Specifications:
Keel Laid: 09 SEP 60- Launched: 18 AUG 62
- Commissioned: 16 DEC 64
- Decommissioned: 12 JUN 91
- Stricken: 12 JUN 91
- Builder: New York Shipbuilding Corporation
- Propulsion system: one S5W nuclear reactor
- Screw: one
- Length: 279 ft (85 meters)
- Beam: 32 ft (10 meters)
- Draft: 25 ft (8 meters)
- Displacement, surfaced: approx. 3810 tons
- Displacement, submerged: approx. 4369 tons
- Speed: Surfaced: in excess of 15 knots
- Speed: Submerged: in excess of 28 knots
- Armament: four x 21 inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes
- Crew: 12 Officers, 100 Enlisted
Sources: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, www.navysite.de, Wikipedia
History - The Sixties:
The keel of USS HADDO (SSN 604) was laid at New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden New Jersey on 9 September 1960. Launching took place on 18 August 1962 with Mrs. Henry M. Jackson, wife of the United States Senator from the state of Washington, acting as ships sponsor at the christening and launching ceremony. First builders trials were conducted on 27 September 1964. Sonar and acceptance trials followed on 16 November and 1 December 1964 by Rear Admiral Robert W. Cavenagh, USN. Commandant Fourth Naval Disctrict. Haddo's first Commanding Officer was Commander John G. Williams, Jr., USN of Ilwaco, Washington. After commissioning, the remainder of 1964 was spent at New York Shipbuilding Corporation undergoing a restricted availability and the ship departed Camden on 17 January 1965.
On 22 January 1965, Haddo arrived in New London for two weeks refresher training. After refresher training she reported to her home port of Charleston, S. C. for the first time on 8 February 1965, and joined the ships of Submarine Squadron Four. On 23 February she departed Charleston for fleet exercises in the Caribbean and visits to Saint Thomas, San Juan and Roosevelt Roads. During the month of April, sound trials were conducted in Euma Sound and torpedo acceptance trials were conducted at Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She returned to Charleston on 15 April and participated in fleet exercises and local operations until 4 June when she commenced preparations for overseas movement. On 7 July Haddo deployed with the U.S. Sixth Fleet.
While in the Mediterranean, she participated in numerous exercises with ship of the Sixth Fleet and NATO Countries and visited the ports of: Italy; Toulon, France; Golfe-Juan, France; Taranto, Italy; and Rota, Spain. Haddo returned to Charleston on 7 November. The remainder of 1965 was spent in upkeep at Charleston. On 11 December 1965, LCDR Robert Chewing, USN relieved CDR John G. Williams , Jr., USN as Commanding Officer.
On February 11 1966, Haddo departed Charleston for St. Croix, Virgin Islands for torpedo trials. She then returned to Charleston on 4 March and remained in port until 21 March when she departed for fleet exercises in the Atlantic including a 3 day stop in Bermuda., B.W.I. From 28-30 March. The 19th to 26th of April was spent in Norfolk, Virginia, where the ship was depermed. On 28 April, Haddo entered the Charleston Naval Ship Yard for her post Shakedown Availability until 19 August. Submarine exercises were then conducted from 25 August to 15 September. On 17 October 1966, Haddo departed for an Atlantic submarine exercise for the remainder of the year, returning to Charleston on 5 January 1957.
After a month of leave and upkeep, Haddo resumed operations by participating in ASWEX VI in mid- February 1967. In March, Haddo successfully completed a Weapons Acceptance Inspection (NWAI) for SUBROC and departed for Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico and St. Croix, Virgin Islands for weapons system accuracy trials. Upon completion of WSAT and SUBROC certification, Haddo stopped briefly in Charleston on the way to participation in ASWEX VII in late April and early May 1967.
Returning from ASWEX on 5 May 1967, Haddo underwent an extended upkeep period in Charleston before leaving 9 June for a second Atlantic Submarine Exercise. Following Haddo's return to Charleston 27 August, the ship underwent a three week upkeep period highlighted by a change of command ceremony on 8 September when Commander Robert W. Chewning was relieved by Commander Gerald W. Muench. The ceremony included the presentation of the Legion of Merit to Commander Chewning and the Navy Commendation Medal to Lieutenant Commander Harry L. Mathis, ship's Executive Officer, by Rear Admiral J. S. Dorsey, USN, Commandant SIXTH Naval District, for their performance on Haddo during operations in 1966.
Upon completion of the upkeep period, Haddo underwent two weeks of type training from 18 to 29 September. On 5 October 1967 the ship was again underway, this time to participate in project operrations in the vacinity of Bermuda. On 27 October 1967, Haddo was back in Charleston where Rear Admiral D. G. Baer, Commander Submarine Flotilla Six, presented the ship with the Navy Unit Commendation. The citation, signed by the Secretary of the Navy, read in part “For exceptionally meritorious service during a period in 1966 in the completion of an extremely important and arduous independent submarine operation (which) made contributions of significant value to the defendse of the United States." The Officers and men of Haddo were commended for “marked resourcefulness, persistence and professional skill in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”
Haddo then conducted two weeks of type training which included and Operational Readiness Inspection following which, from 17 to 17 November, Haddo participated in more project operations; this time out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Having operated 18 out of the previous 21 weeks, Haddo returned to Charleston on 18 November1967 for a well earned rest and a restricted availability/interim dry-docking in Charleston Naval Shipyard over the Christmas holidays.
On 8 February 1968, Haddo was again ready for sea and returned to Fort Lauderdale, Florida for another week of project operations followed by a week of equipment checkout and calibration.
On 22 February 1968 Haddo returned to Charleston for an extended upkeep period in preparation for another deployment, her fourth since commissioning.
Haddo was underway from 18-22 March 1968 for training and final equipment checkout prior to deployment.
On 31 May Haddo returned to Charleston from deployment. She underwent an upkeep which included extensive modification and modernization of the sonar set.
On 1 July 1968, Haddo was again underway. Operating out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida Haddo was involved in testing and experimental periscopes. These operations included a Fourth of July visit to Fort Lauderdale.
Haddo returned to Charleston on 11 July and on 15 July entered Charleston Naval Shipyard for removal of the test periscopes and replacement of the storage battery. This work was quickly completed and on 24 July Haddo moved to Pier November for upkeep and completion of sonar modifications.
Haddo was again underway on 26 August 1968. She participated in a torpedo firing exercise and a submarine versus submarine ASW exercise, also during this period, services were provided to patrol aircraft of Commander, Antisubmarine Warfare Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet.
Haddo returned to Charleston on 3 October, for a short upkeep. On 17 October 68, Haddo was presented the Meritorious Unit Commendation by RADM L. G. Bernard, USN, Commander Submarine Flotilla SIX, for operations during a period in 1967. The citation, presented at Pier November, U.S. Naval Base, Charleston, read, in part “The outstanding results achieved during this operation testify to the exceptional professional skill, resourcefulness, and ingenuity of her dedicated officers and men, Their technical knowledge, loyal devotion to duty, and coordinated team spirit were responsible for the exceptional degree of success attained." During the ceremony, Captain H. G. Hanssen, USN, Commander Submarine Squadron Four, presented Haddo the battle efficiency “E” for fiscal year 1968.
Haddo was underway on 18 October, for New London, Connecticut. Arriving in New London on 20 October, She entered floating dry dock (ARD-7) on 21 October, to correct torpedo tube problems and to perform some much needed hull preservation. This work was completed on 28 October, and Haddo departed New London the following day. After conducting sonar exercises enroute, Haddo arrived at Charleston on 3 November.
After a week in port, Haddo departed Charleston on 10 November to provide services to Commander, Submarine Development TWO, in an exercise to develop submarine tactics. Upon completion of this exercise, Haddo participated in an ASW Fixed Wing Evaluation Exercise, operating against aircraft of the USS Essex (CVS 9).
Haddo returned to Charleston on 26 November 1968 and began preparations for her fifth deployment. She conducted local operations fro 16-19 December and on
6 January 1969, Haddo departed for an extended at- sea period.
Haddo returned to Charleston from Deployment on 6 March 1969 for an upkeep period. Sea trials were conducted from 15-18 April. Haddo was underway on 21 April to provide services to Aircraft.
Haddo returned to Charleston on 26 April, to pick up the CINCLANTFLT Nuclear Power Examining Board. Haddo returned to Charleston on 30 April, after a successful Operational Reactor Safeguard Examination.
