Ship's History

USS SARGO (SSN 583)

1956

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Courtesy Darryl L. Baker Courtesy Darryl L. Baker

A hull section for USS Sargo (SSN 583) being fabricated in the structural shop at Mare Island on 19 Jan 1956. Photo caption: Assembled frame installed in shell plates on saddles.
[U.S. Navy Photo 27754-1-56] A hull section for USS Sargo (SSN 583) ready for shipping to the building ways at Mare Island on 13 Feb 1956.
[U.S. Navy Photo 28121-2-56]

Courtesy Darryl L. Baker Courtesy Darryl L. Baker

The first hull section of the USS Sargo is seen being moved from the Structural Shop on a double flatbed trailer on 14 Feb 1956.
[U.S. Navy Photo 28124-2-56] A shipfitter uses a portable grinder on the radius rod for sizing and beveling of frames on 13 Apr 1956.
[U.S. Navy Photo 28893-4-56]

KEEL LAYING CEREMONY

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]

NEW CONSTRUCTION

Courtesy Darryl L. Baker Courtesy Darryl L. Baker

Bow view of USS GRAYBACK (SSG 574) on the ways at Mare Island on 3 Apr 1956. Note that she is configured as an attack submarine at this date. USS SARGO (SSN 583) is under construction on the ways to the right.
[U.S. Navy Photo 30138-7-56] Stern view of USS GRAYBACK (SSG 574) on the ways at Mare Island on 3 Apr 1956. The USS SARGO (SSN 583) is under construction on the ways to the left.
[U.S. Navy Photo 30139-7-56]

Courtesy Darryl L. Baker Courtesy Darryl L. Baker

Shipyard welders working on a hull section for USS SARGO (SSN 583) at berth 15 at Mare Island on 14 May 1956.
[U.S. Navy Photo 29304-5-56] A hull section for USS SARGO (SSN 583) at berth 15 at Mare Island is being flipped from its horizontal position for transportation to building ways on 6 Jun 1956. The hull section is being lifted by YD-33 (boom just visible) while the dock crane D-2 (behind the hull section) will flip the section and then remove the handle cradle.
[U.S. Navy Photo 29647-5-56]

Courtesy Darryl L. Baker Courtesy Darryl L. Baker

Photo of winches and cable installation used to pull and lower hull section into place for USS SARGO (SSN 583) at Mare Island on 19 Jun 1956.
[U.S. Navy Photo 29802-6-56] Greasing the skids. Shop 72 workers are shown lubricating the steel slide at building ways in preparation for pulling section 3 up the ways during the building of USS SARGO (SSN 583). Photo taken 19 Jun 1956 at MINSY.
[U.S. Navy Photo 29803-6-56]

Courtesy Darryl L. Baker Courtesy Darryl L. Baker

Section 3 of the USS SARGO (SSN 583) is shown being moved up the building ways at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 19 Jun 1956.
[U.S. Navy Photo 29805-6-56] Workers in the shipfitter shop shown fabrication of various foundations for the engine room and propulsion components on 26 Jul 1956.
[U.S. Navy Photo 30351-7-56]

Courtesy Darryl L. Baker Courtesy Darryl L. Baker

Various hull sections for the USS SARGO (SSN 583) are shown on the building ways at Mare Island on 3 Oct 1956. View is looking towards the stern of the boat.
[U.S. Navy Photo 31449-10-56] Various hull sections for the USS SARGO (SSN 583) are shown on the building ways at Mare Island on 3 Oct 1956. View is looking towards the bow of the boat. USS Grayback (SSG 574) is alongside to the right.
[U.S. Navy Photo 31450-10-56]

Courtesy Darryl L. Baker	Courtesy Darryl L. Baker
A hull section for USS Sargo (SSN 583) being fabricated in the structural shop at Mare Island on 19 Jan 1956. Photo caption: Assembled frame installed in shell plates on saddles. [U.S. Navy Photo 27754-1-56]	A hull section for USS Sargo (SSN 583) ready for shipping to the building ways at Mare Island on 13 Feb 1956. [U.S. Navy Photo 28121-2-56]

Courtesy Darryl L. Baker	Courtesy Darryl L. Baker
The first hull section of the USS Sargo is seen being moved from the Structural Shop on a double flatbed trailer on 14 Feb 1956. [U.S. Navy Photo 28124-2-56]	A shipfitter uses a portable grinder on the radius rod for sizing and beveling of frames on 13 Apr 1956. [U.S. Navy Photo 28893-4-56]

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
Bow view of USS GRAYBACK (SSG 574) on the ways at Mare Island on 3 Apr 1956. Note that she is configured as an attack submarine at this date. USS SARGO (SSN 583) is under construction on the ways to the right. [U.S. Navy Photo 30138-7-56]	Stern view of USS GRAYBACK (SSG 574) on the ways at Mare Island on 3 Apr 1956. The USS SARGO (SSN 583) is under construction on the ways to the left. [U.S. Navy Photo 30139-7-56]

Courtesy Darryl L. Baker	Courtesy Darryl L. Baker
Shipyard welders working on a hull section for USS SARGO (SSN 583) at berth 15 at Mare Island on 14 May 1956. [U.S. Navy Photo 29304-5-56]	A hull section for USS SARGO (SSN 583) at berth 15 at Mare Island is being flipped from its horizontal position for transportation to building ways on 6 Jun 1956. The hull section is being lifted by YD-33 (boom just visible) while the dock crane D-2 (behind the hull section) will flip the section and then remove the handle cradle. [U.S. Navy Photo 29647-5-56]

Courtesy Darryl L. Baker	Courtesy Darryl L. Baker
Photo of winches and cable installation used to pull and lower hull section into place for USS SARGO (SSN 583) at Mare Island on 19 Jun 1956. [U.S. Navy Photo 29802-6-56]	Greasing the skids. Shop 72 workers are shown lubricating the steel slide at building ways in preparation for pulling section 3 up the ways during the building of USS SARGO (SSN 583). Photo taken 19 Jun 1956 at MINSY. [U.S. Navy Photo 29803-6-56]

Courtesy Darryl L. Baker	Courtesy Darryl L. Baker
Section 3 of the USS SARGO (SSN 583) is shown being moved up the building ways at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 19 Jun 1956. [U.S. Navy Photo 29805-6-56]	Workers in the shipfitter shop shown fabrication of various foundations for the engine room and propulsion components on 26 Jul 1956. [U.S. Navy Photo 30351-7-56]

Courtesy Darryl L. Baker		Courtesy Darryl L. Baker
Various hull sections for the USS SARGO (SSN 583) are shown on the building ways at Mare Island on 3 Oct 1956. View is looking towards the stern of the boat. [U.S. Navy Photo 31449-10-56]		Various hull sections for the USS SARGO (SSN 583) are shown on the building ways at Mare Island on 3 Oct 1956. View is looking towards the bow of the boat. USS Grayback (SSG 574) is alongside to the right. [U.S. Navy Photo 31450-10-56]