The DARTER Submarine II (SS-576)

A Navy publication photo of SS-576, taken sometimes in the 1970's.

"In October 1956, thirteen years after the original DARTER (SS-227) was commissioned, the new DARTER (SS-576) was commissioned at Electric Boat Company, Groton, Connecticut. 

Since her construction, DARTER (SS-576) has continually undergone modernization and conversion to make her performance comparable to the newest submarines of her type.

The new DARTER has been homeported at New London, Connecticut; Charleston, South Carolina; San Diego, California and most recently Sasebo, Japan. She has seen service in the North Atlantic, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and the Western Pacific.

Statistically, the new DARTER is 285 feet long, has a beam of 27 feet, displaces 2,050 tons, and is propelled by diesel-electric drive through twin propellers. Her complement is 75 men and 3 officers."



The new USS DARTER remained in service through 1981, a career spanning almost 30 years. There is a letter dated 1981, in which the Skipper of SS-576 requested a copy of the famous photograph of the SS-227 aground on Bombay Shoal.  Hugh personally saw to it that the SKipper obtained a copy, which was framed and kept in the officer's quarters. 

The new DARTER sub was decommissioned October 6, 1989.  My grandfather was invited to the ceremony and recorded a VHS video of the occasion. Maybe someday I will put this on Youtube.

The officers of the SS-576 awarded Hugh with a wood and bronze plaque bearing the coat-of-arms of the new ship, which he kept in his living room next to the USS MENHADEN one.

A personally autographed photo of the USS-DARTER SS-576 from 1981.

Hugh's commemorative beer stein decorated with the seal of the submarine.