USS Canopus (AS-34)

USS Canopus (AS-34) is a Submarine tender of the Simon Lake Class. Her keel was laid on March 2, 1964.

Canopus was launched on February 12, 1965, at Ingalls Shipbuilding Corporation in Pascagoula, Mississippi.

Canopus was completed and delivered to the Navy in record breaking time on October 25, 1965.

USS Canopus joined Submarine Squadron 18 at Charleston and was commissioned on November 4, 1965. After a short outfitting period, Canopus sailed for the Caribbean on January 7, 1966. Canopus visited Guantánamo Bay, Cuba for shakedown training. She returned to Charleston Naval Shipyard on February 24 for the usual post shakedown work.

In mid April 1966, Canopus completed her acceptance trials and upon final loading and outfitting deployed to the Cooper River FBM Replenishment Site on June 24. Canopus started refitting submarines of Squadron 18.

On September 24, 1966, Canopus deployed from Charleston, South Carolina arriving in Rota Spain on October 10. Canopus relieved USS Holland (AS-32) and reported to the Commander of Submarine Squadron 16 for duty.

While at Rota, Canopus accomplished more Polaris refits than any other submarine tender in a comparable amount of time.

On April 20, 1969, Canopus was relieved by the "USS Holland" and sailed for Bremerton, Washington via the Panama Canal. In Bremerton, the Canopus was extensively overhauled and thereby gained the title of the first submarine tender in the United States Navy capable of refitting and maintaining a submarine with the Poseidon Missile System.

After completion of this overhaul, Canopus sailed for Holy Loch, Scotland via the Panama Canal. In May 1970, she relieved the USS Simon Lake (AS-33) at Holy Loch. She reported to the Commander of Submarine Squadron 14.

On November 29, 1970, a fire broke out [cite web|url=http://www.ssbn657.com/Sea%20Stories/sea-canopusfire.htm |title=Thanksgiving 1970 - Fire on the Canopus |accessdaymonth=17 September |accessyear=2008 |last=Courtien |first=Tom |coauthors=Russ Christie, John Linville |work=SSBN 657 USS Francis Scott Key Crew Home Page ] in the CPO baggage room [cite web |url=http://www.usscanopus.org/PDF/CANOPUS%20History%20from%20NHC.pdf |title=U.S.S. "CANOPUS" (AS-34): Deployments |accessdaymonth=17 September |accessyear=2008 |author=Naval Historical Center |format=PDF |work=USS Canopus Association |pages=p. 1] , killing 3 and injuring 10. The fatalities (all smoke inhalation) were two prisoners, and the guard who had freed them from the brig.

Canopus remained in Holy Loch until November 1975. During this time, Canopus was instrumental in establishing several new maintenance concepts while completing, on schedule, every submarine refit during the 67 months at Holy Loch. During the last year at Holy Loch, Canopus received numerous awards including the Ney Award for the best large mess afloat, the second consecutive Battle Efficiency "E", the CINCLANTFLT Golden Anchor Award for personnel retention, and the Navy Unit Commendation for her role in the first FBM Submarine Extended Refit Period.

In 1976, the Canopus underwent an extensive refit at Charleston Naval Shipyard and returned to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for refresher training. The Canopus returned to Rota, Spain in December 1976.

As a result of the shipyard overhaul in Charleston, Canopus brought new and improved capabilities to Rota for the support of Submarine Squadron 16.

In June 1979, the Canopus relieved the Simon Lake at the Naval Weapons Station at Charleston South Carolina.

The Canopus now reported to the Commander of Squadron 18. In January 1980, the Canopus got underway and went convert|200|mi|km|-1 off the coast to conduct drills. In March 1980, Canopus got underway and made a liberty cruise to Cape Canaveral, Florida.

In 1984 after being relieved by the USS Holland AS-32, the Canopus underwent an overhaul at Charleston Naval Shipyard - which lasted until 1985. Refresher training and shake-down was conducted out of GITMO (Guantanamo Bay, Cuba).

After a short stay at Charleston, the Canopus sailed in July 1985 to Kings Bay GA, where she relived the Simon Lake - assuming upkeep and refit duties for the SSBNs of Subron 16.

The Canopus was located at Kings Bay Georgia during the early 1990s. During a ceremony held at Warrior Wharf, Naval Submarine Base, Kings Bay on Friday, the Seventh day of October, 1994 -- USS Canopus' 29 years of service was celebrated; and she was decommissioned from active service.

Plans to scrap the vessel in the United Kingdom have run into controversy in view of the risks posed by toxic chemicals and asbestos . [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tees/3242832.stm]

More information about the CANOPUS can be found at the USS Canopus Association website: [http://www.usscanopus.org] .

References