Click on the pictures to enlarge!

OUTFITTING

Following the highly successful launching in October of 1957 the shipyard and crew of USS SARGO (SSN 583) completed the construction and outfitting of the ship readying her for her Initial Sea Trials, in August of 1958.

Courtesy Darryl Baker	Courtesy Darryl Baker
Bow view of the USS SARGO (SSN 583) is shown being outfitted at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 6 Jan 1958. [U.S. Navy Photo NY9 37790-1-58]	The USS SARGO (SSN 583) is seen in Dry Dock #1 at Mare Island Naval Shipyard 19 Mar 1958. [U.S. Navy Photo NY9 38544-3-58]

SEA TRIALS

Courtesy Darryl Baker	Courtesy Darryl Baker
Early morning view of the USS SARGO (SSN 583) preparing to get underway for sea trials on 3 Aug 1958 at Mare Island. YTL-592 is alongside. [U.S. Navy Photo NY9 40450-8-58]	Senior trials members aboard the USS SARGO (SSN 583) on 3 Aug 1958. Left to Right: I.H. Whitthorne, Senior Yard Manager; RADM Hyman G. Rickover; and RADM Edward J. Fahy, Shipyard Commander. [U.S. Navy Photo NY9 40466-8-58]

Courtesy Darryl Baker

Naval pioneers in the field of atomic propulsion joined the Sargo skipper Comdr. Daniel P. Brooks, USN, right, and his crew for the successful maiden voyage Sunday of the submarine under atomic power. The trio included Rear Adm. Hyman G. Rickover, USN, third from the left, often termed the "father of the Nuclear Navy." With him are Eugene P. Wilkinson, USN, original skipper of Nautilus, first nuclear sub ever built, and Comdr. Edward E. Kintner, USN, left, nuclear powered superintendent at Mare Island. [U.S. Navy Photo NY8 40449-8-58]

Courtesy Darryl Baker	Courtesy Darryl Baker
The USS SARGO (SSN 583) is shown departing Mare Island for her first sea trials on 3 Aug 1958. [U.S. Navy Photo NY9 40452-8-58]	The USS SARGO (SSN 583) is shown departing Mare Island for her first sea trials on 3 Aug 1958. [U.S. Navy Photo NY9 40453-8-58]

Courtesy Michael Hacking

Courtesy Michael Hacking

The USS SARGO (SSN 583) is shown returning to Mare Island from her first sea trials on 05 Aug 1958.

8/5/58 - SAN FRANCISCO: The nuclear-propelled submarine Sargo, 1st A-sub to be built in Pacific waters, cruises thru bay with San Francisico skyline in background enroute to its base at Mare Island, Calif. 8/5 She returned after 3 days trials at sea under nuclear power. It is the4th nuclear-powered sub in the world to become operational. Its predecessors are, Nautilus, Seawolf, & Skate. UPI TELEPHOTO.-tf-

Courtesy Scott Koen	Courtesy Scott Koen
5 August 1958, Sargo's (SSN-583) is shown returning from her first set of sea trials.	Sargo's (SSN-583) return from a successful Sea Trials.

The return of the USS SARGO (SSN 583) following her intial sea trials was covered by the local newspaper:

Courtesy Vallejo Times Herald

Courtesy Vallejo Times Herald

FIRST PHOTO - SARGO UNDERGOES SEA TRIALS  "The Mare Island-built Sargo, first nuclear-powered sub to be constructed on the West Coast and the world's fourth A-submarine, is shown returning to the shipyard yesterday after initial sea trials, described as "highly successful," were concluded. The Sargo trials began Sunday. Members of her crew line the deck as the boat returns to the Mare Island waterfront."

