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
USS Skipjack (SSN-585) Night" from 15 September to 9 October. On 22 October, "Skipjack" returned to Norfolk, where she remained through January 1972. "Skipjack" spent most of 1972 in tests and type training out of Groton, CT and Norfolk, VA as well as the Caribbean. The submarine returned to Norfolk in late 1972. Toward the end of spring in 1973, "Skipjack" returned to the Mediterranean Sea and conducted several exercises with the Sixth Fleet. During that time "Skipjack" was home ported at La Maddalena on the NE corner of Sardinia. Returning to Norfolk in September "Skipjack" crossed paths with Hurricane Ellen during the