History of the USS Drum SSN-677

Veterans & Mesothelioma > Asbestos on Navy Ships > Submarines of the United States Navy: (Post-World War II Era) > USS Drum

USS Drum SSN-677: History, Patrols, Crews

Commissioning

The USS Drum, (SSN-677 submarine, nuclear-powered) was a member of the Sturgeon class of nuclear fast attack submarines. She was the second U.S. Navy vessel, and second submarine, named after a species of fish, primarily found in the Atlantic Ocean, capable of making a drumming noise.

The contract to build the Drum was awarded to the Mare Island (Calif.) Naval Shipard on March 15, 1967; her keel was laid down on Aug. 20, 1968. She was launched on May 23, 1970. The Drum joined the ranks of the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet officially on April 15, 1972, when she was commissioned with Commander James L. Willis in command. She was given the motto, “Pride Runs Deep.”

Underway

After a shakedown cruise, the Drum arrived at her homeport of San Diego. In March 1973, the Drum started its first—and longest—Western Pacific deployment, a cruise that would last more than eight months. Her second Western Pacific deployment, started in late 1974, would lead to the Drum’s receiving its first Navy Unit Commendation.

In 1977, the Drum entered the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for an overhaul, which lasted until April 1978. A Western Pacific deployment from May to October 1979 resulted in a Meritorious Unit Commendation.

In 1984, the Drum took part in a multi-national exercise, known as RIMPAC ’84, off the coast of Hawaii. In 1985, the Drum returned to Bermerton for a second overhaul. In 1988, the Drum received a third Meritorious Unit Commendation for its outstanding work in “Independent Operations.” A second Navy Unit Commendation followed a year later. The Drum was awarded the Battle Efficiency “E” for Submarine Squadron Three in both 1990 and 1991.

The Drum spent most of her career shadowing members of the Soviet Navy, but in 1992 Russian submariners came much closer to her than had ever been anticipated. In August of that year, the Drum hosted the first tour of a U.S. nuclear submarine by senior Russian naval officers who were visiting San Diego.

Decommissioning

The Drum was decommissioned and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on Oct. 30, 1995. She entered the Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program at Bermerton, but has yet to be scrapped. The Mare Island Park Historic Foundation is attempting to raise money to rescue the Drum and return her to California. The fundraising process continues.

Characteristics of the USS Drum
Displacement: 3995 tons light, 4291 tons full, 296 tons dead
Length: 89 m (292 ft)
Beam: 9.7 m (32 ft)
Draft: 8.8 m (29 ft)
Propulsion: S5W reactor
Complement: 14 officers, 95 men
Armament: 4 × 21 in (533 mm) Vickers Torpedo Tubes capable of launching torpedoes, SubRoc, Harpoon and Tomahawk missiles, and mines.

Career:
Ordered: March 15, 1967
Laid down: Aug. 20, 1968
Launched: May 23, 1970
Commissioned: April 15, 1972
Decommissioned: Oct. 30, 1995

Timeline:
March 1967: Contract to build USS Drum awarded
August 1968: Keel of USS Drum laid
May 1970: USS Drum launched
April 1972: USS Drum commissioned
March 1973: USS Drum starts first and longest Western Pacific tour
1975: USS Drum receives first Navy Unit Citation
1990, 1991: USS Drum wins Battle “E” for Submarine Squadron Three
August 1992: USS Drum hosts Russian navy officers on first tour of American nuclear submarine

Crewmembers of the USS Drum:
An unofficial list of crew members that served on the USS Drum 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 Navysite.de.

Brett Guinan (served May – July 1984): “First boat before going to Tridents. Still have WESTPAC pictures of shellback.”
Matt Davis (served May 1985-November 1988): “Proud and fond memories of SSN 677. West-Pac and two northern runs.”

Sources:
http://www.ussdrum.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Drum_(SSN-677)
http://navysite.de/ssn/ssn677.htm

To receive a FREE Mesothelioma Web information packet** or to make a request, please fill out the following form :

**For a FREE information packet including treatments, clinical trials, and specialists, please complete the form above or call a Mesothelioma Web coordinator at 1-877-367-6376.

News

Resources

This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here