ABOARD FOR TRIUMPHAL HOMECOMING  "Top Navy nuclear power experts, Mare Island department heads and key civilians line the deck of the submarine Sargo as the atomic-powered sub returned to the shipyard yesterday afternoon, following the two-and-one-half days of rigorous, successful sea trials. From the left are G. R. Johnstone, Mare Island chief pilot; and unidentified sail; Capt. Lowell T. Stone, USN, Commander, Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet Administration, Mare Island; Irvin Whitthorne, Master of Shop 56 and president of the Mare Island Masters and Foremans Association; Rear Adm. H. G. Rickover, USN, assistant chief of the Bureau of Ships for nuclear propulsion; Capt. E. J. Fahy, USN, Mare Island Production Officer; Alfred M. Garland, head of nuclear quality control branch, Mare Island; Carl S. Knudsen, head nuclear engineer, nuclear power division; Capt. Ralph A. Smith, USN, repair and shipbuilding superintendent, and Leroy Ingles, Sargo senior petty officer."

And the newspaper story that followed:

SARGO TRIALS HELD SUCCESS "'It looks like Mare Island has built another real good sub.' "Those were the words of Comdr. Daniel P. Brooks, USN, skipper of the submarine Sargo, upon his return to Mare Island yesterday from the first sea trials of the West Coast's first nuclear-powered sub. "The trials, which began early Sunday and lasted until yesterday afternoon, must have been fabulously successful, even beyond the hopes of the officers and civilians who led the Sargo project, and of Rear Adm. Hyman Rickover, USN, famed pioneer of naval nuclear power who was on board for the tests. “For, although the only official word was Brooks brief wire to Mare Island: ‘Trials very successful,’ he had this to say last night: ’We really put her through her paces and we didn’t find a single bug.’ “A performance of that kind is nothing short of amazing, as any Navy skipper will agree, for a ship of any type making her maiden sea trial. “There are a thousand things that can go wrong, from malfunction of parts to leaks in the bilges, but the youthful Sargo skipper maintained the rigorous trials turned up no defect even remotely worthy of mention. “’The ship worked so well, we hated to go to bed at night,’ he laughed. “Aside from his ringing praise of the quality of work turned out by Mare Islanders in their first assignment of building a nuclear-powered submersible, Commander Brooks had some very kind words for his crew. ‘They really performed like old pros,’ he declared. ‘I’d have to rank their response to this challenge right alongside the fine job done by Mare Island.’ “For the record, Commander Brooks reported the Sargo made five dives during the 60-hour test period in which it ranged over a designated area of the Pacific west of the Farallon Islands. “’We were submerged a total of 34 hours and 57 minutes,’ Brooks said, recalling the figures from the boat’s log. The Sargo remained submerged all night Sunday, then conducted other test maneuvers Monday and yesterday. “Admiral Rickover, whose official title is assistant chief of the Bureau of Ships for Nuclear Power, was reported by Commander Brooks to have expressed himself as ‘extremely pleased’ both with the performance of Mare Island workmen in building the Sargo, and with the crew. The crew has been familiarizing itself with the Sargo’s propulsion plant, reactor and other features of its operation since last September. They have worked aboard the ship almost daily since it was launched on October 10. “Many of the Sargo hands are veterans of service in the Nautilus, first nuclear sub to be built for the fleet, and some have had duty in the Seawolf, as well. “So successful was the initial test, Commander Brooks said, that probably only one more will be necessary before the Sargo is finally commissioned and turned over to the Pacific Fleet as that unit’s first A-sub. The commissioning ceremony, incidentally, tentatively planned for early October. “’But, sometime between now and the, we’ll go to sea in order to prove out a few more things that need to be tested,’ Brooks said, without elaborating on their nature. “’But right now, we’re all too tired to think about the next trial, even though we’re mighty happy with our boat,’ Commander Brooks concluded.

Courtesy Tom Hansen	Courtesy Tom Hansen
Aerial view of USS SARGO (SSN 583), broadside. Photo taken 12 Aug 1958.	Aerial view of USS SARGO (SSN 583), 135-deg off centerline. Photo taken 12 Aug 1958.

