ETHAN ALLEN (SSBN 608) is the second ship of the Fleet to be named in honor of Vermont's champion of independence and Revolutionary War leader of the Green Mountain Boys Ethan Allen.
The first ETHAN ALLEN was a barked rigged wooden ship built at Boston, Massachusetts in 1859. She was purchased by the Navy on 23 August 1861 and fitted for naval service in the Boston Navy Yard with acting volunteer Lieutenant William B. Eaton in command. She had an overall length of 153 feet 6 inches; extreme beam of 35 feet 1 inch; depth of hold, 14 feet; displacement, 556 tons; mean draft, 13 feet; speed of 12 knots; and a complement of ninety officers and men. She was armed with six 32-pounders.
The ETHAN ALLEN was assigned to duty in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico where she was actively employed from 27 October 1861 to 30 March 1863 at which time she sailed from St Joseph's Bay, Florida for the Boston Navy Yard. During this tour of duty she captured eight prizes and destroyed extensive and valuable salt works along the Florida coast.
The ETHAN ALLEN arrived at the Boston Navy Yard on 17 May 1863 and departed on 22 June. She cruised along the New England coast for the protection of commerce and the fishing industry until 26 October and then returned to Boston. She sailed again on 9 November to join the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
She arrived oft Port Royal, South Carolina, on 26 November and was employed in the coastal waters of that region until 25 May 1865 when she set out for the Navy Yard at Portsmouth, New Hampshire arriving there on 5th June. While cruising oft Port Royal, the ETHAN ALLEN was diverted from her regular duties from 25 January to 14 March 1864, for use as a practice and Instruction ship for the Ensigns of the squadron at Port Royal.
The ETHAN ALLEN was decommissioned at the Portsmouth, New Hampshire Navy Yard on 26 June 1865 and sold at public auction on 29 July to E. Snow for $20,000.
USS ETHAN ALLEN (SSBN 608), the second ship of the fleet to bear the name of the Revolutionary War hero and leader of the Green Mountain Boys, was constructed by the Electric Boat Division, General Dynamics Corporation, at Groton, Connecticut Authorized in the 1959 shipbuilding program, the ship's keel was laid on 14 September 1959.
ETHAN ALLEN, the lead ship of a new class of Fleet Ballistic Missile submarines, displaced more than 7,900 tons submerged. ETHAN ALLEN was also the first Polaris missile firing submarine designed from the keel up for this vital mission, and the first capable of employing the longer range, second generation Polaris missile.
Completed at a rapid pace, ETHAN ALLEN was launched on 22 November 1960 by her sponsor, Mrs. Robert H. Hopkins, great-great-great granddaughter of Colonel Ethan Allen. The ship was commissioned on 8 August 1961 with Captain Paul Lindsay Lacy, Jr., USN, as Commanding Officer Blue Crew, and Commander William Wohlson Behrens, Jr., USN, as Commanding Officer Gold Crew. The ship left the building yard on 9 September 1961 for shakedown operations, navigation training and the launching of Polaris missiles on the Atlantic missile test range.
In October 1961, ETHAN ALLEN commenced shakedown and operational tests on the Cape Canaveral missile range. The giant nuclear submarine was 90 feet below the surface on 23 October 1961 when she successfully fired the advanced A-2 version of the POLARIS ballistic missile from the ocean's depths for the first time. The two-stage POLARIS broke the surface, ignited in the air, and roared down the Atlantic missile range.
On 27 October, three more launchings were conducted near Grand Bahamas Island, about 300 miles southeast of Cape Canaveral. The rockets rode columns of compressed air to the surface at 9:02 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and Noon. The first-stage engines ignited above the water, and the second stages fired a minute later to propel the nose cones more than 1,500 miles to a target area near the West Indies island of Antigua.
Following shakedown, ETHAN ALLEN began its Post Shakedown Availability at the building yard in Groton, Connecticut, on 20 December 1961, after which she joined the rapidly growing fleet of Fleet Ballistic Missile submarines employed so significantly in the Nation's defense.
