About this Unit
USS **Snook** (SSN-592) was a Skipjack-class nuclear-powered attack submarine of the United States Navy, named after the snook fish. She was commissioned on 24 October 1961, serving primarily with the Pacific Fleet. During her career, Snook conducted numerous patrols and exercises, contributing to Cold War deterrence and anti-submarine warfare operations. The submarine was decommissioned on 14 November 1986, after 25 years of service, and subsequently scrapped as part of the Nuclear-Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program.
Historical Facts
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Namesake: USS Snook (SSN-592) was named after the snook, a type of saltwater fish, and was the second U.S. Navy ship to bear the name.
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Class and Type: She was a Skipjack-class nuclear-powered attack submarine, among the fastest and most advanced submarines of her era.
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Commissioning: USS Snook was commissioned on October 24, 1961, with Commander Howard Bucknell III as her first commanding officer.
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Builder: She was built by Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and was the first nuclear submarine constructed by this shipyard.
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Operational Highlights: Throughout her service, Snook participated in various operations including Cold War patrols, surveillance missions, and antisubmarine warfare exercises.
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PACFLT Assignment: She was primarily assigned to the Pacific Fleet (PACFLT) and was homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
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Notable Deployments: USS Snook made several deployments to the Western Pacific and was involved in critical intelligence-gathering missions during tense periods of the Cold War.
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Overhaul and Upgrades: In the early 1970s, Snook underwent a significant overhaul in the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, receiving improved sonar and fire control systems.
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Decommissioning: After more than 18 years of service, USS Snook was decommissioned on November 14, 1986, and struck from the Naval Vessel Register the same day.
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Recycling and Legacy: The submarine was disposed of through the Nuclear-Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program at Puget Sound, completed in 1996. Her sail is now preserved and displayed at the Naval Undersea Museum in Keyport, Washington, as a tribute to her service.
