About this Unit
USS Scamp (SSN-588) was a Skipjack-class nuclear-powered attack submarine commissioned by the United States Navy in 1961. Built at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Scamp was among the early generation of nuclear submarines, designed for high speed and improved underwater performance. Throughout her service, Scamp conducted a variety of missions, including anti-submarine warfare exercises, intelligence gathering, and deterrent patrols during the tense years of the Cold War. After more than two decades of active duty, she was decommissioned in 1988 and later scrapped as part of the Navy’s Ship-Submarine Recycling Program.
Historical Facts
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Cold War Operations: Scamp took part in numerous Cold War patrols and special operations, including surveillance and intelligence missions, although many details remain classified.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
