USS Drum (SSN-677)

USS "Drum" (SSN-677), a "Sturgeon"-class submarine, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for any of various fishes capable of making a drumming noise, best known on the Atlantic coast. The contract to build her was awarded to Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 15 March 1967, and her keel was laid down on 20 August 1968. She was launched on 23 May 1970, sponsored by Mrs. William F. Bringle, wife of Vice Admiral William F. Bringle, commander of the 7th Fleet,and commissioned on 15 April 1972, with Commander James L. Willis in command.

After commissioning, "Drum" conducted initial testing in Puget Sound before arriving at her lifelong homeport of San Diego on 22 May. "Drum" commenced six month of operational tests and fleet training exercises in Puget Sound, Hawaiian, and San Diego operating areas to become a fully operational unit of the Pacific Submarine Fleet. "Drum" returned to Mare Island Naval Shipyard in November for a one month Post Shakedown Availability (PSA).

Following PSA and follow-on operations in Southern California, "Drum" deployed in March 1973, on its first and longest Western Pacific deployment, eight months, returning to San Diego in November.

On July 10, 1974, CDR D. C. Tarquin, USN, relieved CDR Willis. "Drum" began its second deployment to the Western Pacific at the end of the year, visiting Japan, Hong Kong, and the Philippines before returning in May 1975. "Drum" was awarded its first Navy Unit Commendation for her successes during this deployment.

In June 1976, "Drum" departed San Diego for its third Western Pacific deployment, visiting Hong Kong, Japan, the Philippines, and Guam. "Drum" was awarded its Meritorious Unit Commendation for the successes during this deployment and returned from WESTPAC in November 1976. On November 19, 1976, CDR M. D. Bradley, USN, relieved CDR Tarquin as Commanding Officer of "Drum".

1977 began with "Drum" changing homeport to Bremerton, Washington and entering Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for MK-48 torpedo impact testing and a non-refueling overhaul. "Drum" completed the overhaul in April 1978, ahead of schedule and under budget. The next several months were spent conducting operations in Puget Sound, including visits to Seattle, Everett, and Esquimalt, until "Drum" returned to San Diego in July 1978.

From her return to San Diego until April 1979, "Drum" completed the rigorous training, testing, and loadout necessary for deployment. " Drum" deployed to WestPac from May to October 1979. During this deployment, the ship completed a special operation for which it was awarded its second Meritorious Unit Commendation. Additionally, "Drum" made port visits to Guam, Thailand, and the Philippines during the deployment. After returning to San Diego in October 1979, "Drum" engaged in local operations and completed a 2-month PSA at Mare Island. In May 1980, after returning to San Diego, CDR Michael F. Oliver, USN, relieved CDR Bradley. For the next several months, "Drum" operated in her local homeport operating areas before her next WESTPAC deployment in October, which included visits to Guam and the Philippines. This deployment lasted until mid-April 1981. In November 1981, "Drum" departed San Diego for the Western Pacific, visiting Korea, spending Christmas in Japan, and returning home at the beginning of the new year.

"Drum" continued operations in Southern California operating areas, visiting San Francisco before starting the second Selected Restricted Availability in San Diego in the summer of 1982.

Upon completion of the SRA, "Drum" concluded 1982 preparing for her next Western Pacific and Indian Ocean deployment. Shortly after Christmas, "Drum" deployed to WESTPAC, which included operations in the Indian Ocean. During this deployment, "Drum" visited the Philippines, Australia, Diego Garcia, and Japan. "Drum" returned to San Diego in June 1983.

On August 12, 1983, CDR Harold L. Cox, USN, relieved CDR Oliver as Commanding Officer. After another well-deserved standdown period at the end of this deployment, "Drum" participated in Advanced Capability (ADCAP) Mk 48 torpedo testing exercises at the tracking range at Nanoose, British Columbia.

In May, 1984, "Drum" left San Diego for the Western Pacific, stopping in Hawaii for RIMPAC ’84, a multi-national Naval exercise, then continued west with visits to the Philippines, Japan, Guam, and Thailand. "Drum" returned in November 1984.

