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U.S.S. SUNFISH

(SSN-649)


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USS SUNFISH (SSN-649) - a Sturgeon-class attack submarine

In Commission 1969 to 1997

SSN-649 Deployments - Major Events

Add a SSN-649 Shellback Initiation Add a SSN-649 Deployment - Major Event
Month Year to Month Year Deployment / Event
MAR1941-JAN1964Panama Canal
JAN1965-Keel Date: 15 JAN 1965
at General Dynamics Quincy Shipbuilding Division
OCT1966-Launch Date: 14 OCT 1966
MAR1969-Commissioned: 15 MAR 1969
MAR1976-MAY1976North Atlantic
SEP1983-DEC1985North Atlantic
DEC1984-APR1985North Atlantic
JUN1991-JUL1992North Atlantic-Med-Indian Ocean
JAN1992-JUL1992Mediterranean
SEP1996- Shellback Initiation - 14 SEP 1996 - Pacific Ocean
MAR1997-Decommissioned: 31 MAR 1997

SSN-649 General Specifications

Class: Sturgeon-class attack submarine

Named for: The ocean sunfish (Mola mola)

Complement: 14 Officers and 95 Enlisted

Displacement: 4035 tons

Length: 289 feet

Beam: 32 feet

Flank Speed: Over 20 knots

Final Disposition: Scrapping via Ship and Submarine Recycling Program completed 31 October 1997



USS SUNFISH (SSN-649)



The second Sunfish (SSN-649) was laid down on 15 January 1965 by the General Dynamics Corp. Quincy Mass.; launched on 14 October 1966; sponsored by Mrs. Robert C. Byrd and commissioned on 15 March 1969 Comdr. Richard L. Thompson in command.


Sunfish spent the period from April to August undergoing shakedown and in various exercises such as torpedo firing sound trials control drills and casualty drills. A short dependents' cruise in late August was followed by post-shakedown availability at Groton Conn. The last two weeks of 1969 were devoted to a leave and recreation period for the crew. Early 1970 was spent in upkeep periods and several short cruises in preparation for an extended deployment. The submarine was deployed from 16 June to 26 August when she arrived at Charleston S.C. and again from 6 October to 1 December 1970.


Sunfish put to sea on 22 January 1971 to participate in a short fleet exercise but operational commitments were changed and she did not return to port until 9 March. The ship made a cruise to Port Everglades Fla. in April which was followed by a fleet exercise. The remainder of the year was spent participating in antisubmarine warfare exercises with destroyers and patrol aircraft.


Sunfish departed Charleston on 3 January 1972 for the Mediterranean and a tour of duty with the 6th Fleet. She returned to her home port on 21 May and entered a stand-down period that lasted until early October when she entered the Norfolk Naval Shipyard for her first major overhaul. The overhaul was completed in August 1973 and the submarine sailed to New London for refresher training. She touched at Charleston in early November and continued to the Caribbean for sound training and weapon systems tests.


Sunfish returned to Charleston on 9 December 1973 for a leave and upkeep period. She operated along the east coast from New London to Cape Kennedy until June 1974. On 25 June Sunfish stood out of Charleston to begin a period of deployment. As of January 1975 Sunfish was still deployed as a unit of the United States Atlantic Fleet.

[Note: The above USS SUNFISH (SSN-649) history may or may not contain text provided by crew members of the USS SUNFISH (SSN-649) or by other non-crew members and text from the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships]