From: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships

(AS-32: dp. 19,000; l. 599'; b. 83'; dr. 2S'4"; s. 18 k.; cpl. 1,190; a. 2 5"; cl. Hunley)

The third Holland was launched by Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp., Pascagoula, Miss., 19 January 1963; sponsored by Mrs. John a. Stennis, wife of U.S. Senator from the State of Mississippi, delivered to the Charleston Naval Shipyard, Charleston, S.C.; and commissioned 7 September 1963, Captain Charles W. Styer, Jr. in command.

Holland departed Charleston on 14 October for shakedown training at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, returning to Charleston on 19 November. She commenced post-shakedown availability on 25 November.

While Holland is neither a submersible nor a combatant ship, she will be a vital link in support of our Nation's first line of deterrance- the Navy's Polaris Weapons System. She is capable of making any submarine repair other than major overhaul, including servicing and maintaining the nuclear power plants of Polaris-firing submarines.

The opening of 1964 found Holland at Charleston, S.C. making preparations for deployment to the Polaris replenishment anchorage at Rota, Spain. She arrived Rota 1 April and relieved Proteus (AS-19) as the FBM submarine tender shortly thereafter. Holland continued her vital service to the Polaris submarines until relieved 4 November 1966. Holland arrived Charleston 22 November. There she tended submarines of the Atlantic Fleet into 1967.

Transcribed 2/16/98 by Sandy Wills