SNOOK
Centropomus undecimalis

The Snook is a sleek and extremely strong fish. They are a subtropical species that range in size up to 48" and 50 pounds. Also known as an opportunistic feeder, Snook Fishing is considered by many to be some of the most exciting shallow water game fishing in the world. Snook fishing can be just as frustrating as it can be rewarding.  At times they will attack a fly or lure with lightening speed and other times they will timidly follow a presentation all the way to the boat before turning away. Their complex and spooky behavior makes them a supreme challenge. 

The picture above was taken on July 3, 1984 of the Snook (SSN-592) as she enters Rio de Janeiro harbor, Brazil, during Operation Unitas XXV, an annual, multinational naval exercise. Sugarloaf Mountain is in the background. The sailor on the sail plane is identified as FTC(SS) Craig Parker.
Skipjack Class Attack Submarine: Laid down, 7 April 1958, at Ingalls Shipbuilding Co., Pascagoula, MS.; Launched, 31 October 1960; Commissioned, USS Snook (SSN-592), 24 October 1961; Decommissioned, 8 October 1986; Struck from the Naval Register, 14 November 1986; Laid up at Bremerton Naval Shipyard; Final Disposition, entered the NPSSRP (Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program) at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, WA., 1 October 1996 and completed 30 June 1997.
Specifications: Displacement, Surfaced: 2,880 t., Submerged: 3,500 t.; Length 251' 9"; Beam 32'; Draft 28 ft.; Speed, Surfaced 15 kts, Submerged 30+ kts; Depth Limit 700'; Complement 118; Combat Systems, Sonar, BQR-12, BQR-2 passive, BQS-4 (modified) active/passive; Radar BPS-12; Fire Control, MK-101 torpedo FCS, ASW MK-48; Armament, six 21" torpedo tubes, forward; Propulsion System, one S5W nuclear reactor, two Westinghouse steam turbines, one propeller 15,000 shp..
USS SNOOK (SSN-592) was one of a radically different and faster class of submarines. Her blunt nose, "football" shaped hull, devoid of superstructure, makes SNOOK and her five sister ships [USS SKIPJACK (SSN-585), USS SCAMP (SSN-588), USS SCORPION (SSN-589), USS SCULPIN (SSN-590), USS SHARK (SSN-591)] hydrodynamically superior to other submarines. The combination of this hull form and a powerful nuclear reactor plant made possible the highest submerged speed yet attained. 

SNOOK's keel was laid down at the Ingalls Shipbuilding Corporation in Pascagoula, Mississippi on 7 April, 1958 and she was launched on Halloween Day, 31 October, 1960. SNOOK is honored to have Mrs. George L. WALLING as her sponsor. Mrs. WALLING is the mother of Commander J.F. WALLING, U.S. Navy who was Commanding Officer of the first submarine USS SNOOK (SS 279) when she was lost in action during World War II in April 1945.  LT William H. McMicken, MC USN was assigned as medical officer of the SNOOK in April 1961 while the ship was under construction at Pascagoula, MS. Medical Officer's duties during the construction period consisted of radiation protection, coolant analysis and atmosphere control as well as training and edcational programs, and medical care of the crew. Commander Howard BUCKNELL, III, U.S. Navy, who had been Officer in Charge and Prospective Commanding Officer during construction, was first to take command of the new nuclear powered submarine SNOOK at her commissioning on 24 October, 1961. Post-commission sea trials then followed in the Gulf of Mexico. SNOOK left Pascagoula and transited the Panama Canal to the Pacific in November 1961. Shortly thereafter the ship went to the Bremerton Naval Base near Seattle. Because the Executive Officer, LCDR James Watkins, knew transportation might be a problem while there, Dr. McMicken drove his 1962 Chevy SS Impala to Seattle while the ship sailed without him, and joined them there, adding taxi duties to his job description. SNOOK conducted sound and torpedo trials in the Puget Sound area before turning to San Diego, her home port, for the Christmas holidays and to complete her post construction shakedown period. A crew member drove the Chevy back to San Diego, and Dr. McMicken stayed on board for the trip back to home port in SanDiego. On 1 February, 1962 SNOOK reported to Mare Island Naval Shipyard for post shakedown shipyard availability. During this period in Mare Island, Dr. McMicken enjoyed liberty in San Francisco frequently, and lived off base in a furnished apartment in San Pablo, just across the San Francisco Bay, half-way between the shipyard and San Francisco. One of his disappointments associated with Dr. McMicken's tour of duty on board SNOOK was that there was very little time spent at sea due to the long post-construction shakedown period and extensive time spent in the shipyard. Captain Bucknell expressed a desire to keep a medical officer on board during their first Western Pacific deployment. With Dr. McMicken's agreement, Captain Bucknell requested the Bureau of Personnel that he be allowed to stay. This as not approved, and Dr. McMicken received orders to leave SNOOK to report to Deep Sea Diving School in Washington DC. This was training that was needed for full qualification as a submarine medical officer and to assume duties as a Squadron Medical Officer in Norfolk, VA with Submarine Squadron Six.

