USS HAMMERHEAD (SSN 663)

USS Hammerhead (1944 - 1954) SS-364
 

The first Hammerhead was launched 24 October 1943 by Manitowoo Shipbuilding Co. of Manitowoc, Wis.; sponsored by Mrs. R. W. Berry; and commissioned 1 March 1944, Comdr. J. C. Martin in command. 

After a month's training in Lake Michigan Hammerhead was placed in a floating drydock and towed down the Mississippi River to New Orleans, La., where she arrived 8 April 1944. She subsequently proceeded to Balboa, Canal Zone, for further training, and thence to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

The submarine departed Pearl Harbor on her first war patrol 6 June 1944 in company with Steelhead and Parche. Cruising the seas south of Formosa, her first engagement came 9 June when she sank a sampan with gunfire. She then encountered a coastal oiler 29 June and closed for the attack, but the torpedoes failed to strike home and a surprise aerial attack forced the sub down. Next day Hammerhead damaged several ships of a convoy. She returned to Fremantle, Australia 17 August 1944.

Hammerhead's second war patrol was conducted in the Java and South China Seas. She departed Fremantle 9 September and made her first attack the night of 1 October, when a convey consisting of four cargo ships, one oiler, and three escorts was detected off Borneo. Hammerhead fired! 10 torpedoes, scored a total of 6 hits, and sent 3 of the cargo ships to the bottom. The morning of 20 October the submarine found still another six ship convoy, and after evading one of the escorts delivered a six-torpedo attack. Two more cargo ships fell victim to Hammerhead's marksmanship. The submarine returned from this highly successful patrol 2 November 1944, and was later awarded the Navy Unit Commendation for her outstanding performance.

The submarine commenced her third war patrol 25 November, returning to the South China Sea. On this cruise she operated with Lapon and Paddle, and although several attacks were made, no sinkings resulted. She returned to Fremantle 17 January 1945.

Hammerhead departed on her fourth war patrol 19 February, in company with Baya. Patrolling off Cape Varella, she detected a convoy and two escorts 23 February and while closing the cargo ships obtained a perfect shot on an escort. A spread of four torpedoes sank Japanese frigate Yaku. Due to the illness of her commanding officer, the submarine was forced to end her patrol, and moored at Subic Bay 3 March 1945.

Beginning her fifth war patrol 10 March 1945, Hammerhead proceeded to the coast of Indochina, where on 29 March she detected a large escorted convoy. Working her way inside the screen, the submarine was able to get a clear shot at an escort vessel, and a single hit broke her in two. After sinking the escort, Hammerhead damaged other members of the group before retiring. She returned from this war patrol 6 April 1945, mooring at Subic Bay, Philippines.

For her sixth war patrol Hammerhead operated in the Gulf of Siam. She arrived 6 May and that night encountered a small tanker and two escorts. After missing with two torpedoes at extreme range the submarine found the mark in a second attack, sinking the tanker Kinrei Maru. Hammerhead attacked other ships of the convoy without success and after a depth charge attack decided to break off. Sighting a cargo carrier 14 May with only an aircraft escort, Hammerhead made a perfect approach and sank the ship with two torpedoes. She returned from this patrol 25 May.

Hammerhead departed Fremantle 21 June on her seventh and last war patrol, also carried out in the Gulf of Siam, in company with three other submarines. Her major attack of this patrol occurred 10 July, when she sank cargo ships Sakura Maru and Nanmei Maru No. 5. The patrol was brought to a close 21 August 1945 at Pearl Harbor. 

Hammerhead arrived Mare Island, Calif., for decommissioning 20 August 1945 and decommissioned 9 February 1946. She was then placed in the Fleet Reserve at Mare Island. Subsequently, Hammerhead was brought out of reserve during the Korean conflict, recommissioned 6 February 1952, and engaged in training duty on the West Coast between San Diego and San Francisco, Calif., until 21 August 1953. when she decommissioned for return to the Reserve Fleet. Earmarked for loan under the Military Assistance Program, the veteran submarine re-commissioned once more 16 July 1954 to prepare for transfer. Decommissioned and transferred to Turkey 23 October 1954, she now serves the Turkish Navy as Cerbe (S-341).

Hammerhead received seven battle stars and a Navy Unit Commendation for World War II service. All seven of her war patrols were designated successful.

USS Hammerhead (1944 - 1954) SS-364
 

The second Hammerhead (SSN-663), a Sturgeon-class nuclear submarine, was laid down by Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co.. Newport News, Va., 29 November 1965; launched 14 April 1967 and sponsored by Mrs. O. Clark Fisher. The commissioning of the nuclear submarine is scheduled for the spring of 1968. A key element in the underwater deterrent force of the Navy she contributes to the vital, continuing task of "keening the peace" over the vast reaches of global waters. Designed to attack and destroy all types of enemy ships, she is able to operate for long periods at great depths and at high submerged speed, making her a potent and effective challenge to enemy submarines. Operating under nuclear power, she also can conduct long-range reconnaissance patrols and surveillance missions without risking detection by, surface ships. Moreover, she is able to carry out extensive ASW operations, either alone or with other fleet submarines and destroyer-type surface ships.

Keel Layed:  29 November 1965
Christening Date:  14 April 1967
Commissioning Date:  28 June 1968
Decommissioned Date:  5 April 1995
 

USS HAMMERHEAD PHOTOGRAPHS

USS HAMMERHEAD (SS-364)

USS HAMMERHEAD (SS-364) Battle Flag, WWII

USS HAMMERHEAD (SSN-663)

USS HAMMERHEAD (SSN-663)

USS HAMMERHEAD (SSN-663)