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From the Examiner: "A forty-four ton steel cylinder was lowered into position yesterday at Mare Island for the keel laying ceremony for the USS Sargo, the Navy's fifth atomic-powered sub, first built on the west coast."

Courtesy Michael Hacking

Courtesy Michael Hacking

RADM M. J. Lawrence, USN, Commandant of the Mare Island shipyard in Vallejo, pushes the button which started a crane moving a 40-ton prefabricated center section of the nation's newest atomic submarine, the USS SARGO (SSN 583), to its resting place on the ways as construction began today. It marks the first nuclear-powered construction job to take place on Pacific waters. The vessel will be the nation's fifth atomic-powered undersea craft.

A 40-ton prefabricated center section of the Nation's newest atomic submarine, USS SARGO (SSN 583), is gently laid on the ways at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo. It marks the first nuclear-powered construction job to take place on Pacific waters. At left is the USS GRAYBACK, nearly completed vessel of older design.

Courtesy Michael Hacking	Courtesy Darryl L. Baker
	Crowd at the keel laying of the USS SARGO (SSN 583) at Mare Island on 21 Feb 1956. [U.S. Navy Photo NY9 251786-2-56]
The keel for the second USS SARGO was officially laid on 21 February 1956 at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California and was the first nuclear submarine constructed by Mare Island Naval Shipyard.

Courtesy Darryl L. Baker	Courtesy USS Sargo (SSN 583) Association
Honors rendered during the keel laying of the USS SARGO (SSN 583) at Mare Island on 21 Feb 1956. CAPT E. A. Wright, Shipyard Production Officer, is on the platform and Honoary Keel Layers are (from left to right) Master Shipfitter Charles H. Butler and Rigger Master E. W. Martinez. [U.S. Navy Photo NY9 28181-2-56]	(FX5) VALLEJO, Calif., Feb. 21 -- KEEL LAID FOR ATOMIC SUBMARINE -- Rear Adm. Martin J. Lawrence, Shipyard Commander, center at microphone, addresses gathering at the keel laying ceremonies for the USS Sargo, Mare Island Naval Shipyard's first atomic submarine. A 40-ton hull section is moved into a cradle during ceremonies. (AP WIREPHOTO) (hd31630vo) 1956

Courtesy Darryl L. Baker	Courtesy Darryl L. Baker
RADM John R. Redman, USN, Commandant 12th Naval District delivers the main address during the keel laying of USS SARGO (SSN 583) at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 21 Feb 1956. The shipyard's voluntary civilian band is seen below the VIP stand. [U.S. Navy Photo NY9 28179-2-56]	RADM John R. Redman, Commandant 12th Naval District (right) is seen with RADM Martin J. Lawrence, Shipyard Commander authenticating the keel of Mare Island's first nuclear submarine USS SARGO (SSN 583) on 21 Feb 1956. [U.S. Navy Photo NY9 28184-2-56]

Courtesy Darryl L. Baker

Courtesy Darryl L. Baker

It took 3 Admrials and a Captain to plant the Sequoia Redwood tree to mark the keel laying of Mare Island's first nuclear submarine USS SARGO (SSN 583) on 21 Feb 1956. From left to right: RADM Martin J. Lawrence, (Shipyard Commander), RADM John R. Redman (Commandant 12th ND), RADM F. I. Entwistle (Mare Island Commander) and CAPT R. A. Davidson, (Public Works Officer, Mare Island). [U.S. Navy Photo NY9 28182-2-56]

This photo was taken 9 May 2003 on the now closed Mare Island Naval Shipyard of the Sequoia tree planted to mark the keel laying of the USS SARGO (SSN 583). The tree was used as the Shipyard Christmas Tree in the 1980s and 1990s. [U.S. Navy Photo]