Launching at Ingalls 10/31/1961

Following her Final Acceptance Trials at Mare Island in May 1962, SNOOK conducted type training off San Diego. On 23 June, 1962 SNOOK departed San Diego to deploy as a unit of the SEVENTH Fleet in the Far East. It is believed that this was the first extensive (6 months) deployment of a nuclear submarine. SNOOK operated with various surface and air units of the powerful United States SEVENTH Fleet, spending a total of 181 days away from her home port. During that time she steamed a total of 41,000 miles, 37,000 of which were completely submerged. During one period of extended training operations, the ship submerged and did not surface again for 55 consecutive days, depending entirely upon her nuclear reactor plant and atmosphere control equipment to keep her comfortably isolated from the outside world.
SNOOK returned to San Diego on 21 December, 1962 and moored to the new Submarine Pier at Ballast Point. The first month of 1963 was spent conducting type training in the local operating areas off San Diego. On 1 February, SNOOK entered Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, California for extensive improvements to her hull fittings and hull welds. On 23 February, 1963, Commander W.K. YATES, U.S. Navy relieved Commander BUCKNELL as Commanding Officer.
SNOOK left the shipyard on 23 August, 1963 and returned to San Diego for type training. On 2 January, 1964 she again deployed to the Western Pacific to join the SEVENTH Fleet. During this second deployment, SNOOK took part in many major fleet exercises and spent 120 days at sea out of a total of 163 days deployed. SNOOK steamed 31,000 miles during this period, 29,000 of which were completely submerged. On 14 June SNOOK returned to San Diego after a successful deployment. On 13 July SNOOK entered Mare Island Naval Shipyard for routine repair and a new electronic equipment installation. SNOOK left the yard on 1 November and returned to San Diego. On 14 November, 1964 Commander J.D. WATKINS, U.S. Navy, who had been the first Executive Officer of the Snook, relieved Commander YATES as Commanding Officer. The remainder of the year was spent in the testing of the new electronics equipment and routine submarine type training in the San Diego operating areas.
After participating in local operations off San Diego early in the new year, SNOOK departed San Diego on 19 March, 1965 for her third extended deployment to the Western Pacific as a unit of the SEVENTH Fleet. Highlights of this deployment were port calls made to Sasebo, Japan and Chinhae, Korea. SNOOK was the second nuclear submarine to visit Japan and the first nuclear submarine to visit Korea. During varied operations with the SEVENTH Fleet, SNOOK cruised submerged for 5 out of 6 months, steaming 34,000 miles of which 32,000 were submerged.
On 25 September, 1965 SNOOK returned to San Diego, ending a highly successful deployment. After a well deserved leave and upkeep period, the next six months were spent conducting local operations off San Diego, undergoing sound trials at Carr Inlet, Washington, and dry docking at Mare Island.
SNOOK departed San Diego on 16 April, 1966 for her fourth extended deployment to the Western Pacific. During this deployment, SNOOK visited Naha, Okinawa; Yokosuka, Japan; Subic Bay, Philippine Islands; Hong Kong, Chinae, Korea; and Sasebo, Japan. SNOOK was the first nuclear powered ship to visit Yokosuka, and during the port call at Chinhae, President Park Chug Hee of the Republic of South Korea embarked on SNOOK for a Andy familiarization cruise. On 18 July, SNOOK was awarded the Battle Efficiency "E" for Submarine Division THIRTY-ONE. On 3 September, Commander Avery K. LOPOSER, U.S. Navy relieved Commander WATKINS as Commanding Officer.
SNOOK returned to San Diego on 19 November, 1966, having steamed 35,000 miles of which 34,000 were submerged. The remainder of the year was spent in holiday leave and upkeep. On 13 December, SNOOK was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation for operations performed during the Spring of 1965.   SNOOK participated in various local operations off San Diego during the early months of 1967. On 19 March, 1967 SNOOK departed San Diego for a fourteen month overhaul and her first refueling at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington.
On 30 June, 1968, her first overhaul complete, SNOOK returned to San Diego, California. She participated in various local operations off San Diego which included the sinking of the USS ARCHERFISH (AGSS 311), that ship being used as training target after being decommissioned. According to the "Official Naval Message" from COMSUBRON FIVE to CNO, Date Time Group 172314Z Oct 68, gives the date/time of sinking Archerfish as Oct 17, 1968 at 22-26-42Z (to the nearest second). Position is Lat/Lon 32 Degrees 23.0'N/122 Degrees 58.1'W. Two MK 37-2 and one MK 14-5 torpedoes were employed by Snook. The first Mk 37-2 did not acquire or attack the target. The second MK 37-2 hit the stern and detonated but did not sink the target. The MK 14-5 hit between the after end of the conning tower and the after battery hatch (perfect amidships hit), lifted her out of the water, broke her in half, and it was all over.