1985 began with local operations in Southern California operating areas and operations in the Puget Sound including a port visit to Esquimalt, British Columbia. In October 1985, "Drum" changed homeport a second time to Bremerton, Washington, to begin her second and final overhaul at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.

On April 18, 1986, CDR Donald L. Winchell, Jr., USN, relieved CDR Cox, becoming the sixth CO of USS "Drum". The refueling overhaul was completed in November 1987, and "Drum" returned to San Diego to its new squadron, Submarine Squadron ELEVEN.

"Drum" spent most of 1988 in local operations and preparation for her next deployment. After nine months of preparations and inspections since overhaul, "Drum" left San Diego for two months of independent operations, for which "Drum" was awarded the third Meritorious Unit Commendation.

On February 21, 1989, CDR Bruce B. Englehardt, USN, relieved CDR Winchell as CO. In mid May 1989, "Drum" departed on its tenth trip to the Western Pacific, for which "Drum" was awarded the second Navy Unit Commendation. This WESTPAC included visits to Lahaina and Pearl Harbor, and Japan. "Drum" returned in August to San Diego and continued operations in Southern California operating areas for the remainder of the year.

1990 began with an SRA that was completed in March. On 1 April, "Drum" changed administrative commanders to Commander, Submarine Squadron THREE.

"Drum" participated in RIMPAC ’90 in the spring, which included a port call at Lahaina, Maui. After a summer of preparations, "Drum" departed San Diego in September for another deployment to the Western Pacific, during which port calls were made to Guam, Japan, and Singapore. "Drum" was awarded the fourth Meritorious Unit Commendation for operations conducted during this deployment. For "Drum"s outstanding performance in FY 1990, the crew was awarded the Battle Efficiency “E” for Submarine Squadron THREE. "Drum" returned home in March 1991.

In August 1991, "Drum" commenced independent operations and retuned in late September. In October 1991, "Drum" participated in San Francisco’s Fleet Week ’91. For "Drum"s outstanding performance in FY 1991, the crew was awarded the Battle Efficiency “E” for Submarine Squadron THREE, for the second consecutive year. On November 22, 1991, CDR Wayne A. Thornton, USN, relieved CDR Englehardt as DRUM’s eighth CO.

In February 1992, "Drum" departed on deployment to the Western Pacific. Port visits included Pearl Harbor, Japan, Guam, Singapore, and Australia, completing the convert|680|mi|km|-1|sing=on transit of the inner passage of the Great Barrier Reef. During this deployment, the ship was awarded the fifth Meritorious Unit Commendation. "Drum" returned to San Diego in August 1992 and hosted the first ever tour of a U.S. nuclear submarine by senior Russian naval officer and dignitaries.

"Drum" departed on its next deployment two days after Christmas 1993. During this deployment, "Drum" visited Guam, Japan, and New Caledonia.

On August 8, 1994, CDR Steven, C. Hall, relieved CDR Thornton to become "Drum"s ninth Commanding Officer. During "Drum"s final year in service, "Drum" participated in San Francisco’s Fleet Week ’94 and made a port visit to Astoria, Oregon.

On February 13, 1995, "Drum" departed San Diego for the thirteenth deployment to the Western Pacific, which included a visit to Guam after a collision with a container ship occurred while leaving port in Hong Kong. "Drum" returned to San Diego from its last WESTPAC on April 13. CDR Hall was relieved of duty following the collision and on 27 April, CDR Mitchell K. Sauls became "Drum"s tenth and final Commanding Officer. At 1300 hours on 20 May 1995, the inactivation ceremony was held for "Drum" in her homeport of San Diego, CA. In late May 1995, "Drum" departed its homeport of San Diego, California, for the last time, destined for Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard to begin the inactivation process.

"Drum" was decommissioned and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 30 October 1995. Ex-"Drum" is stored at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington awaiting entry into the Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program. The non-profit Mare Island Park Foundation is raising money to return "Drum" to Vallejo, California, as a floating museum. In the FY97 Defense Bill, Congress authorized the transfer of "Drum" to the Vallejo at "no cost to the US Government". Even if money to cover the cost of the transfer is raised, the hulk must have its reactor removed and its hull decontaminated.

References

Based on data from the Naval Vessel Register and http://www.ussdrum.org/