Shark (SSN-591)

Shark (SSN-591) was a ''Skipjack''-class nuclear-powered attack submarine of the United States Navy. The second vessel named for the shark, it was a pioneering design that combined the revolutionary S5W reactor plant with the first application of a teardrop hull for submerged performance. Commissioned in 1961, *Shark* served for nearly three decades during the Cold War, conducting vital intelligence collection and deterrence missions.

Design and construction

The design of *Shark* was based on the groundbreaking USS ''Albacore'' (AGSS-569), which validated the advantages of a single-screw teardrop hull form for optimal hydrodynamic efficiency. Built by Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia, the submarine incorporated the new S5W reactor, a standardized plant that became the workhorse for the U.S. Navy for decades. Its construction was overseen by the Naval Sea Systems Command and it featured the AN/BQQ-2 sonar suite and Mark 37 torpedoes as primary armament. The keel was laid on 24 February 1958, and the vessel was launched on 16 March 1960, sponsored by Mrs. John H. Sides, wife of the Director of Naval Intelligence.

Operational history

Following its commissioning ceremony on 9 February 1961, *Shark* was assigned to Submarine Force Atlantic and homeported at Naval Submarine Base New London in Connecticut. The submarine's early service involved intensive testing and development of tactics for the new class, operating alongside sister ships like USS ''Scorpion'' (SSN-589). Its primary missions throughout the Cold War included tracking Soviet Navy vessels, particularly ballistic missile submarines, in key areas like the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea. *Shark* also participated in numerous NATO exercises, often operating with units from the United States Sixth Fleet and the Royal Navy. In 1969, the submarine entered the Norfolk Naval Shipyard for a major overhaul and refueling.

Decommissioning and disposal

After 29 years of service, *Shark* was decommissioned and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register simultaneously on 15 September 1990. The ceremony took place at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine. Following the removal of its reactor core and nuclear components, the hulk was transferred to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Washington. There, it entered the Ship-Submarine Recycling Program, the formal process for dismantling U.S. naval reactors. Recycling was completed on 28 June 1995, marking the final disposition of the vessel.

Commanding officers

Command of *Shark* was held by a succession of experienced naval officers from the United States Naval Academy and other commissioning sources. Its first commanding officer was Commander W. P. Murphy, who oversaw its initial sea trials and shakedown cruise. Subsequent commanding officers included notable submariners such as Commander R. K. Rumble during the mid-1960s and Commander J. B. Grady in the early 1970s. Later commanders, including Captain T. B. Burton and Captain J. R. Harvey, led the submarine through its final operational deployments before its decommissioning.

Awards and legacy

Throughout its career, *Shark* and its crew were recognized with several unit awards, including the Navy Unit Commendation and multiple Navy Expeditionary Medals for forward deployments. The submarine's design legacy is profound, as its hull form and S5W reactor plant directly influenced all subsequent U.S. attack submarines, including the ''Thresher''-class and the ''Los Angeles''-class. *Shark* is remembered as a key asset in maintaining undersea warfare superiority during a critical period of the Cold War, contributing to the strategic posture of the United States Atlantic Command.

Category:Cold War submarines of the United States Category:Skipjack-class submarines Category:Ships built in Newport News, Virginia Category:1961 ships