- USS Cavalla (SSN-684)
USS "Cavalla" (SSN-684), a "Sturgeon"-class submarine, was the second ship of the
United States Navy to be named for thecavalla , a salt water fish.The contract to build SSN-684 was awarded to the
Electric Boat Division ofGeneral Dynamics Corporation inGroton, Connecticut on24 July 1968 and her keel was laid down on4 June 1970 . She was launched on19 February 1972 sponsored by Mrs. Melvin Price, and commissioned on9 February 1973 , with CommanderBruce DeMars in command. In mid-1980, "Cavalla" sailed to her new homeport at Subase,Pearl Harbor , Hawai'i. Under the command of SUBRON ONE (Submarine Squadron One), which is, in turn, under the command of COMSUBPAC (Commander, Submarines Pacific Fleet). Her operations covered the globe; including the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian and Arctic oceans."Cavalla" was unique amongst her sister ships in many ways. She was the first submarine to successfully perform DDS (Dry Deck Shelter) operations in 1983. Attached to the back of the boat, this 'tank' allowed personnel to leave the submarine while submerged. During her western
Pacific deployment of 1985-1986, the USS Cavalla supported critical DDS operations forSEAL team certification.Fact|date=June 2008 Her crew was awarded the US Navy'sMeritorious Unit Commendation ribbon for these operations.Fact|date=June 2008 In addition to this award, her crew members also earned the following US Navy ceremonial certificates during this same deployment:Shellback ,Order of the Ditch (2 occasions),Golden Dragon (2 occasions), andOrder of the Spanish Main .In 1995, she traveled to the Arctic Ocean for civilian scientific research. Finally, in 1996, SSN-684 participated in the very first joint US/Japanese DSRV (Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle) operation.
"Cavalla" was decommissioned on
30 March 1998 and stricken from theNaval Vessel Register on30 March 1998 . Ex-"Cavalla" entered the Nuclear PoweredShip and Submarine Recycling Program inBremerton, Washington , and on17 November 2000 ceased to exist.References
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