USS CANOPUS

USS Canopus refers to two United States Navy ships. The first USS Canopus (AS-9), commissioned in 1922, served as a submarine tender in the Asiatic Fleet and played a vital support role during the early stages of World War II in the Pacific, particularly in the defense of the Philippines before being scuttled in 1942 to prevent capture. The second USS Canopus (AS-34), commissioned in 1965, was a Simon Lake-class submarine tender that provided maintenance and logistical support to ballistic missile submarines during the Cold War, mainly operating out of Rota, Spain, and later King's Bay, Georgia. Both ships were crucial in extending the operational reach and effectiveness of the U.S. Navy's submarine forces during their respective service periods. The legacy of the USS Canopus is marked by its steadfast support to the silent service across two major eras of naval warfare.