During the period 3 March - 5 May, 1962 the ETHAN ALLEN successfully conducted a complete Polaris nuclear weapons system test in the Christmas Island test area of the Pacific, thus having the distinction of firing the first nuclear ballistic missile ever detonated by the United States.
Note: USS CARBONERO participated in the 1962 Nuclear Tests in the Central Pacific off Christmas Island and Johnston Island entitled "Operation Dominic." She specifically was on hand for the detonation of a warhead from a Polaris missile fired from the USS ETHAN ALLEN (SSBN-608). CARBONERO and the USS MEDREGAL (SS-480) were at a range of about 30 miles from the detonation.
Following this successful test, the ETHAN ALLEN returned to the Naval Weapons Annex, Naval Ammunition Depot, Charleston, South Carolina, for a brief upkeep, after which she was deployed with the long range second generation missile on a nuclear Deterrent Patrol.
The Deterrent Patrol was followed by an upkeep period alongside a submarine tender at the advance replenishment anchorage in Holy Loch, Scotland, establishing the cycle of patrols and refits which characterized the ship's subsequent operations. Commander Behrens was relieved by Commander Carlos Dew, Jr., USN, as Commanding Officer Gold Crew on 5 May 1963. In October 1963, Captain Lacy was awarded a Navy Commendation Medal for meritorious achievement in conducting the Polaris nuclear weapons system test in the Pacific.
Captain Lacy was relieved by Commander Ernest R Barrett, USN, as Commanding Office Blue Crew on 28 May 1964 On 1 July 1964, the ETHAN ALLEN was awarded the COMSUBLANT Battle Efficiency Award for (SSB(N) 608) Class submarines for fiscal year 1964. Continuing its cycle of patrol operations as a unit of Submarine Squadron FOURTEEN, ETHAN ALLEN completed its eighteenth successful Deterrent Patrol in May 1966. At this time, after almost four years of continuous deployment, the ETHAN ALLEN returned to the United States where she was scheduled to begin a complete overhaul at Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, Newport News, Virginia.
Captain E B. Barrett relieved Commander Dew on 16 May 1966 and took command of the combined overhaul crew which had been assisting in the refueling of the nuclear reactor, overhaul of all existing systems, and installation of the latest new equipment available.
During 1967, the USS ETHAN ALLEN, Captain E. B. Barrett, USN, Commanding, completed its extensive overhaul begun 16 May 1967 at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company. The propulsion plant was reassembled, groomed and tested, and all systems made ready for attaining initial Criticality on the newly installed reactor core. The Navigation System was updated with the installation of the Mark II SINS System and its support equipment. The torpedo Weapons System was given as ASTOR capability and several systems were modified in accordance with a Submarine Safety (*SUB SAFE*) work package.
The interior of the ship was completely renovated. The removal of the gyrostablizer and station keeping anchor equipment, allowed improved habitability and more storage for spare parts stowed aboard ship. During the early months of the year, new officers and enlisted men reported aboard to bring the crew strength back to the level required to maintain two crews once the overhaul was complete. The entire crew underwent an intensive training program to prepare it to take the ship to sea once again.
On 19 August, the new reactor core was taken critical for the first time. This event heralded the beginning of an extensive testing period throughout the ship, to insure that all systems were operating properly. At the same time, personnel training shifted its emphasis from the textbook to the operating phase, as systems were turned back to the ship and operated completely by the crew.
Immediately following a Crew Readiness Certification Inspection by Commander Submarine Flotilla SIX, the ETHAN ALLEN conducted a "Fast Cruise" training and then went to sea on 14 October, underway on her own power for the first time in 17 months. The next seven days, comprising the first two of three sea trials, were spent in the Virginia Capes and Narrabay Operating Areas, conducting at-sea testing of navigation and engineering Systems. These sea trials were successfully completed and the ship returned to Newport News on 21 October.
