USS Scamp (SSN-588), a Skipjack-class nuclear-powered submarine, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for the scamp, a member of the fish family Serranidae.
Construction and commissioning
Scamp′s keel was laid down on 23 January 1959 at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, California. She was launched on 8 October 1960, sponsored by Mrs. John C. Hollingsworth, widow of Commander John C. Hollingsworth, the commanding officer of at the time of her loss in November 1944 during World War II. She was commissioned at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 5 June 1961 with Commander W. N. Dietzen in command.
Operational history
1960s
Scamp’s first four months in the fleet were taken up by advanced trials and training exercises in the Bremerton, Washington, San Diego, California, and Pearl Harbor, areas. Following these operations, she returned to Vallejo, California, for post-shakedown availability at Mare Island Naval Shipyard. Leaving the shipyard Scamp completed her final acceptance trials and began local operations in the San Diego area. During training the sub lost her screw off the coast of California on 4 December 1961 and was towed back to Mare Island by the Coast Guard Cutter USCGC Comananche WMEC-202 ( built for the USN as ATA-202 in 1944) In April 1962 she deployed to the western Pacific, returning to San Diego in July. She operated locally until September, when she departed on another extended training cruise. Scamp returned to San Diego and local operations until February 1963 when she entered Mare Island Naval Shipyard for interim drydocking. She refloated in March and, in April, deployed again to the western Pacific. While in the Far East, she conducted another extended period of advanced training, including operations in the Okinawa area. Scamp reentered San Diego Bay in October 1963. She resumed her West Coast operations out of San Diego until June 1964, then, she headed west again for advanced readiness training. She arrived back in San Diego in September 1964.
1980s
Scamp was home ported in Groton Naval Submarine Base New London, Connecticut during the early 80s. She deployed for five months to the Mediterranean Sea from October 1982, to March 1983. During this time, Scamp was sent to the Libyan coast, where she monitored the shoreline, and the military activity thereon, while protecting the aircraft carrier (possibly the JFK???) which had purposefully violated the Line of Death Muammar Gaddafi drew far into International Waters. This incursion earned many men inclusion into the VFW, whether they know it or not.
By the end of 1983, she had earned her second BATTLE EFFICIENCY SERVICE AWARD.
In July 1984, Scamp participated in UNITAS XXV with South America.
During a storm in the North Atlantic on 24 February 1987, while attempting to rescue members of the crew of the sinking Philippine freighter, MV Balsa 24, Scamp suffered flooding and damage to her sail which led to her early retirement. The sub saved the life of one crew member, 18 others perished.
Decommissioning
Scamp was decommissioned and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 28 April 1988. ex-Scamp entered the Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program in Bremerton, Washington, in 1990 and on 9 September 1994 became the first hulk to complete the program and ceased to exist.
Honors and awards
- Meritorious Unit Commendation with two stars (3 awards)
- 106px Navy E Ribbon
- Vietnam Service Medal with three campaign stars for Vietnam War service