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{{short description|Unique nuclear attack submarine}}
{| border="1" align="right" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="300" style="margin: 0 0 1em 0.5em"
{{one source|date=November 2015}}
|align="center" colspan="2"|[[Image:USS Glenard P. Lipscomb (SSN-685).jpg|300px|USS Lipscomb (SSN-685)]]
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
|-
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
! style="color: white; height: 30px; background: navy;"| Career
{{Infobox ship image
! style="color: white; height: 30px; background: navy;"| {{USN flag|1990}}
|Ship image= [[File:USS Glenard P. Lipscomb (SSN-685).jpg|300px|USS Glenard P. Lipscomb (SSN-685)]]
|-
|Ship caption=USS ''Glenard P. Lipscomb''
| Awarded:
}}
| [[16 December]] [[1968]]
{{Infobox ship career
|-
|Hide header=
| Laid down:
|Ship country=United States
| [[5 June]] [[1971]]
|Ship flag= {{USN flag|1990}}
|-
|Ship name=USS ''Glenard P. Lipscomb''
| Launched:
|Ship namesake=[[Glenard P. Lipscomb]] (1915–1970)
| [[4 August]] [[1973]]
|Ship awarded=16 December 1968
|-
|Ship builder=[[General Dynamics Electric Boat]], [[Groton, Connecticut]]
| Commissioned:
|Ship laid down=5 June 1971
| [[21 December]] [[1974]]
|Ship launched=4 August 1973
|-
|Ship sponsor=Mrs. Glenard P. Lipscomb
| Fate:
|Ship acquired=
| submarine recycling
|Ship commissioned=21 December 1974
|-
|Ship decommissioned=11 July 1990
| Stricken:
|Ship in service=
| [[11 July]] [[1990]]
|Ship out of service=
|-
|Ship struck=11 July 1990
!colspan="2" style="color: white; height: 30px; background: navy;"| General characteristics
|Ship renamed=
|-
|Ship reclassified=
| Displacement:
|Ship homeport=
| 5813&nbsp;tons surfaced, <br/>6480&nbsp;tons submerged
|Ship motto=
|-
|Ship nickname="The Lipscombfish / Glenny P"
| Length:
|Ship honors=
| 365&nbsp;ft (111&nbsp;m)
|Ship fate=Entered [[Ship-Submarine Recycling Program]] 1997
|-
|Ship identification=SSN-685
| Beam:
|Ship notes=
| 32&nbsp;ft (9.8&nbsp;m)
}}
|-
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Draft:
|Hide header=
|
|Header caption=
|-
|Ship type= [[Nuclear submarine]]
| Powerplant:
|Ship displacement=*{{convert|5813|LT|t|0|abbr=on}} surfaced
| [[S5W reactor]]
*{{convert|6480|LT|t|0|abbr=on}} submerged
|-
|Ship length= {{convert|365|ft|m|abbr=on}}
| Speed:
|Ship beam= {{convert|31|ft|8|in|m|abbr=on}}
| 18&nbsp;knots (33&nbsp;km/h) surfaced, 23&nbsp;knots (43&nbsp;km/h) submerged
|Ship draft=
|-
|Ship propulsion=[[S5W reactor]]
| Depth:
|Ship speed=*{{convert|18|kn|lk=in}} surfaced
| 1300&nbsp;ft (400&nbsp;m)
*{{convert|23|kn}} submerged
|-
|Ship range=
| Complement:
|Ship test depth={{convert|1300|ft|m|abbr=on}}
| 12 officers, 109 enlisted
|Ship complement=12 officers, 109 men
|-
|Ship armament=4 × {{convert|21|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} [[torpedo tube]]s
| Armament:
|Ship armor=
| 4 × 21&nbsp;inch (533&nbsp;mm) [[torpedo]] tubes
|Ship notes=
}}
|}
|}
'''USS ''Glenard P. Lipscomb'' (SSN-685)''' was a unique nuclear-powered [[attack submarine]] of the [[United States Navy]].


The submarine was named after [[Glenard P. Lipscomb]], who served as a [[United States House of Representatives|representative]] from [[California's 24th congressional district]] from 1953 until his death in 1970.
'''USS ''Glenard P. Lipscomb'' (SSN-685)''', a unique [[submarine]], was the only ship of the [[United States Navy]] to be named for Congressman [[Glenard P. Lipscomb]] (1915–1970).


