About this Unit
USS William H. Bates (SSN-680) was a Sturgeon-class attack submarine commissioned by the United States Navy on May 5, 1973. Named after Congressman William H. Bates, she served primarily in the Atlantic Fleet during the Cold War, conducting numerous intelligence-gathering missions and participating in NATO exercises. The submarine played a key role in undersea surveillance and anti-submarine warfare operations, often operating in challenging environments beneath the Arctic ice. After nearly three decades of distinguished service, USS William H. Bates was decommissioned on February 11, 2000.
Historical Facts
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Namesake Tribute: USS William H. Bates (SSN-680) was originally named USS Redfish, but was renamed in 1969 to honor Congressman William H. Bates, a strong advocate for the U.S. Navy and submarine force.
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Sturgeon-class Submarine: The boat was a Sturgeon-class nuclear-powered fast attack submarine, a critical class during the Cold War, designed for anti-submarine warfare, surveillance, and intelligence gathering.
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Launch and Commission: William H. Bates was launched on June 11, 1971, by General Dynamics Electric Boat Division in Groton, Connecticut, and commissioned on May 5, 1973.
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Cold War Operations: The submarine participated in numerous covert intelligence missions and surveillance patrols in the Atlantic and Mediterranean during the height of the Cold War.
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Arctic Operations: William H. Bates conducted under-ice operations in the Arctic, showcasing the versatility and endurance of nuclear submarines in polar conditions.
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Homeport Change: In 1976, the submarine changed homeport from Groton, Connecticut, to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, reflecting a strategic shift to the Pacific theater.
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Rescue Exercise: During her service, the submarine participated in joint rescue exercises, demonstrating the Navy’s ability to respond to submarine emergencies.
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Notable Deployments: William H. Bates completed several Western Pacific deployments, visiting ports such as Subic Bay (Philippines), Yokosuka (Japan), and Guam, strengthening international naval partnerships.
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Deactivation and Decommissioning: The submarine was deactivated on February 3, 2000, and officially decommissioned on February 11, 2000, after nearly 27 years of service.
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Recycling: The submarine entered the Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington, and was fully recycled by November 29, 2002.
