About this Unit
USS Bushnell (AS-15) was a Fulton-class submarine tender commissioned by the United States Navy in May 1943. During World War II, she provided vital maintenance, repair, and logistical support to submarines operating in the Pacific Theater, particularly at bases such as Pearl Harbor, Midway, and Guam. After the war, Bushnell continued her service during the Cold War, supporting submarine operations from various locations, including Key West, Florida. She was decommissioned in 1970 after nearly three decades of service, having played a significant role in sustaining the Navy’s submarine fleet through two major eras.
Historical Facts
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Namesake: USS Bushnell (AS-15) was named after David Bushnell, an American inventor and the creator of the first submarine ever used in combat, the "Turtle," during the American Revolutionary War.
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Class and Type: She was one of the Fulton-class submarine tenders, designed to support and repair submarines while deployed at sea or in forward areas.
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World War II Service: Commissioned on 10 April 1943, Bushnell played a vital support role in the Pacific Theater by maintaining and tending submarines operating against Japanese forces.
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Guadalcanal Campaign: The ship provided crucial logistics and tender services to submarines at Espiritu Santo during and after the Guadalcanal campaign, helping to maintain the pressure on Japanese shipping.
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Surviving Typhoon: In December 1944, Bushnell weathered a powerful typhoon while anchored at Apra Harbor, Guam, demonstrating the resilience of her crew and design.
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Post-War Operations: After WWII, Bushnell continued to serve as a submarine tender, supporting peacetime operations in the Pacific and later the Atlantic, including the early Cold War years.
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Cuban Missile Crisis: During the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, Bushnell was stationed at Key West, Florida, providing critical support to U.S. submarines monitoring Soviet activities.
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Modernization: Over her long career, Bushnell underwent several modernizations to accommodate newer submarine classes, including the transition from diesel-electric to nuclear-powered subs.
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Decommissioning: After nearly 30 years of service, USS Bushnell was decommissioned on 20 September 1970 and later sold for scrap in 1974.
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Legacy: The USS Bushnell's long service life and adaptability made her a symbol of the vital, behind-the-scenes work done by support vessels in ensuring the operational readiness of the U.S. Navy's submarine fleet.