==Design==
''Lipscomb'' was the Navy's second design using a [[turbo-electric]] power plant similar to [[USS Tullibee (SSN-597)|USS ''Tullibee'']]. While this design is quieter, with a [[Tonnage#Weight-based systems|displacement]] of 6,400 [[ton]]s and a length of 365&nbsp;feet, it is heavier and larger than conventional drive trains. Those disadvantages, along with reliability issues, led to the decision not to use this design for the follow-on [[Los Angeles class submarine|''Los Angeles''-class]] submarines. Other than the engine room, ''Lipscomb'' was generally similar to the [[Sturgeon class submarine|''Sturgeon''-class]], and was a fully combat-capable attack submarine.
''Glenard P. Lipscomb'' was developed under project [[Ship Characteristics Board|SCB 302.68]].<ref>Roberts, U.S. Navy Ship Design Project Numbers </ref> She was the U.S. Navy's second submarine design using a [[turbo-electric transmission]]; the first was the smaller {{USS|Tullibee|SSN-597|6}}. ''Glenard P. Lipscomb'' was intended to test the potential advantages of this propulsion system for providing quieter and safer operation for a full sized [[attack submarine]] (safer because reverse thrust would be instantaneous with reversal of the [[direct current]] engine's electric polarity). The ''Tullibee'' plant had to be scaled up by a factor of six, which resulted in a [[Tonnage#Weight-based systems|displacement]] of 6,400 [[ton]]s and a length of {{convert|365|ft}}. ''Glenard P. Lipscomb '' was thus larger than similar vessels with conventional drive trains, which resulted in slower speeds due to the greater displacement and [[wetted area]]. Her unique turbo-electric drive system was unreliable due to the decision to adopt a direct-current main motor.<ref>Friedman, ''U.S. Submarines since 1945'', p. 149</ref><ref>Polmar and Moore, ''Cold War Submarines'', pp. 269-270</ref> Subsequent U.S. submarine designs did not incorporate turbo-electric drive until the {{sclass|Columbia|submarine|1}}s. Other than the engine room, ''Glenard P. Lipscomb'' was generally similar to the {{sclass|Sturgeon|submarine|4}}, and although serving as a test platform she was a fully combat-capable attack submarine.<ref>Friedman, ''U.S. Submarines since 1945'', pp. 147-149</ref>


==Construction==
Construction of ''Lipscomb'' began on [[5 June]] [[1971]] at the Electric Boat shipyard in [[Groton, Connecticut]]. The ''Lipscomb'' is a nuclear powered electric drive submarine. Quietness was one of the most important features of the new ship. It was named after Glenard Paul Lipscomb (August 19, 1915 - February 1, 1970), who served as a Congressman from the 24th District of California from 1953 until his death (intestinal cancer) in 1970. Glenard Lipscomb was a long-time colleague and friend of Melvin R. Laird. Secretary of Defense Laird spoke at the keel laying ceremony and was presented with this model in memory of the event. (Ref Press Release 497-71).
Construction of ''Glenard P. Lipscomb'' began on 5 June 1971 at the [[Electric Boat Company]] shipyard in [[Groton, Connecticut]]. Secretary of Defense [[Melvin R. Laird]], a long-time colleague and friend of Glenard Lipscomb, spoke at the keel-laying ceremony.<ref>Press release 497-71</ref> ''Glenard P. Lipscomb'' was [[ship naming and launching|launched]] on 4 August 1973, sponsored by Mrs. Glenard P. Lipscomb, and was [[ship commissioning|commissioned]] on 21 December 1974.{{citation_needed|date=August 2019}}


==Career==
''Lipscomb'' was [[ship naming and launching|launched]] [[4 August]] [[1973]], sponsored by Mrs. Glenard P. Lipscomb, and was [[ship commissioning|commissioned]] on [[21 December]] [[1974]] with Commander James F. Caldwell in command. Speaking at the commissioning was Melvin R. Laird She was decommissioned and struck from the [[Naval Vessel Register]] on [[11 July]] [[1990]] and disposed of by [[Ship-Submarine recycling program|submarine recycling]] at [[Puget Sound Naval Shipyard]] on [[1 December]] [[1997]].
''Glenard P. Lipscomb'' deployed to the North Atlantic in the fall of 1976, followed immediately by a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea in the winter and spring of 1977. The boat was awarded the [[Meritorious Unit Commendation]].{{citation_needed|date=August 2019}}


The submarine deployed to the North Atlantic in the winter and spring of 1978. ''Glenard P. Lipscomb'' was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation. She deployed to the Mediterranean Sea in the winter and spring of 1979.{{citation_needed|date=August 2019}}
Background: The ''Lipscomb'' was the US Navy’s second prototype design using a turbo-electric power plant similar to the ''Tullibee''. The ''Lipscomb'' was generally similar to the SSN-637 Sturgeon class, apart from the use of submarine turbo-electric drive [TEDS] rather than the standard geared drive. Intended to test the potential advantages of this propulsion system for providing quieter submarine operations, the substantially larger and heavier machinery also resulted in slower speeds. Those disadvantages, along with reliability issues, led to the decision not to utilize this design on the follow-on SSN-688 Los Angeles class of submarines. Although serving as a test platform, the "Lipscomb Fish" was a fully combat-capable attack submarine.