The sinking of ARCHERFISH (AGSS-311) as seen through the periscope of USS SNOOK (SSN-592)

From January through April 1969, following the Christmas leave and upkeep period, SNOOK took part in various HUKASWEX exercises and preparation for overseas deployment. In May 1969 SNOOK once again departed for an extended deployment in the Western Pacific.
SNOOK's fifth Western Pacific deployment lasted seven months and seven days; the longest deployment yet for SNOOK. Ports of call were Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; Subic Bay, Philippines; Buckner Bay, Okinawa; Yokosuka, Japan; and Hong Kong, British Crown Colony.
On August 5, 1969 at the completion of the first of three extended operations of the deployment, Commander W.T. HUSSEY relieved Commander A.K. LOPOSER as Commanding Officer of the SNOOK, at Subic Bay, Philippines. Commander HUSSEY's parents Vice Admiral George F. HUSSEY, Jr., USN (Ret) and Mrs. HUSSEY were present at the ceremonies.
SNOOK returned to San Diego on 22 December, 1969 and relaxed into holiday routine which gave the crew a well earned rest. Late in January, SNOOK returned to sea participating in exercise UPTIDE with other units of the First Fleet.
In June 1970, SNOOK went to Mare Island Naval Shipyard for an interim Dry Docking. After leaving Mare Island in September 1970, SNOOK returned to San Diego to participate in ASW exercises and various training operations in preparation for deployment early in 1971.
On 4 January, 1971 SNOOK departed San Diego for the sixth Western Pacific deployment for this well traveled  nuclear submarine. SNOOK left port at 1000 headed for Pearl Harbor and a one week period of upkeep, final system checkout, and briefings by Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Staff. During the six month deployment the ship spent 137 days at sea, nearly 70% of the total time away from San Diego, and steamed approximately 38,500 miles, 38,000 miles submerged.
The ship visited the ports of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; Buckner Bay, Okinawa; Yokosuka, Japan; Hong Kong; Pusan, Korea; Guam, M.I.; and Subic Bay, Philippines. The longest in port period was spent in Yokosuka, Japan making preparations for an extended two month operation. While deployed in the Western Pacific the SNOOK operated with various ships of the SEVENTH Fleet and the Japanese Self Defense Force.
 The SNOOK returned to San Diego on 12 July, 1971 and remained in port for the next two months for leave and upkeep. During the month of August, the ship made preparations to participate in two major fleet exercises ROPEVAL 3-71 and UPTIDE 3A scheduled for September and early October.
On 8 September, 1971 the SNOOK left San Diego for a ten day Fleet training exercise involving many Naval vessels of the U.S. FIRST Fleet. Returning late on the 17th of September, the SNOOK remained in port for twelve days, installing special electronic equipment for the second ten day exercise.
Early on the eighth of October, SNOOK returned to San Diego and spent the last two months of the year conducting local weekly operations off San Diego. from January to early May 1972, SNOOK conducted local operations and a seven week Restricted Availability alongside the USS DIXON (AS 37). This is the first time such an effort was attempted by a tender on a nuclear submarine.
