USS Scamp (SSN-588)

• Second Ship Named Scamp: USS Scamp (SSN-588) was the second U.S. Navy vessel to bear the name "Scamp," following USS Scamp (SS-277), a World War II Gato-class submarine lost in 1944. • Skipjack-Class Submarine: Scamp was a Skipjack-class nuclear-powered attack submarine, representing a significant advance in U.S. submarine design due to her teardrop hull and single propeller for enhanced underwater speed. • Commissioning: She was commissioned on June 5, 1961, with Commander W. E. Meyer in command, joining the U.S. Navy’s rapidly modernizing nuclear attack submarine force. • First Pacific Homeport: After her shakedown, Scamp was permanently assigned to the Pacific Fleet, with Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, as her initial homeport before moving to San Diego, California. • Cold War Operations: Scamp took part in numerous Cold War patrols and special operations, including surveillance and intelligence missions, although many details remain classified. • Vietnam War Service: The submarine was active during the Vietnam War, supporting U.S. naval operations in the Western Pacific and earning at least one Navy Unit Commendation for her service. • Record-Setting Speed: As a Skipjack-class, Scamp was among the fastest submarines of her era, capable of speeds over 30 knots submerged, thanks to her innovative hull design and nuclear propulsion. • Collision Incident: In 1981, USS Scamp collided with the USS Merrill (DD-976), a Spruance-class destroyer, during training exercises off Southern California, resulting in minor damage and no casualties. • Decommissioning: After over 27 years of service, Scamp was decommissioned on February 28, 1988, and later scrapped via the Nuclear-Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program. • Crew Traditions: Former crew members of Scamp have kept her memory alive through reunions and organizations, sharing stories of undersea adventures, camaraderie, and life aboard one of the Navy’s pioneering nuclear submarines.