USS Lafayette SSBN 616: History, Patrols, Crews

USS Lafayette SSBN 616- The Beginning

The USS Lafayette, (SSBN-616) laid down her keel in January 1961 in Groton, Connecticut by the Electric Boat Company. The submarine was launched in May 1962.

The USS Lafayette was commissioned on April 23, 1963. The ship was staffed with two crews to man the ship alternately for maximum use. The crews named, the Blue crew and the Gold crew, were led by Commander P.J. Hannifin, in command of the Blue crew, and Commander James T. Strong, in command of the Gold crew.

The USS Lafayette underwent shakedown in the Caribbean. Shortly thereafter, the ship was taken to Charleston, South Carolina to load missiles. In June 1963, the submarine conducted ballistic missile maneuvers in Cape Canaveral. The ship continued to Groton, Connecticut in August 1963 and went through exercises with her two crews throughout the remainder of that year before joining the Polaris Fleet.

The USS Lafayette began her first deterrent patrol in January 1964. The submarine made 16 more deterrent patrols within the next four years out of Rota, Spain. The Lafayette’s 15th patrol was carried out in March 1967. This was an important milestone for the Navy because it was the 400th patrol for the Submarine Force’s Fleet Ballistic Missile Force. The Lafayette played a significant role in the country’s most effective weapon system.

USS Lafayette SSBN 616- Moving Along

In August 1967, the USS Lafayette went to Newport News for a 15-month overhaul. The ship underwent major modifications and received installation of an S3G nuclear reactor core. The overhaul concluded in December 1968 and was followed by A2 Polaris missile trials off of Cape Kennedy.

The USS Lafayette carried out several more patrols in the next few years. In September of 1971, the ship launched five A2 Polaris missiles. The submarine was commended for demonstrating her high level of readiness, effectiveness and dependability. The Gold crew was eventually awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation.

In 1972, the Lafayette underwent a weapons off-load procedure in preparation for an 18-month overhaul to enable the ship to employ new Poseidon missiles. The submarine remained there for the conversion through 1973. Following the overhaul, the Lafayette’s Blue crew conducted a G3 Poseidon missile launch successfully in post-shakedown. The ship was the first of her class to fire a Poseidon. The USS Lafayette continued numerous deterrent patrols for the next several years. In June of 1977, the submarine launched two more Poseidon missiles in a test to demonstrate the continued effectiveness of the weapon system.

In April 1983, the submarine celebrated the 20th anniversary of her commissioning in 1963. Later that year, both crews completed a shakedown operation, other certification and a Nuclear Weapons Acceptance Inspection. The following December, the Gold crew began post-overhaul maintenance and waited for deployment on the 52nd patrol. In 1984, the ship took part in operations with Submarine Squadron 14 in Holy Loch, Scotland.

The USS Lafayette would continue to conduct deterrent patrols throughout the 1980′s until her retirement in 1990.

USS Lafayette SSBN 616- The End of an Era

By September 1990, the USS Lafayette had completed her 76th and final patrol. Since the ship demonstrated continued capability and dependability, she was exercised with the Boston (SSN-703), an attack submarine, and eventually returned to Groton, Connecticut in December 1990. The submarine was prepared for a transfer to Bremerton, Washington to undergo inactivation.

In August 1991, the Lafayette was decommissioned and stricken from the Naval register.

On February 25, 1992, the USS Lafayette was disposed of through the Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program and ceased to exist.

Characteristics of the USS Lafayette

USS Lafeyette -
General characteristics
Type: Ballistic missile submarine
Displacement: 7,250 long tons (7,370 t) surfaced
8,250 long tons (8,380 t) submerged
Length: 425 ft (130 m)
Beam: 33 ft (10 m)
Draft: 31 ft 6 in (9.6 m)
Propulsion: 1 × S5W reactor
Speed: 20 knots (37 km/h) surfaced
25 knots (46 km/h) submerged
Complement: Two crews of 13 officers and 130 enlisted
Armament: • 4 × 21 in (530 mm) torpedo tubes for Mark 48 torpedoes
• 16 × vertical tubes for Polaris or Poseidon ballistic missiles

