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History of USS PERMIT SSN-594

USS PERMIT (SSN-594) was the lead ship of her class of nuclear-powered attack submarines in the United States Navy. Commissioned on May 29, 1962, she played a crucial role during the Cold War, conducting surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, and intelligence-gathering missions in the Pacific Ocean. Permit was notable for being part of the first class of submarines designed from the outset for nuclear propulsion, significantly enhancing the Navy's underwater capabilities. After nearly three decades of service, USS PERMIT was decommissioned on July 23, 1991.

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ABOUT USS PERMIT SSN-594

  • Namesake: USS Permit (SSN-594) was named after the permit, a fish found in western Atlantic waters. She was the lead ship of her class, known originally as the Thresher-class until that name was changed after the loss of USS Thresher in 1963.
  • Commissioning: USS Permit was commissioned on 29 May 1962, at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California, and was the first nuclear submarine built on the West Coast of the United States.
  • Technological Advances: The Permit-class introduced several significant improvements, including the BQQ-2 sonar and SUBSAFE safety program enhancements after the Thresher disaster.
  • Thresher-Class Redesignation: The class was originally called the Thresher-class, but after the loss of USS Thresher (SSN-593), the class was renamed the Permit-class out of respect for those lost.
  • Role in Cold War Operations: USS Permit conducted numerous surveillance, intelligence, and training missions in the Pacific during the height of the Cold War, contributing to the US Navy’s underwater deterrent posture.
  • Collision Incident: In May 1962, just before commissioning, Permit collided with the merchant ship Hawaiian Citizen during sea trials, resulting in repairs and modifications before entering service.
  • Testing Platform: Permit served as a testbed for many new submarine technologies, including advanced sonar and noise-reduction systems that influenced later submarine designs.
  • SUBSAFE Program: After the Thresher tragedy, Permit underwent extensive upgrades and retrofits as part of the newly established SUBSAFE program, which focused on improving submarine safety and survivability.
  • Decommissioning: USS Permit was decommissioned on 23 July 1991 after nearly 30 years of service and was scrapped via the Ship-Submarine Recycling Program at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.
  • Legacy: Artifacts from USS Permit, such as her ship’s bell, are preserved and displayed in museums, commemorating the service and technological achievements of early nuclear-powered submarines.

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