Courtesy Darryl Baker	Courtesy Michael Hacking
USS SARGO (SSN 583) underway in San Pablo Bay off of Mare Island during the ship's follow-on trials, 13 Sep 1958. [U.S. Navy Photo NY9 41103-9-58]	Aerial view of USS SARGO (SSN 583) off of Mare Island on 13 Sep 1958.

Courtesy Michael Hacking	Courtesy Tom Hansen
Stern view of USS SARGO (SSN 583). Photo taken September 1958.	View of USS SARGO (SSN 583) from bridge looking forward. Photo taken on 06 Oct 1958.

Courtesy Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum via Darryl Baker

LT Whitney Hansen sights USS SARGO's (SSN 583) submerged scope several days before her commissioning in October 1958. [U.S. Navy Photo]

COMMISSIONING

At the moment the commissioning pennant is broken, a ship becomes the responsibility of the Commanding Officer, who, together with the ship’s officers and men, has the duty of making her ready for any service required by our nation, whether at peace or at war. The commissioning pennant has for centuries been the symbol of a man-o-war. It is believed to date from the 17th century, when the Dutch were at war with the English. Dutch Admiral Maarten Harpertzoon Tromp hoisted a broom at the masthead to symbolize his intention to sweep the English from the sea. This gesture was answered by British Admiral William Blake, who hoisted a horsewhip indicating his intention to chastise the Dutch. The victorious Brittish thus set the precedent for a long, narrow commissioning pennant to symbolize the original horsewhip as the distinctive symbol of a ship of war. The modern U.S. Navy commissioning pennant is blue at the hoist with a union of seven white stars and a horizontal red and white stripe at the fly. The original design had 13 rather than 7 stars, but the number was reduced as the length of the pennant was shortened over the years. The ceremonies for commissioning and decommissioning a U. S. Navy warship call for the hoisting of the ensign, jack, and commission pennant as the first act after the new captain has read the commissioning order, and as the final act before the last captain declares the ship decommissioned. The commissioning of the USS SARGO took place at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California on 01 Oct 1958. Reading from the ship’s Commissioning Program (provided courtesy Frank Munroe) the ceremony and the ship were described as follows:

“The U. S. S. SARGO (SS(N) 583) is being commissioned today as the newest in the Navy’s growing fleet of nuclear powered submarines. SARGO is the first nuclear powered submarine to be built on the West Coast. Her keel was laid on 21 February 1956 and she was launched on 10 October 1957. She is 267 feet long, displaces 2350 tons and can steam around the world without refueling. She carries a crew of more than 80 officers and men. SARGO is an attack type submarine and is equipped with the newest torpedoes and the most advanced electronic and fire control equipment. “The United States and the free world today face a formidable threat from a large number of Soviet submarines, many of which are capable of launching missiles with nuclear warheads. Defense against this threat in great part will be dependent upon an adequate number of United States nuclear-powered attack submarines, coupled with the deterrent effect of adequate numbers missile carrying nuclear submarines."

Courtesy Darryl Baker

Courtesy Darryl Baker

The USS SARGO (SSN 583) commissioning ceremony at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 01 Oct 1958. [U.S. Navy Photo NY9 41279-10-58]

(Left to Right) RADM George L. Russell, 12th Naval District - Commissioning Officer; VADM Maurice E. Curts, Commander Western Sea Frontier - Speaker; CDR Daniel P. Brooks, Commanding Officer USS Sargo; Mrs. Frank T. Watkins - Sponsor; RADM Frank T. Watkins, 13 Naval District; RADM E. E. Yeomans, Commander Navy Post Graduate School; RADM E. W. Grenfell, Commander, Submarine Force Pacific Fleet; CAPT Leo G. May, Acting Shipyard Commander; CDR H. W. Buckingham, Chaplain; and LCDR A. F. Mendosa, Chaplain. [U.S. Navy Photo NY9 41268-10-58]

