About this Unit
USS Skate (SSN-578) was the lead ship of her class and the third nuclear-powered submarine commissioned by the United States Navy. Launched in 1957 and commissioned in 1957, Skate made history in March 1959 by becoming the first submarine to surface at the North Pole, demonstrating the Navy's ability to operate under the Arctic ice. Throughout her service, she conducted numerous Cold War patrols, exercises, and scientific missions, highlighting the strategic value of nuclear submarines. USS Skate was decommissioned in 1986 after nearly three decades of service.
Historical Facts
• First of Her Name: USS Skate (SSN-578) was the lead ship of her class and the third U.S. Navy ship named "Skate."
• Pioneer of Nuclear Power: She was the third nuclear-powered submarine ever launched, following USS Nautilus and USS Seawolf.
• Historic North Pole Surfacing: In March 1959, Skate became the first submarine to surface at the North Pole, breaking through the ice—a landmark achievement in Cold War naval operations.
• Tribute to Nautilus: During the 1959 North Pole voyage, Skate scattered the ashes of Sir Hubert Wilkins, Arctic explorer and supporter of under-ice navigation, at the Pole as a tribute.
• Record-Setting Under-Ice Operations: Skate made three Arctic cruises and surfaced through the ice nine times during her service, demonstrating the feasibility of under-ice navigation and operations for nuclear subs.
• First Winter Submarine at the Pole: She was the first submarine to surface at the North Pole in winter, battling extreme conditions and thick ice cover.
• Cold War Patrols: Skate’s Arctic patrols were vital during the Cold War, proving that the U.S. could deploy nuclear deterrent forces beneath the polar ice cap, out of reach of Soviet detection.
• Technical Innovations: Skate-class submarines, including SSN-578, were among the first to feature a teardrop-shaped hull and advanced sonar, enhancing their performance and stealth.
• Service Span: Commissioned in 1957, Skate served for 22 years before being decommissioned in 1986, reflecting the durability of early nuclear submarine designs.
• Final Fate: After decommissioning, she was recycled through the Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program in Bremerton, Washington, in 1995, marking the end of her historic journey.
