Sculpin (SSN-590)

Sculpin (SSN-590) was a *Skipjack*-class nuclear submarine of the United States Navy. She was the second vessel named for the sculpin fish, succeeding the World War II-era *Gato*-class boat USS Sculpin (SS-191), lost in 1943. Commissioned in 1961, *Sculpin* served as a frontline attack submarine throughout the Cold War, conducting numerous deployments and intelligence missions. She was decommissioned in 1990 and later recycled.

Construction and commissioning

The contract for *Sculpin* was awarded to Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi on 23 January 1957. Her keel was laid down on 3 February 1958, and she was launched on 31 March 1960, sponsored by Mrs. Frederick B. Warder, wife of the Vice Admiral and former commander of her namesake. The submarine was commissioned into the Atlantic Fleet on 1 June 1961 under the command of Commander John H. Maurer. As a member of the revolutionary *Skipjack* class, her design incorporated the advanced teardrop hull and the powerful S5W reactor plant, providing exceptional speed and agility.

Operational history

Following shakedown and intensive training, *Sculpin* began her operational career with the Submarine Force Atlantic. She was a frequent participant in major NATO exercises throughout the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, often opposing Soviet Navy surface and submarine forces. A significant aspect of her service involved clandestine intelligence collection and surveillance missions, including operations near the Kola Peninsula and within the Barents Sea. In 1968, she underwent an extensive overhaul at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, which included refueling her reactor and updating her sonar and combat systems. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, *Sculpin* continued her forward deployments, operating under the Second Fleet and later with the Sixth Fleet, and participated in exercises like Ocean Safari.

Decommissioning and disposal

After nearly three decades of service, *Sculpin* was decommissioned and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register simultaneously on 3 August 1990 at the Norfolk Naval Station. Her nuclear fuel was removed, and she was placed in safe storage at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine. Her final disposition was through the Ship-Submarine Recycling Program at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington. The recycling process was completed on 30 October 1991, formally ending the vessel's existence.

Awards and legacy

During her long career, the crew of *Sculpin* earned multiple awards, including the Navy Unit Commendation, the Navy Expeditionary Medal, and several Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal citations for her forward deployments. She also received the Navy "E" Ribbon for battle efficiency. The submarine's legacy is tied to the pivotal *Skipjack* class, which set the standard for all subsequent American attack submarine designs with its hull form and reactor combination. Her name continues the proud lineage of U.S. Navy vessels honoring the tenacious sculpin fish, a tradition upheld today by the *Los Angeles*-class attack submarine USS *Sculpin* (SSN-590).

Category:Skipjack-class submarines Category:Ships built in Mississippi Category:1961 ships