Courtesy Michael Hacking	Courtesy Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum via Darryl Baker
SXP-100104-10/2/58-VALLEJO, CALIF: Crewmembers stand at attention as friends and relatives watch from dock during commissioning ceremony of the USS Sargo at Mare Island Shipyard here 10/1. The Sargo is the first nuclear-powered submarine to be built in Pacific waters. It is the first of Mare Island's current building program of 5 nuclear-powered submarines.	The USS SARGO (SSN 583) commissioning ceremony on 01 Oct 1958. [U.S. Navy Photo NY9 41270-10-58]

One of the photos released to the press is shown below:

Courtesy USS SARGO (SSN 583) Association

(VO-1) VALLEJO, Calif., Oct. 1 -- SARGO COMMISSIONING -- This was the scene at Mare Island Naval Shipyard this afternoon as the SSN-583, the USS Sargo was put into commission. The Sargo is the first nuclear submarine built on the West Coast. [APWirephoto (gs41630gs) 1958]

Courtesy Robert Douglass

Vice-Adm. Maurice E. Curts, USN, commander of the Western Sea Frontier and the Pacific Reserve Fleet, stands at the lectern on deck of the submarine Sargo as he delivers the commissioning address for the sub at Mare Island Naval Shipyard. To the rear of Admiral Curts is Rear Adm. George L. Russell, USN commandant of the 12th Naval District, commissioning officer. Partially obscured are Mrs. Frank T. Watkins, Sargo sponsor, and Rear Admiral Watkins. Others, from left, are Rear Adm. Elmer E. Yoemans, USN; Rear Adm. E. W. (Joe) Frenfell, USN; Capt. Leo G. May, USN; Comdr. H. W. Buckingham, (ChC), USN, and Lieut. Comdr. A. F. Mendosa, (ChC), USN -- Times Herald Photo.

The Vallejo Times-Herald newspaper story which accompanied the photo above:

LARGEST GATHERING SINCE THE WAR SEES SARGO JOIN FLEET The Pacific Coast’s first nuclear-powered submarine – USS Sargo – formally joined the fleet yesterday afternoon at Mare Island Naval Shipyard amid sun-drenched ceremonies attended by about 700, largest gathering at a Mare Island commissioning since World War II days. The ship was turned over to Comdr. Daniel P. Brooks, USN, named more than a year ago as her prospective commander. Commissioning of the Sargo yesterday culminated four years of preparation, planning, research, design and the actual building of the nuclear under-sea craft. The ceremonies, in a sense, marked Mare Island’s graduation into the ranks of the nuclear-ship building yards. HER COST, $48 million makes the Sargo the most expensive of the nearly 500 ships delivered to the fleet by Mare Island in the shipyard’s 104-year history, but her commissioning speaker, Vice Adm. Maurice E. Curts, USN, commander of the Western Sea Frontier and Pacific Reserve Fleet, declared: "She will show a fine net return, whether we are at war or at peace." Admiral Curts added, however, as he addressed the audience from the crowded deck of the Sargo: "To achieve the maximum return will demand imagination and judgment," and directing his remarks to the officers and crew: "You and your men are the pioneers of America’s new Navy, and I know that you are inspired by Commander William K. Anderson and the Nautilus, and Commander Calvert, skipper of the Skate, sister ship of the Sargo." The speaker also paid tribute to Mare Island workmen, noting that "today is truly an historic occasion, because, up to now at least, it could happen only once in a lifetime. It happened when you built sailing ships. It happened again when you built the first coal-burning ship, and again when you built the first oil-burning ship. "AND NOW," he said, "you have built a nuclear-powered submarine. It would be difficult to imagine what the next power transition will be, but when it comes, I am confident your descendents in Mare Island Shipyard will be building that, too." Admiral Curts went on to praise the other principal contributors to the building of the Sargo - the Bureau of Ships, headed by Rear Adm. Albert G. Mumms, USN, a former Mare Island Naval Shipyard commander, which was responsible for design; the Bureau of Ordinance for the weapons system, and to the Reactor Division of the Atomic Energy Commission, headed by Rear Adm. Hyman G. Rickover, USN. The Sargo is probably the most nearly completed ship Mare Island has ever commissioned, already having logged more than 1,500 miles in sea trials. These recent and outstandingly successful trials were noted by Admiral Curts as he "borrowed a page" from the report on them from the absent shipyard commander Rear Adm. Martin J. Lawrence, USN. "ADMIRAL, Lawrence said on her first trip to sea, 'we were able to run up to full power and keep her there for several hours. We were able to bank her, turn her, back her down full, and practically stand her on her head, and she performed like a thoroughbred'," the speaker quoted from the report. Then he said, " I don't know why it should be necessary to stand a submarine on her head, but the Sargo apparently is capable of it." To Commander Brooks and the officers and crew of the Sargo, Admiral Curts said as he concluded his address: "I congratulate you. I wish you well. I wish you smooth sailing. And I wish you peaceful sailing!" Since the Sargo already has been to sea, she was flying the American flag at her commissioning yesterday and only the commissioning pennant was raised. THE SUBMARINE'S imminent availability as a member of the Pacific Submarine Force was noted with relish by the force commander, Rear Adm. Elton W. (Joe) Grenfell, USN. "The Pacific Submarine Force and the whole Pacific Fleet feel this is a most magnificent day for them, for we are anxiously awaiting the Sargo," Admiral Grenfell said. "We have been waiting to try out new tactics using the Sargo's high speed and endurance. We want to use her with conventional submarines to see if or how well, the complement each other. We want to use her as a target in anti-submarine warfare; in fact, much of Sargo's time will be devoted to that important task," he added. THE FORCE commander promised the sub's crew a busy time in the months ahead, forecasting tours of duty with the Seventh Fleet in the far East and visits to the SEATO nations. Terming the ship a "magnificent masterpiece" of Mare Island's, Admiral Grenfell declared himself as certain the Sargo crew would make her "the outstanding sub in the Force." He then read a message of congratulations for Adm. Herbert G. Hopwood, USN, commander-in-chief of the Pacific Fleet. Admiral Grenfell, who was introduced by Capt. Lowell T. Stone, USN, commander of Mare Island Submarine Administration, then introduced Rear Adm. Elmer E. Yeomans, USN, now superintendent of the Naval Post-Graduate School in Monterey, but who was the first skipper of the original Sargo. ADMIRAL YEOMANS told Commander Brooks that "this fine old shipyard has given you a better ship than we had, but we were mighty proud of the first Sargo that day about 20 years ago when we commissioned her. I offer you every good wish," he concluded. The principle speaker, Admiral Curts, was introduced by Rear Adm. George L. Russell, USN, commandant of the 12th Naval District, who praised the vice-admiral as "an officer who's been a natural for every assignment handed him since he's been in the Navy." The ship was turned over to Admiral Russell for commissioning by Capt. Leo G. May, USN, acting as shipyard commander in Admiral Lawrence's absence in Washington, D.C. THE DISTRICT commandant read the commissioning orders then directed Commander Brooks to place the ship in commission. This order was carried out, and the 12th District Band broke into its rendition of the national anthem. At its conclusion, Commander Brooks introduced Mrs. Frank Watkins, sponsor of the Sargo at the ship's launching last Oct. 10. Mrs. Watkins, wife of the commandant of the 13th Naval District, presented the ship with a guest book. The invocation was offered by Lieut. Comdr. A. F. Mendosa, (ChC), USN, and the benediction by Comdr. H. W. Buckingham, (ChC), USN senior shipyard chaplain. A RECEPTION, attended by about 200 guests, followed at the Commissioned Officers Mess. The 2,190-ton Sargo is the fifth nuclear-powered submarine to be placed in commission. She is 267 feet long and has a 25-foot beam. Most of the Sargo officers and crew have been at Mare Island since the ship was launched almost a year ago, arriving early to be indoctrinated in the operation of the boat. On Monday, the Sargo will depart Mare Island for Pearl Harbor, where she will join the Pacific Submarine Force. Her departure will leave Mare Island's nuclear sub building program at four ships. They include the missile-firing Halibut, due for launching in early 1959; the SSGN-600, Polaris missile submarine; the Scamp and the Permit.

