Their patrols could last two months or more at a stretch and required them to remain submerged for hours and even days-which pales in comparison to the patrols of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, but was a strain for the crew of a much smaller diesel boat.
#Submarine tour nyc full#
On this mission, which lasted from 12 March to, Growler departed Hawaii with a full store of Regulus sea-to-surface missiles, armed with nuclear warheads, and patrolled under a strict cloak of secrecy. At Pearl Harbor the guided missile sub participated in a variety of battle and torpedo exercises as well as missile practice before beginning her first Regulus Deterrent Mission. Growler then proceeded to the Pacific via Norfolk, Virginia, Key West, Florida, and the Panama Canal, putting in at Pearl Harbor on 7 September to serve as flagship of Submarine Division 12. Growler returned to Portsmouth 19 April via Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and New London, Connecticut. After a brief run back to Portsmouth, she returned to the Caribbean Sea in March to train in launching Regulus I and Regulus II nuclear cruise missiles, assisted by USS Runner, which was one of several submarines with Regulus guidance equipment.
Grayback (SSG-574) with Regulus 2 missile.Īfter training exercises off the East Coast Growler sailed south for her shakedown cruise, arriving at the Roosevelt Roads Naval Station, Puerto Rico, on 19 February 1959. Growler commissioned at Portsmouth on 30 August 1958 with Lieutenant Commander Charles Priest, Jr., in command. She was launched on 5 April 1958 sponsored by Mrs.
Growler was laid down on 15 February 1955 by the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard of Kittery, Maine. Additionally, special forces missions were deployed from its torpedo tubes and nuclear hangar.Ĭonstruction and training Aft view of USS Growler (SSG-577) Her mission was to provide nuclear deterrent capability off the Pacific coast of the Soviet Union during peak years of the Cold War, from 1958 to 1964. What makes Growler and her sister unusual was her nuclear armament, deployed on a conventional diesel-electric submarine. Navy veered its nuclear deterrence efforts into submarine launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs)-the Polaris missile program. Since Regulus I and Regulus II programs had problems, Growler and Grayback were the only two submarines built in this class as instead, the U.S. Built to deliver the Regulus I cruise missile, Growler was the second and final submarine of the Grayback class, fourth ship of the United States Navy to be named after the growler.
#Submarine tour nyc series#
Navy to field a cruise missile submarine that would provide a nuclear deterrent using its second series of cruise missiles. USS Growler (SSG-577) was an early attempt by the U.S. 16 x torpedoes (12 bow, 4 stern) Stern torpedoes anti-submarine only.6 × 21 inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes (4 bow, 2 stern).2 × Regulus missile hangars (4 x Regulus I or 2 x Regulus II missiles).
General characteristics USS Growler SSG-577Ģ,110 tons light, 3,550 tons full, 1,440 tons deadĩ6.69 m (317' 3" ft) overall, 96.3 m (316 ft) waterlineĨ.2 m (27 ft) extreme, 7.9 m (26 ft) waterlineģ Fairbanks-Morse Diesel engines, 2 Elliott electric motorsġ7 kn (20 mph 31 km/h) surfaced, 12 kn (14 mph 22 km/h) submergedĩ officers, 11 chief petty officers, 68 enlisted men
Museum ship at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum Regulus I missile aboard USS Growler at Pier 86 in New York, its museum ship home.
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