Historical Timeline of the USS Lafayette

The following are some of the USS Lafayette historical milestones during the life of the ship from 1958 through 1992:

• January 1961 – USS Lafayette keel laid down by the Electric Boat Company in Groton, CT
• May 1962 – USS Lafayette launched
• April 1963 – USS Lafayette commissioned
• June 1963 – USS Lafayette went to Charleston, SC to have missiles loaded following shakedown; underwent ballistic missile tests in Cape Canaveral, FL
• January 1964 – USS Lafayette went on its first patrol in the Atlantic; made 16 deterrent patrols out of Rota, Spain for the next four years; The ship won a special commendation from the Secretary of the Navy on her 15th patrol
• 1966 – USS Lafayette conducted patrols 10 through 13
• February 1967 – USS Lafayette completed 14th patrol
• March 1967 – USS Lafayette began 15th patrol with the Blue crew; was the 400th for the Submarine Force’s Fleet Ballistic Missile Force
• August 1967 – The USS Lafayette returned to Charleston, SC after its 16th patrol; continued to Newport News, VA for 15-month overhaul at Newport News Shipbuilding Company; modifications included installation of an S3G nuclear reactor core
• November 1968 – USS Lafayette went through sea trials and conducted a machinery inspection trial
• December 1968 – USS Lafayette 15-month overhaul concluded
• 1972 – USS Lafayette conducted three Polaris patrols successfully; conducted weapons-off-load in preparation for an 18-month overhaul to add capability to employ Poseidon missiles
• June 1977 – USS Lafayette launched two Poseidon missiles in test to prove continued effectiveness of Fleet Ballistic Missile weapon system
• April 1983 – The USS Lafayette celebrated its 20th anniversary of commission
• December 1983 – The USS Lafayette Gold crew carried out post-overhaul in Charleston, SC; the ship took part in operations with Submarine Squadron 14 in Holy Loch throughout 1984
• December 1990 – The USS Lafayette prepares for transfer to Bremerton, WA for inactivation
• August 1991 – The USS Lafayette was decommissioned stricken from Naval Vessel register
• February 1992 – The USS Lafayette disposed of in Ship and Submarine Recycling Program and ceased to exist

Crews of the USS Lafayette

An unofficial list of crew members that served on the USS Lafayette can be found on the unofficial navy website at: http://navysite.de. This list is compiled by former crewmembers that voluntarily register. Some quoted comments from former crewmembers are listed below; many more are available on the source website at the following web address: http://www.navysite.de/crew.php?action=ship&ship=ssbn_616.

Bartholomew Fitzgerald: (Served from January 1986 – May 1989) “Enjoyed serving with CDR Dodge and the officers and crew of the Gold Crew. And Walter Deany Downy Baumgardt.The Dali Lama and Sky Fitzgerald live on in a more boring civilian existence. Saw One Adam Brown a couple of years ago,with Porche.HI BB!!!”

Walter Baumgardt: (Served from April 1988 – Sept. 1991) “I was part of the decommissioning crew, and it was sad to see her cut apart. I remember my time serving on USS Lafayette fondly. Left the Navy shortly after.”

Philip Kinlaw: (Served from April 1989 – September 1991) “Decommissioned her in WA. Looking back, I had some really good times. It’s too bad that when you are there, you let the business of the Navy get in the way.”

Frank Phipps: (Served April 1962 – May 1967) “On Commissioning Crew. Great crews. Later made Warrant/LDO and return as AWEPS on the VON STEUBEN. Retired after 34 yrs as a Commander.”

Robert Armentrout: (Served April 1962 – September 1967) “Commissioning crew member / plank owner .Left the Navy to seek my fortune in civil life — still searching for it . missed the first reunion but will be there for the next.”

Hank Althaus: (Served April 1971 – October 1972) “2 patrols out of Rota, enjoyed Bob Hope, transit to Groton and Midshipmen rotation. Went to A2/C school in San Diego and served on West Coast for balance of service. Served with STSC (SS) Ed Bell, STS1(SS) Joe Dye, STS2 (SS) Blackwell. Great Times!”