History of the USS Plunger SSN-595

USS Plunger SSN-595: History, Patrols, Crews

Commissioning

The USS Plunger, (SSN-595 submarine, nuclear-powered) was the third member of the Permit-class of attack submarines. She was the third ship of the U.S. Navy, and third submarine, to carry the name. The first USS Plunger (A-1) was the very first submarine to join the U.S. Navy’s ranks.

The contract to build the Plunger was awarded to the Mare Island (Calif.) Naval Shipyard on March 23, 1959. Originally intended to be a guided-missile submarine, the Plunger’s design was changed to that of an attack submarine before her keel was laid on March 2, 1960. The Plunger was launched on Dec. 9, 1961, and was commissioned as part of the Pacific Fleet on Nov. 21, 1962, with Commander Williams M. Adams Jr. in command.

Underway

After a shakedown cruise, the Plunger arrived at its first home port, Pearl Harbor, in early January 1963.

A large part of the Plunger’s early years were dedicated to helping to develop new tactics for the navy’s newest class of attack submarine and the testing of new weapons systems. Among her responsibilities was being the testbed for the full operational evaluation of the new SUBROC anti-submarine missile.

After a major overhaul at Mare Island which lasted from 1971 to 1973, the Plunger rejoined the Pacific Fleet as a member of Submarine Squadron 3 operating out of San Diego. She would spend the rest of her career following the activities of the Soviet Navy in the Pacific and Arctic Oceans. She would, in time, become the most highly-decorated submarine to have its home port in San Diego, winning four Navy Unit Commendations, two meritorious Unit Commendations and six Battle “E” combat efficiency awards.

In 1969, before her transfer to San Diego, the Plunger received the Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy as the ship exhibiting the most greatest improvement in battle efficiency from one year to the next. In 1986, the Plunger also received the Marjorie Sterret Battleship Fund Award, given to the most combat-ready ship in the fleet. The Plunger is the only submarine to have won both awards.

Decommissioning

The Plunger was deactivated on Feb. 10, 1989 and decommissioned on Jan. 3, 1990. The submarine as stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on Feb. 2, 1990. She entered the Navy’s Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program at Bermerton, Wash., on Jan. 5, 1995 and was declared scrapped on March 8, 1996.

Characteristics of the USS Plunger
Displacement: 3700 tons surfaced, 4300 tons submerged
Length: 278 feet 5 inches
Beam: 31 feet 7 inches
Draft: 25 feet 2 inches
Propulsion: S5W reactor
Speed: 20+ knots
Armament: four 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes; SUBROC
Complement: 105 officers and men

Career:
Ordered: March 23, 1959
Laid down: March 2, 1960
Launched: Dec.9, 1961
Commissioned: Nov. 21, 1962
Decommissioned: Feb. 2, 1990
Fate: submarine recycling
Stricken: Feb. 2, 1990

Timeline:
March 1959: USS Plunger ordered
March 1960: Keel of USS Plunger laid
December 1961: USS Plunger launched
November 1962: USS Plunger commissioned
1969: USS Plunger receives Arleigh Burke Fleet Award
1973: USS Plunger transferred to San Diego
1986: USS Plunger wins Marjorie Sterret Battleship Fund Award
February 1989: USS Plunger deactivated
February 1990: USS Plunger decommissioned
March 1996: USS Plunger scrapped

Crewmembers of the USS Plunger:
An unofficial list of crew members that served on the USS Plunger 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.

Mark Scheibe (served 1980-82): “A look into the past.”
Douglas Holmes (served November 1981-February 1986): “I guess if you get three Battle E’s in a row you don’t get to many good sea stories.”
Mark Gallagher (served July 1982-July 1985): “Served in the ship’s office from July 1982-July 1985.”

Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Plunger_(SSN-595)
http://www.navysite.de/crew.php?action=ship&ship=SSN_595
http://www.goatlocker.org/plunger/

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