USS Skipjack (SSN-585) USS Skipjack (SSN-585) USS "Skipjack" (SSN-585), the lead ship of her class of nuclear-powered attack submarine, was the third ship of the United States Navy to be named after the Skipjack tuna. Her keel was laid down on 29 May 1956 by the Electric Boat Division of the General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut. She was launched on 26 May 1958, sponsored by Helen Mahon, wife of Representative George H. Mahon from the 19th District of Texas, and commissioned on 15 April 1959 with Commander W. W. Behrens, Jr., in command. On the "Skipjack", there were many design changes that
Skipjack-class submarine Fleet Reactor) during development. The S5W was used on 98 U.S. nuclear submarines of 8 classes and the first British nuclear submarine, , making it the most-used US Navy reactor design to date. "Skipjack" was authorized in the FY 1956 new construction program and commissioned in April 1959. Each hull cost around $40 million. "Skipjack" was certified as the "world's fastest submarine" after initial sea trials in March 1959, although the actual speed attained was classified. The "Skipjack"s remained the fastest US nuclear-powered submarines until the first of the "Los Angeles" class entered service in 1974. This was due to