USS Permit (SSN-594)

USS "Permit" (SSN-594) became the lead ship of her class of submarine when the former lead ship, "Thresher" (SSN-593) was lost. She was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for the permit, a food fish, often called "round pompano," found in waters from North Carolina to Brazil.

The contract to build her was awarded to Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 27 January 1958 and her keel was laid down on 1 May 1959. She was launched on 1 July 1961 sponsored by Mrs. John A. McCone, and commissioned on 29 May 1962, with Lieutenant Commander Robert H. Bount in command.

She spent five weeks of trials in the Puget Sound area, and then three weeks at Mare Island for checkout of the SUBROC missile system. During late-summer and early-fall, "Permit" underwent shakedown in the San Diego, California, area. After final acceptance trials in January 1963, she participated in a thorough evaluation of the SUBROC missile, and on 28 March, became the first submarine to successfully fire one. During 1964 and 1965, "Permit" engaged in more testing and training of an advanced nature.

"Permit" underwent an overhaul at Mare Island during the winter of 1966. From May to July, she deployed to WestPac, and after a short stop at Pearl Harbor, returned to San Diego 13 August. She spent the remainder of the year operating in local waters.

The submarine underwent overhaul at Mare Island in 1967. During this period, her homeport was changed to Vallejo, California. By late November, "Permit" was ready for trials in Puget Sound, and a return to San Diego 12 December. She operated off San Diego until 22 April, when she departed for Special Operations in the Pacific, which lasted until 26 June. From 24 July to 1 October, she was engaged in another special assignment. "Permit" then resumed local operations off San Diego.

"Permit" was decommissioned and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 23 July 1991. Ex-"Permit" entered the Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program in Bremerton, Washington, on 30 September 1991 and on 20 May 1993 ceased to exist.

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