Courtesy Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum via Darryl Baker	Courtesy Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum via Darryl Baker
The USS SARGO's (SSN 583) Commanding Officer with his family before the submarine sail in the background after the submarine's commissioning. Left to Right: Mrs. Mary Ellen Brooks, Margaret Brooks, Virginia Brooks, John Brooks and CDR Daniel P. Brooks. [U.S. Navy Photo NY9 41273-10-58]	CDR Daniel P. Brooks stands aft of the USS SARGO's (SSN 583) sail in the morning of the submarine's commissioning at Mare Island on 01 Oct 1958. [U.S. Navy Photo NY9 41275A-10-58]

Courtesy Robert Douglass

The family of Comdr. Daniel P. Brooks, USN, skipper of the nuclear submarine Sargo, admire the commissioning pennant hoisted at yesterday's commissioning rites for the boat. Mrs. Mary Ellen Brooks keeps a firm grasp on Margaret, while John and Virginia cling to the safety line as they gaze aloft -- Vallejo Time-Herald Photo

Courtesy Tom Hansen

The Commissioning Plaque. Photo taken in October 1958.

Follow this link to the Commissioning Crew

The following photos of shipmates from the commissioning crew were provided by Ellie Goode:

Earl L. Gayle MMC(SS)	Floyd L. Laughrun CS1(SS)	ENS Herbert E. Menzel, Jr.	LeRoy Ingles TMC(SS) - COB
	Phillip S. Thompson EN1(SS)	William J. Andrew EN2(SS)

Courtesy Robert Douglass

WIVES OF OFFICERS from the U.S.S. Sargo acted as hostesses for the Thursday Luncheon of the Submarine Wives Club at the Commissioned Officers Mess. Above seated is Mrs. Paul D. Tomb. From left to right are Mrs. Stanley Anderson, Mrs. Robert Douglass, and Mrs. Edward Dietrich. Standing are Mrs. Daniel Brooks, wife of the commanding officer of the Sargo and Mrs. John Shulte. -- Vallejo Time-Herald Photo

MONTHLY LUNCHEON Wifes of USS Sargo Officers Hostesses At Party At MI On Thursday the wives of Submarine Officers of Submarine Administration, Mare Island Group and submarines present at Mare Island held their monthly luncheon at the Commissioned Officers Mess. Wives of the officers of the USS Sargo acted as hostesses. Gathering for the cocktail hour before the luncheon were Mrs. J. S. Smith, Mrs. W. F. Kopaka, Mrs. Kenneth Riley, Mrs. Charles Wright, Mrs. D. M. Wells, Mrs. M. C. Hansen, Mrs. W. J. McCreevey, Mrs. Lowell T. Stone, Mrs. Hugh Nott, Mrs. Joseph Donohue, Mrs. D. Henderson, Mrs. Paul Fossum. Mrs. Robert Owens, Mrs. Wm. Cannon, Mrs. Samuel Ellis, Mrs. Daniel Brooks, Mrs. L. Guille, Mrs. Robert Hay, Mrs. S. J. Anderson, Mrs. Paul Tomb, Mrs. R. M Douglass, Mrs. T. Carter, Mrs. M. Burnett, Mrs. Roderick MacLean, Mrs. W. A. Bowes, Mrs. J. R. Schulte, Mrs. E. O. Dietrich, Mrs. Philip Ruth, and Mrs. John McConeghy.