After a short time in port, Haddo was underway on 6 May, for exercises with an FBM submarine returning from patrol. Haddo returned to Charleston on 15 May. After approximately three hours in port, she was underway by order of COMSUBLANT to fire a SUBROC as part of a presidential fleet presentation. The weapon performed successfully and on 17 April, Haddo proceeded to Grand Turk to conduct and Operational Suitability Test of the same weapons system.
Haddo returned to Charleston on 26 May, for an upkeep period. She was underway on 23 June to participate in communications drills and to provide services to aircraft. She returned to Charleston on 28 June for a refit period along side submarine tender Hunley.
Haddo was underway on 20 July, enroute to the U.S. Naval Academy on a goodwill tour. At Annapolis, midshipmen boarded Haddo, were briefed on her capabilities, and given tours. Haddo left the Naval Academy on 25 July, and arrived the same day in Norfolk to off-load weapons preparatory to undergoing overhaul.
Haddo was underway on 26 July for Charleston. After arriving in Charleston, a dependents' cruise was conducted on 2 August 1969.
On 4 August 1969, Haddo entered Charleston Naval Shipyard for an 18 month “Sub-safe” overhaul.
On 13 September 1969, an awards ceremony was held and Captain W. R. Banks, USN, Commander Submarine Squadron Four, presented Haddo the Battle Efficiency “E” for fiscal year 1969, her second in as many years. CDR Muench was presented the Naval Commendation Medal by RADM J. B. Osborn, USN, Commander Submarine Flotilla Six, for operations in Haddo during the spring of 1969.
The remainder of 1969 was spent in dry-dock undergoing the extensive repairs and modifications inherent in a “Sub-safe” overhaul, designed to improve submerged safety.
~ Sixties History provided by Tim France
History - The Seventies:
Haddo received an eighteen-month "subsafe" overhaul at Charleston Naval Shipyard from August 1969 to April 1970. Following overhaul, Haddo's home port changed to New London, Connecticut, where she became a member of Submarine Squadron TEN. Haddo operated out of New London from 1971 to 1973. In the spring of 1972, Haddo completed the first six-month Mediterranean deployment for an SSN. In the fall of 1972, she again deployed to the Med, returning just prior to Christmas.
From August 1973 until December 1975, Haddo underwent an extensive refueling overhaul at Ingalls Shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi. After transiting the Panama Canal on 13 February 1976, Haddo's homeport shifted to San Diego, California and joined the Pacific Fleet as a member of Submarine Squadron THREE.
In the spring of 1977, Haddo departed for the Western Pacific, returning in the fall after an arduous six-month deployment. During the first three months of 1978, Haddo accomplished an intensive Selected Restricted Availability at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington. In December 1978, Haddo again deployed to the Western Pacific, visited New Zealand and returned in 1979.
History - The Eighties:
Haddo arrived in Mare Island Naval Shipyard for another intensive Selected Restricted Availability in February 1980. In August of the same year she deployed to the Indian Ocean, visited HMAS Stirling in Western Australia from 16–22 December 1980, and returned to San Diego in February 1981.
In July 1981, Haddo deployed to the Western Pacific, visited Japan and returned to San Diego in late October 1981. Haddo arrived at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in April 1982 and underwent an extensive modernization and overhaul in January 1984, returning to San Diego.
From February to August 1985, Haddo again deployed to the Western Pacific visiting Japan and Hong Kong. As a result of her successful deployment, and superb operational reliability, Haddo was again awarded the Battle Efficiency "E" for Excellence for 1985. Haddo underwent an intensive Selective Restricted Availability in October 1985 in San Diego. Haddo then deployed to the Western Pacific from August 1986 to February 1987, again visiting Japan and Hong Kong. She completed several months of successful local operations before undergoing her last Selected Restricted Availability in San Diego from January to March 1988.
Haddo conducted a two-month ASW operation in June and July 1988. From February 1989 until February 1990, Haddo was deployed from San Diego over 300 days, conducting intensive operations in support of the National Defense, including a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific visiting Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and the Philippines. During her last of six WESTPACs, she also completed the longest continuously submerged period in her 25-year history. In the fall-winter of 1989 and 1990, Haddo participated in the largest Pacific Fleet naval exercise since 1945, PACEX-89, and conducted a two-month ASW operation in the northern Pacific.
History - The Nineties:
Haddo was decommissioned and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 12 June 1991. Ex-Haddo entered the Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program in Bremerton, Washington, and on 20 June 1992 ceased to exist.