The ETHAN ALLEN returned to the VACAPES OPAREA on 1 November to conduct the third scheduled sea trial. These trials were completed satisfactorily on 7 November, and the ship returned to the shipyard to pick up the INSURV Team which would assist in the last step of the overhaul. The INSURV trials were successfully conducted during the period 8-10 November.
On 16 November the Blue and Gold crews were reformed. Captain E. R.Barrett, USN, continued in command of the Blue Crew, while Commander R. L Hart, USN, relieved Captain Barrett of command of the new separate Gold Crew. The Gold Crew moved to New London while the Blue Crew completed preparations for the impending shakedown cruises. On 20 November the ETHAN ALLEN was "RFS", departed the shipyard, depermed and commenced shakedown operations.
During the period 23 November - 1 December, Navigation Training and CINCLANT Command Post Exercises were conducted. On 1 December, ETHAN ALLEN arrived at Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, and began preparations for her Weapons System Accuracy Tests. These tests were completed at St Croix on 10 December and the ship returned to Roosevelt Roads for crew exchange.
On 11 December at Roosevelt Roads, Commander Hart and Gold Crew relieved Captain Barrett and Blue Crew, to continue shakedown operations. The ship departed Puerto Rico on 12 December for Navigation Training and a Command Post Exercise, arriving in Charleston, South Carolina on 23 December. The ship spent Christmas alongside Pier Bravo at the Charleston Naval Weapons Station while instrumented test missiles were loaded for Polaris Demonstration and Shakedown Operations (DASO). The Weapons Department of both the Blue and Gold crews worked around the clock loading the missiles and conducting missile checkouts until the ship departed 27 December for the one day transit, to Cape Canaveral, Florida. ETHAN ALLEN spent the remaining days of the year preparing for the A2 DASO Missile firing to following in January 1968.
January 1,1968 found the ETHAN ALLEN, commanded by Commander R. L Hart (Gold Crew), at Cape Canaveral, Florida, continuing Demonstration and Shakedown Operations (DAS), including a successful submerged launch of a Polaris A-2 missile.
On 11 January Captain E. R. Barrett and the Blue Crew relieved Commander Hart and the Gold Crew in whole. The Blue Crew then commenced their portion of DASO while the Gold Crew returned to New London, Connecticut, to assume off-crew status. Following the Blue Crew DASO, the ETHAN ALLEN transited to Charleston, South Carolina where Captain Barrett and crew were relieved In whole by Commander Hart and crew on 3 February.
During the period 4 February - 6 February, the ETHAN ALLEN conducted torpedo firings in the Charleston OP-AREAS followed by a three day transit to Exuma Sound, Bahamas Islands. Here sound trials were conducted during the period 11 February - 14 February. Upon completion of sound trials, the ETHAN ALLEN transited to Norfolk, Virginia. On 21 February Captain Barrett and crew relieved Commander Hart and crew in whole.
The 19th Deterrent Patrol was conducted by the Blue Crew of the ETHAN ALLEN during the period 28 March -20 May 1968. Following this patrol the ETHAN ALLEN came to a new home port at Rota, Spain. On 23 May, Commander Hart and crew relieved Captain Barrett and crew in whole. Captain E R. Barrett was formally relieved by Commander R. E. Chidley as Commanding Officer, USS ETHAN ALLEN (SSB[N] 608) BLUE) on 31 July. Following the Gold Crew patrol, Commander Chidley and crew relieved Commander Hart and crew in whole on 13 August at Rota, Spain.
During the period 14 August - 3 November, the Blue Crew completed their refit and 21st Deterrent Patrol followed by a successful Operational Readiness Test (ORT). On 4 November Commander Hart and crew relieved Commander Chidley and crew in whole to begin preparations for the 22nd Deterrent Patrol.