''Glenard P. Lipscomb'' was awarded the Commander, [[Submarine Development Squadron 12|Submarine Development Squadron Twelve]], [[Battle Effectiveness Award|Battle Efficiency]] [White] "E" and Engineering Excellence [Red] "E" for Fiscal Years 1977, 1978 under the command of Commander Robert B. Wilkinson and 1979, and 1980 under the command of Commander Thomas Robertson.{{citation_needed|date=August 2019}}
== Commanding Officers ==
Captain James F. Caldwell, Sr. - Commissioning Skipper. Obituary->[http://arlingtoncemetery.net/jfcaldwell.htm]


In 1987, she was involved in a collision with a [[tugboat]] in the Cooper River at [[Naval Weapons Station Charleston]]. Suffering slight damage to her towed array housing and propeller, she was required to spend an extra week in drydock to facilitate repairs. There were no injuries aboard the submarine; however, the tugboat sank as a result of the collision.{{citation_needed|date=August 2019}}
== References ==
This article includes information collected from the [[Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships]].


''Glenard P. Lipscomb'' was [[Ship decommissioning|decommissioned]] and struck from the [[Naval Vessel Register]] on 11 July 1990 and disposed of under the [[Ship-Submarine Recycling Program|submarine recycling program]] at [[Puget Sound Naval Shipyard]] on 1 December 1997. Her active duty career of less than 16 years is one of the shortest for a nuclear submarine in the US Navy.<ref>Friedman, ''U.S. Submarines since 1945'', p. 238</ref>
==External links==
*[http://www.navsource.org/archives/08/08685.htm navsource.org: USS ''Glenard P. Lipscomb'' (SSN-685)]


== See also ==
Other submarines with unique silencing features
*{{USS|Jack|SSN-605}}
*{{USS|Narwhal|SSN-671}}


==References==
{{DEFAULTSORT:Glenard P. Lipscomb (SSN-685)}}
===Notes===
[[Category:Ships built in Connecticut]]
{{Reflist}}
[[Category:United States Navy submarines]]
[[Category:United States Navy experimental nuclear submarines]]
[[Category:Unique submarines]]


===Sources===
* {{cite book |last=Friedman|first=Norman |title=U.S. Submarines Since 1945: An Illustrated Design History |publisher=United States Naval Institute |year=1994|location=Annapolis, Maryland |isbn=1-55750-260-9}}
* {{cite book |last1=Polmar |first1=Norman |last2=Moore |first2=K. J. |title=Cold War Submarines: The Design and Construction of U.S. and Soviet Submarines |publisher=Potomac |year=2003|location=Dulles, Virginia |isbn=978-1-57488-594-1}}
* Roberts, Stephen S. "[https://www.shipscribe.com/navyrefs/scb/index.html U.S. Navy Ship Design Project Numbers, 1946-1979 ("SCB Numbers")]" Accessed 11 October 2022.


==External links==
[[de:USS Glenard P. Lipscomb (SSN-685)]]
[[it:USS Glenard P. Lipscomb (SSN-685)]]
{{Commons category|USS Glenard P. Lipscomb (SSN-685)}}
* {{navsource|08/08685|USS Glenard P. Lipscomb (SSN-685)}}
[[ja:グレナード・P・リプスコム (原子力潜水艦)]]

{{US submarine classes after 1945}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Glenard P. Lipscomb (SSN-685)}}
[[Category:Ships built in Groton, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Submarines of the United States Navy]]
[[Category:Cold War submarines of the United States]]
[[Category:Experimental nuclear submarines of the United States Navy]]
[[Category:1973 ships]]

Latest revision as of 13:33, 1 May 2023

USS Glenard P. Lipscomb (SSN-685)
USS Glenard P. Lipscomb
History
United States
NameUSS Glenard P. Lipscomb
NamesakeGlenard P. Lipscomb (1915–1970)
Awarded16 December 1968
BuilderGeneral Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, Connecticut
Laid down5 June 1971
Launched4 August 1973
Sponsored byMrs. Glenard P. Lipscomb
Commissioned21 December 1974
Decommissioned11 July 1990
Stricken11 July 1990
IdentificationSSN-685
Nickname(s)"The Lipscombfish / Glenny P"
FateEntered Ship-Submarine Recycling Program 1997
General characteristics
TypeNuclear submarine
Displacement
  • 5,813 long tons (5,906 t) surfaced
  • 6,480 long tons (6,584 t) submerged
Length365 ft (111 m)
Beam31 ft 8 in (9.65 m)
PropulsionS5W reactor
Speed
  • 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph) surfaced
  • 23 knots (43 km/h; 26 mph) submerged
Test depth1,300 ft (400 m)
Complement12 officers, 109 men
Armament4 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes

USS Glenard P. Lipscomb (SSN-685) was a unique nuclear-powered attack submarine of the United States Navy.