Courtesy Robert Douglass

NUCLEAR-POWERED SARGO LEAVES SHIPYARD With Comdr. Daniel P. Brooks, USN (arrow), standing at the top of the sail, the atomic submarine Sargo, first nuclear sub ever built at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, departed this morning for Hawaii. The boat is due there next Tuesday to join the Pacific Submarine Force. Irwin H. Whitthorne, master of Shop 56, and Comdr. E. E. Kintner, USN, shipyard nuclear power superintendent, had the honor of casting off the bow lines -- Vallejo News Chronicle Photo (08 Oct 1958)

Courtesy Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum via Darryl Baker	Courtesy Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum via Darryl Baker
The USS SARGO (SSN 583) departs Mare Island on 07 Oct 1958. The arrow points to Sargo's Commanding Officer CDR Daniel P. Brooks. Mr. Irv Witthorne (Master Pipefitter) and CDR E. E. Kintner (Nuclear Superintendent) cast off the last line. [U.S. Navy Photo NY9 40469-10-58]	Chief D.A. Campbell checks the status of USS SARGO's (SSN 583) "Christmas Tree" in October 1958. [U.S. Navy Photo NY9 41275C-10-58]

The USS SARGO (SSN583) conducted refresher training during a transit to Hawaii, arriving at Pearl Harbor on 16 Oct 1958.

Courtesy Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum via Darryl Baker

The USS SARGO (SSN 583) arrives at Pearl Harbor on 16 Oct 1958. USNS Valentine (AF-47) is in the background. [U.S. Navy Photo NY9 40469-10-58]

During the balance of October 1958 the USS SARGO (SSN 583) conducted refresher training. While underway she fired four warshot MK-14-5 torpedoes, sinking the damaged USS CHITTENDEN COUNTY (LST 561).

This picture of LST 651 was taken during the summer of 1955 while on a trip to the Arctic.

Leo Miller, MMC(SS) aboard for the exercise, provided the following six periscope shots of the torpedo firing and the sinking of the CHITTENDEN COUNTY (LST 561) on 21 Oct 1958:

Follow this link to the 15 May 1959 edition of the Mare Island Grape Vine

Courtesy Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum via Darryl Baker

Periscope photos of the USS SARGO (SSN 583) sinking the ex-Chittenden (LST 561) on 21 Oct 1958. [U.S. Navy Photo]

Following the successful torpedo testing off of the coast of Oahu, Hawaii the USS SARGO (SSN 583) deployed to Puget Sound, Washington for extensive sound trials at Carr Inlet, followed by torpedo tube acceptance trials at Dabob Bay. The USS SARGO (SSN 583) was the first submarine to work the station at Dabob Bay in tracking the underwater course of the newly developed acoustic torpedoes and their characteristic runs.

Courtesy Robert Douglass

THE SUBMARINE SARGO, commissioned only last fall, arrived at the Bangor Naval Ammunition Depot on Hood Canal to prepare for torpedo tests at Dabob Bay. The vessel had traveled submerged all the way from California. -- Seattle Times Photo

The following article from a local newspaper reported the arrival of the USS SARGO:

ATOMIC SUB SARGO ARRIVES A Puget Sound mist greeeted the crew of the nuclear-powered submarine USS Sargo as shee moored along the wharf at Bangor Naval Ammunition Depot late yesterday afternoon. Comdr. Daniel P. Brooks, skipper of the fleet's newest sub can be seen atop the conning tower near the radio and periscopes. The Sargo entered Puget Sound submerged using her radar and periscopes for navigation.

Following the successful sound trials at Puget Sound the USS SARGO finished 1958 in an upkeep and repair period at Mare Island Naval Shipyard."

Courtesy Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum via Darryl Baker	Courtesy Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum via Darryl Baker
USS SARGO's (SSN 583) returns to Mare Island after her first cruise on 02 Nov 1958. [U.S. Navy Photo 46169-11-58]	A view of the USS SARGO's (SSN 583) sail as she passes through the Mare Island causeway on 02 Nov 1958. Note from Darryl Baker: "This is the only indication that I have seen of a nuclear submarine this far north of the shipyard waterfront." [U.S. Navy Photo 46170-11-58]