranean Sea, South America and North Atlantic. The ship was awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation for operations conducted in 1984 with Cmdr. C.W. Olsen commanding. In May, 1986, Snook returned to the Pacific Fleet for deactivation at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.

During its 25-year lifetime, Snook has steamed approximately 675,000 miles, the equivalent of 27 times around the world. Having been awarded unit commendations as a member of both the Atlantic and Pacific fleets when it was four and 24 years old, USS Snook leaves behind a 25 year legacy of Peace Through Excellence.

Snook's 10th and last commanding officer was Cmdr. Eric L. Oser. The ship was named for the submarine lost with all hands during World War II in April 1945 while on its ninth war patrol.