The submarine was named after Glenard P. Lipscomb, who served as a representative from California's 24th congressional district from 1953 until his death in 1970.

Design

[edit]

Glenard P. Lipscomb was developed under project SCB 302.68.[1] She was the U.S. Navy's second submarine design using a turbo-electric transmission; the first was the smaller USS Tullibee. Glenard P. Lipscomb was intended to test the potential advantages of this propulsion system for providing quieter and safer operation for a full sized attack submarine (safer because reverse thrust would be instantaneous with reversal of the direct current engine's electric polarity). The Tullibee plant had to be scaled up by a factor of six, which resulted in a displacement of 6,400 tons and a length of 365 feet (111 m). Glenard P. Lipscomb was thus larger than similar vessels with conventional drive trains, which resulted in slower speeds due to the greater displacement and wetted area. Her unique turbo-electric drive system was unreliable due to the decision to adopt a direct-current main motor.[2][3] Subsequent U.S. submarine designs did not incorporate turbo-electric drive until the Columbia-class submarines. Other than the engine room, Glenard P. Lipscomb was generally similar to the Sturgeon class, and although serving as a test platform she was a fully combat-capable attack submarine.[4]

Construction

[edit]

Construction of Glenard P. Lipscomb began on 5 June 1971 at the Electric Boat Company shipyard in Groton, Connecticut. Secretary of Defense Melvin R. Laird, a long-time colleague and friend of Glenard Lipscomb, spoke at the keel-laying ceremony.[5] Glenard P. Lipscomb was launched on 4 August 1973, sponsored by Mrs. Glenard P. Lipscomb, and was commissioned on 21 December 1974.[citation needed]

Career

[edit]

Glenard P. Lipscomb deployed to the North Atlantic in the fall of 1976, followed immediately by a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea in the winter and spring of 1977. The boat was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation.[citation needed]

The submarine deployed to the North Atlantic in the winter and spring of 1978. Glenard P. Lipscomb was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation. She deployed to the Mediterranean Sea in the winter and spring of 1979.[citation needed]

Glenard P. Lipscomb was awarded the Commander, Submarine Development Squadron Twelve, Battle Efficiency [White] "E" and Engineering Excellence [Red] "E" for Fiscal Years 1977, 1978 under the command of Commander Robert B. Wilkinson and 1979, and 1980 under the command of Commander Thomas Robertson.[citation needed]

In 1987, she was involved in a collision with a tugboat in the Cooper River at Naval Weapons Station Charleston. Suffering slight damage to her towed array housing and propeller, she was required to spend an extra week in drydock to facilitate repairs. There were no injuries aboard the submarine; however, the tugboat sank as a result of the collision.[citation needed]

Glenard P. Lipscomb was decommissioned and struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 11 July 1990 and disposed of under the submarine recycling program at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard on 1 December 1997. Her active duty career of less than 16 years is one of the shortest for a nuclear submarine in the US Navy.[6]

See also

[edit]

Other submarines with unique silencing features

References

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Roberts, U.S. Navy Ship Design Project Numbers
  2. ^ Friedman, U.S. Submarines since 1945, p. 149
  3. ^ Polmar and Moore, Cold War Submarines, pp. 269-270
  4. ^ Friedman, U.S. Submarines since 1945, pp. 147-149
  5. ^ Press release 497-71
  6. ^ Friedman, U.S. Submarines since 1945, p. 238

Sources

[edit]
  • Friedman, Norman (1994). U.S. Submarines Since 1945: An Illustrated Design History. Annapolis, Maryland: United States Naval Institute. ISBN 1-55750-260-9.
  • Polmar, Norman; Moore, K. J. (2003). Cold War Submarines: The Design and Construction of U.S. and Soviet Submarines. Dulles, Virginia: Potomac. ISBN 978-1-57488-594-1.
  • Roberts, Stephen S. "U.S. Navy Ship Design Project Numbers, 1946-1979 ("SCB Numbers")" Accessed 11 October 2022.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to USS Glenard P. Lipscomb (SSN-685).
  • Photo gallery of USS Glenard P. Lipscomb (SSN-685) at NavSource Naval History
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=USS_Glenard_P._Lipscomb&oldid=1152645221"