On 11 May, 1972, about 2300, SNOOK was ordered to deploy within 48 hours to the Western Pacific for an extended deployment. With a great effort by all hands, SNOOK was readied and set sail at 1200, 13 May, 1972, just 37 hours after notification.
SNOOK remained away from San Diego until 27 July, 1972. During deployment SNOOK visited Subic Bay, Philippines; Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; and Kaohsiung, Republic of China. SNOOK was only the third nuclear submarine to visit Kaohsiung. SNOOK participated in operations in support of U.S. Forces in Vietnam as part of her assigned tasks.
SNOOK spent two weeks at home with families and friends then departed for a nine week Restricted Availability and Dry Docking at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.
On 10 October, 1972, while in the shipyard, Commander W.T. HUSSEY was relieved by Commander J.D. COSSEY as Commanding Officer, USS SNOOK. After leaving Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Snook conducted sound trials in Washington (Puget Sound) in preparation for a West Pac. It was during these sound trials that Snook grounded on the bottom of Dabob Bay, Washington, on October 25, 1972. On line references describe the ship as "slightly damaged". Private email from a crew member on board at that time informs me that the sonar dome, anchor, and rudder were severely damaged. The ship then apparently spent a few weeks in drydock for repairs at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.
SNOOK got underway on 10 January, 1973 for her eighth deployment with the SEVENTH Fleet. During this deployment, SNOOK visited Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and Guam in the Marianas. She returned to San Diego on 16 June and began a four week, post deployment leave and upkeep period, followed by another four weeks engaged in sonar evaluation tests. On 26 November 1973, following her participation in COMUTEX 12-73, SNOOK entered Mare Island Naval Shipyard to begin a refueling overhaul.
 During the 1976 West Pac, Snook visited Hawaii, Guam, Yokosuka, Pusan Korea, PI, Hong Kong, PI, Perth-Freemantle Australia, before returning to San Diego. During the 1976 West Pac in May, Commander J.D. Cossey was relieved by Commander Robert C. Smith as Commanding Officer, USS SNOOK.
During the 1978 West Pac, Snook visited Hawaii, Yokosuka, Chin Hai Korea, PI, and Guam. Snook returned to Mare Island Naval Shipyard in 1979 before transfer to the Atlantic in 1980.
Decommissioned and stricken from the Navy Register on 14 November 1986, former SNOOK began the Navy's Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program in Bremerton, Washington on 1 October 1996 and completed it on 30 June 1997. Upon completion, she ceased to exist as a complete ship.

If any Crewmembers serving on board Snook from about 1978 till 1986 has more information to add to this history page, I would be happy to hear from you. Email to: whmcmicken@mcmicken.com.
To view a very detailed and complete website about USS Snook SSN-592 please click here: USS Snook SSN-592 Homepage