Canopus (AS 34) - Naval Cruise Book

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WHA T IT'S ALL ABOUT Site One exists to provide a strategic deterrent force. Ten SSBN's: USS JAMES MADISON, USS TECUMSEH USS DANIEL BOONE, USS JOHN C. CALHOUN, USS ULYSSESVS. GRANT, USS VON STUBEN, USS CASIMIR PULASKI, USS STONEWALL JACKSON, USS SAM FZAYBURN, USS NATHANIEL GREENE, patrol the oceans of the world to maintain peace and enable the United States and all freedom loving people to enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. . ,, , ' fffffffft 1 Mgr , 7

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CAPTAIN JAMES R. LEWIS, USN u i .I J It Ili' IL i ,y JC I. X I F f di rt ll ' V H e 9 s ul Q 'fl -I..-it .... mr'-E-,,-A-:,...-H, , ..1.: .-....:-1. . -1,..- .1 f .a',:.'.':, Ja' f , , ' l , 1 I ' 2 'l Sw will I'-1 +1 l M , l k 1.951 I it ir T, I I if If , 5 I 'M I I I COMMANDING OFFICER Submarine Squardron FOURTEEN, the world's first Fleet Ballistic Missile QFBIVII squadron, was established 1 July 1958. One year later USS GEORGE WASHINGTON QSSBN-5981 was launched and became the squadron's first submarine. The squadron's first twenty months of existence were spent in the Pentagon, transforming the FBM concept into reality. On 15 February 1960 the squadron moved to Nor- folk, Virginia, to work with the Fleet Commander on operational planning. Submarine Squadron FOURTEEN then moved to New London, Connecticut, in September 1960 with GEORGE WASHINGTON assigned as temporary flagship. On 15 November 1960 GEORGE WASHINGTON departed on the first FBM patrol. The USS PROTEUS IAS-195, a converted conventional submarine tender, became the first FBM support ship. Following GEORGE WASHINGTON'S departure on her second patrol, PROTEUS sailed for the Squadron's new home in the Holy Loch, Scotland, arriving there on 3 March 1961. A week later USS PATRICK HENRY QSSBN- 599J entered the Holy Loch to begin the first SSBN refit in foreign waters. USS CANOPUS IAS-341, the fourth submarine tender to be assigned to Submarine Squadron FOURTEEN, arrived in the Holy Loch on 5 May 1970. During 1972 the squadron completed transition to an all 627 class poseidon-converted FBM submarine squadron. Captain James R. Lewis has been Commander, Sub- marine Squadron FOURTEEN since 19 January 1974.

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1 HISTORY OF OLD LADY AS-9 - The first American submarine tender named Canopus is now on the bottom of Mariveles Bay, The Philippines. Following a lengthy and brilliant performance in sustaining American men and ships in the embattled Philip- pines, Canopus was scuttled by her crew due to operational necessity. The Old Lady, equipped with forges, machine shops, oil tanks and other vitals necessary for her mission, had been tending her submarine brood for some 20 years when World War ll erupted around her in The Philip- pines. With the Army falling back on Manila, the Old Lady sailed to Mariveles Bay at the tip of Bataan on Christmas Day, 1941, under the command of Commander E. L. Sackett qlater Rear Admiralj. Throughout the war period Canopus sustained numerous direct hits resulting in dead and injured and some structural damage. But, on 29 December 1941 and 2 January 1942, Canopus received direct bomb hits which caused 13 dead and injured, and substantial damage to the vessel. Nonetheless, her men, always working at a fevered pace, continued to care for other ships and men while keeping Canopus afloat and operational. Although the last submarine had departed the Old Lady before New Years Day, 1942, her activity continued as she cared for men and equipment and small vessels of the Army and Navy. Canopus provided health and comfort facilities for the beleaguered ground forces. Her storerooms were opened to every request, and ar- ticles not available were readily improvised. The Old Lady's crewmembers engaged in the ground fighting as part of a hastily-formed naval battalion. Her launches were converted into minature gunboats which attacked the Japanese who moved along the shore, causing substantial casualties. These launches, under the command of the Executive Officer, Hap Goodall, became famous as the Mickey Mouse Battle Fleet. On 10 April 1942, Canopus was backed into deep water under her own power. The courageous veteran there ended a life time of honorable service to the Navy when she was laid to rest by her own men. The Old Lady was gone, but her crew remained. They joined the naval forces in the final stand at Corregidor. There was no such thing as sinking the Spirit of the Old Lady . That Spirit was embodied in her crew.