USS Trepang (SSN-674)

USS "Trepang" (SSN-674), a "Sturgeon"-class submarine, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for the trepang, a marine animal having a long, tough, muscular body, sometimes called a 'sea slug' or a 'sea cucumber', found on the coral reefs.

The contract to build "Trepang" was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut on 15 July 1966 and her keel was laid down on 28 October 1967. She was launched on 27 September 1969 sponsored by Mrs. Melvin R. Laird, and commissioned on 14 August 1970, with Commander Dean R. Sackett, Jr., in command.

1971

Following local operations out of New London, Connecticut, "Trepang" proceeded to the Arctic early in 1971. From 22 February to 22 March, the nuclear attack submarine operated beneath the northern ice cap, conducting extensive tests to provide data for her weapons systems as well as carrying out scientific experiments concerning the movement, composition, and geological history of the cap itself.

After returning to New London via Faslane, Scotland, "Trepang" was soon deployed to the warmer climes of the Caribbean Sea, departing from her home port on 22 April and subsequently making port at Frederiksted, St. Croix, Virgin Islands, for weapons systems acceptance and evaluation trials. Back in New England waters for local operations, "Trepang" again headed south for further tests. Later in the year, in November, the submarine conducted independent operations in the North Atlantic.

1972

Following her return to her homeport on 5 February 1972, she subsequently underwent standdown and upkeep, as well as type training and equipment grooming in local operating areas. During this period, "Trepang" again conducted a second extended deployment into the northern Atlantic from 24 July to 25 September 1972, returning to New London via Halifax, Nova Scotia. For the remainder of the year, "Trepang" operated off the East Coast between New London and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

1973

An interim four-week drydocking period at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard preceded the ship's 1973 operations, before the attack submarine headed south for weapons tests off the Florida coast. Completing a four-week upkeep period on 22 April, the ship completed a Nuclear Technical Proficiency Inspection before returning to New London, where she completed an Operational Reactor Safeguards Examination on 4 May.

On 8 June, "Trepang" departed New London for a six-month deployment with the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea. She participated in several special operations with this Fleet during the increased tension brought on by the Yom Kippur War in the Middle East in October 1973. The attack submarine returned to her home port at the end of November 1973 for upkeep and standdown leave period.

1974

"Trepang" got underway on 15 February 1974 for a special operation which lasted through 9 April. The ship then spent three days at Holy Loch, Scotland, before sailing for New London. She continued local operations and training off the East Coast through her change of home port on 1 October 1974, when the submarine was assigned to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. She spent the remainder of the year 1974 in drydock in annual overhaul.

1975

"Trepang" was assigned to Submarine Squadron 10 during March 1975. She spent the period from April to August completing the overhaul and carrying out crew training and recertification. Following sea trials in late October, "Trepang" returned to New London on 7 November for an intensive post-overhaul upkeep alongside submarine tender
"Fulton" (AS-11).

Departing New London on 1 December, "Trepang" conducted post-overhaul weapons systems acceptance testing at Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, and five days of acoustic trials off Frederiksted, St. Croix, Virgin Islands, before departing St. Croix on 17 December and returning to New London on 22 December.

1976

"Trepang" spent the early part of the year 1976 preparing for an extended cruise. She deployed to the Mediterranean Sea from June to November, operating with the Sixth Fleet. She returned to New London upon conclusion of the deployment and observed post deployment standdown into 1977.

1977

In mid-January 1977, "Trepang" participated in Exercise "CARIBEX 77." The spring was devoted to individual ship exercises which included a Nuclear Technical Proficiency Inspection (NTPI), a Mk-48 Torpedo Proficiency Inspection, and an Operational Readiness Inspection, all of which were completed successfully. An extensive refit period, which included drydocking, took place in May and early June. Midshipman orientation cruises followed; and, in September, "Trepang" conducted pre-deployment work-up and certification. The nuclear attack submarine then engaged in an Atlantic training mission from mid-October to mid-December with the ship returning to Groton in time for Christmas.

1978

January 1978 found "Trepang" finishing a post-deployment standdown. The remainder of January, February, and March were devoted to type training and participation in NATO Exercise "Safepass." "Trepang" spent the summer working up for a scheduled Mediterranean deployment. The deployment was subsequently cancelled to permit the ship's participation in a special CNO project. The remaining months of 1978 were spent in the evaluation of project-associated equipment, with alternate periods at sea followed by periods in port devoted to equipment maintenance. "Trepang" departed Groton on 27 November to conclude the year at sea while continuing to participate in the special project.

1979 through 1995

During the years of roughly 1988 to about 1993, the USS "Trepang" enjoyed a long stay in dry-dock at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine, for an overhaul. It then moved to its new home port of Charleston, South Carolina. On its trip from Portsmouth to Charleston the USS "Trepang" went under the Perfect Storm.

During the couple of years to follow, it did many "fast attack" drill missions as well as a Mediterranean run which held up in La Maddalena, Italy and Haifa, Israel for many weeks.

Significant events occurring during the Med Cruise include the following:

*USS "Trepang" was used in the NATO operations off Bosnia-Herzegovina.
*USS "Trepang" was the first US submarine in history to perform peacetime operations with a German U Boat U-21.
*USS "Trepang" was responsible for a secret mission tailing a then-infamous drug cartel ship.
*USS "Trepang" conducted training missions with SEAL Team 6.

During these years, the USS "Bluefish" was the "Trepang's" "sister submarine"; the two were often docked near one another.

1996

The United States Navy confirms that "Trepang" was operating off the coast of Long Island, New York during the evening of 17 July 1996, but had nothing to do with the loss of TWA Flight 800.

1997 and 1998

USS "Trepang" completes her final 6 month deployment in December 1997, having left for the Mediterranean Sea in June of that year.

In late 1998, USS "Trepang" circumnavigated the world in order to use up as much fuel as possible prior to decommissioning in Bremerton, WA.

1999 through 2000

"Trepang" was decommissioned on 1 June 1999 and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 1 June 1999. Ex-"Trepang" entered the Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program in Bremerton, Washington, on 4 January 1999, and on 7 April 2000 ceased to exist. [http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/SSN674.htm US Naval Vessel Register]

References

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/t8/trepang-ii.htm Trepang (SSN-674) entry at Dictionary of American Fighting Ships]