>From the “Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships,” 

(1970) Vol. 5, p.330.





PLUNGER



		Plunger:  A diver, a daring gambler.





SSN-595



Displacement:  

	Surfaced:  3,700 t.

	Submerged:  4,300 t.

Length:  278’6”

Beam:  31’8”

Speed:  20+ k.

Complement:  100

Armament:  4 21” torpedo tubes

Class:  THRESHER



	The third PLUNGER (SSN-595) was authorized as an SSGN 

but was laid down as an SSN 2 March 1960 at Mare Island 

Shipyard, Vallejo, Calif.; launched 9 December 1961; 

sponsored by Mrs. Clinton P. Anderson; and commissioned at 

Mare Island 21 November 1962, Comdr. William M. Adams in 

command.



	Following a trip to Puget Sound 27 November to test 

torpedo tubes and sound gear, PLUNGER departed Mare Island 5 

January 1963 for shakedown to Pearl Harbor.  PLUNGER next 

was homeported at Mare Island and operated to test the 

performance of sonar and the fire control system.  In April 

she changed homeport to Pearl Harbor, where she became 

flagship of ComSubDiv 71, 1 April.



	Continuing in a testing capacity, PLUNGER evaluated the 

most advanced class of nuclear attack subs.  Operating off 

the U.S. west coast during the spring and summer, she 

proceeded to Wake Island 15 September 1964 for SubRon 

Operational Evaluation missile firing.



	At Pearl Harbor again in January 1965, PLUNGER was 

selected to demonstrate the capability of the Navy's latest 

ASW weapon system to Dr. Donald Hornig, Special Assistant to 

the President for Science and Technology.  At Wake Island in 

May, PLUNGER participated in C/S-17, the SubRon Operational 

Training Test.  In September, she prepared for WestPac 

deployment, which continued into mid 1966.  During this 

deployment, PLUNGER conducted evaluation exercises of 

AN/SQS-36 sonar and traveled as far east as Okinawa and 

Subic Bay.  She also conducted ASW exercises and executed 

oceanographic and port surveys.



	At Pearl Harbor with SubRon 7 in 1967, PLUNGER operated 

to improve the ASW readiness of the Pacific fleet; from 6 to 

22 March, she participated in ASW exercises and later 

continued in advanced type-training work.  During inport 

periods at Pearl Harbor, PLUNGER provided services to Fleet 

Training Program Pearl Harbor.  Homeporting at Puget Sound 

the last 6 months of 1967, PLUNGER returned to Pearl Harbor 

1 February 1968 and continues operations with the Pacific 

Fleet into 1970.



	[Deactivated, in commission, on 10 February 1989, 

PLUNGER was formally decommissioned on 3 January 1990 and 

stricken from the Navy Register the following 2 February.  

She went through the Navy’s Nuclear Powered Ship and 

Submarine Recycling Program at Bremerton, Washington between 

5 January 1995 and 8 March 1996.  Upon completing the 

program, the vessel ceased to exist as a complete ship.



Internet web site:

	United States Naval & Shipbuilding Museum

		www.uss-salem.org/worldnav/usa/decom.htm





Transcribed by Michael Hansen

mhansen2@home.com