From the beginning of 1969 until 24 January, the ETHAN ALLEN was completing a Deterrent Patrol, her 22nd, under the command of Commander R. L Hart (Gold Crew). Commander Hart and crew took the ETHAN ALLEN to Lisbon, Portugal, for a goodwill visit, the first port call made by any SSB(N). This occurred between 2 May and 6 May. Afterwards the ETHAN ALLEN returned to Rota, Spain, to complete her refit and conduct the 24th Deterrent Patrol, which ended on 31 July During this time, on 18-19 May, the Gold Crew passed the annual NPEB Inspection.
On 1 August 1969, Commander Chidley and crew relieved Commander Hart and crew in whole. At this ceremony Commander Chidley accepted, on behalf of both the Blue and Gold crews, a Meritorious Unit Commendation. This was awarded to the USS ETHAN ALLEN for meritorious achievement during a period in 1968. From 2 August until 31 October, the Blue Crew was involved in its successful completion of the NTPI Inspection (13-14 August), and in refit and patrol duties. From 1 November 1969 until 28 January 1970, the Gold Crew was involved in its successful completion of an NTPI Inspection (6-7 November) and in refit and patrol duties.
From the beginning of the New Year until 26 January 1971, the Gold Crew under the command of Commander R. L Hart, was completing Patrol 30. On 26 February 1971, Commander R. L Hart, USN was relieved as Commander Officer of the Gold Crew by Commander D. J. Conley, USN. Off-crew Commander R. E. Chidley was relieved by Lieutenant Commander A. Anckonie, Ill, on 31 May 1971. Lieutenant Commander Anckonie was relieved as Commanding Office on 7 July 1971 by Commander T. R. Fox and resumed his duties as Executive Officer.
Commencing 31 July 1971 the Blue Crew conducted their refit alongside the USS HOLLAND (AS-32), and after successfully completing NTPI, departed on Patrol 33 on 26 August 1971.
From the beginning of the New Year until 21 January 1972 the Gold Crew, under the command of Commander D. J. Conley, was completing Patrol 34.
Upon completion of Deterrent Patrol 36, ETHAN ALLEN and the Gold Crew returned to Groton, Connecticut on 12 July 1972. During a brief stay at the U. S. Naval Submarine Base, Groton, Connecticut, the Gold Crew successfully passed their
ORSE. The ship and its now consolidated crew under the Command of Commander D. J. Conley, began the transit to Bremerton, Washington via the Panama Canal. During this transit operational stops were made at Charleston, S.C. and Port Everglades, Florida. The ship arrived at Bremerton, Washington on 6 September 1972 to begin a scheduled 13-month second overhaul at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard at Bremerton.Throughout the year 1972 the ETHAN ALLEN was in overhaul at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. Her consolidated crew, under the Command of Commander D. J. Conley, had begun the scheduled 13-month second overhaul on 6 September 1972, at an estimated cost of forty million dollars. Commander D.S. Gorham, prospective Commanding Officer, arrived 19 June 1972 pending his assumption of duties as Commanding Officer of the Gold Crew upon completion of overhaul. On 23 November 1973 the ship's home port officially was changed from Bremerton, Washington to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
From the beginning of the New Year until 14 March 1974, the consolidated crew, under the command of Commander D. J. Conley, was completing the second overhaul. Crew Certification Phase 2 was completed on 7 January 1974, and Fast Cruise was conducted from 17 January - 22 January 1974.
First sea trials were conducted from 25 January 1974 to 1 February 1974, and second sea trials from 1 February 1974 to 6 February 1974. Final sea trials were conducted 12 February 1974 to 27 February 1974.
The second overhaul was completed on 14 March 1974 and on 15
March 1974 Commander D.S. Gorham assumed command of the Gold Crew and departed Bremerton for Pearl Harbor with his crew for a one month rest and rehabilitation period followed by a 3-month training period.On 15 March 1974 the Blue Crew commenced a post overhaul Shakedown period, which included an operational visit to Mare Island Naval Shipyard from 11 April 1974 to 17 April 1974. The Blue Crew conducted acoustic trials at Can Inlet, Washington, from 27 April 1974 to 3 May 1974. The ship departed the Puget Sound area on 22 May 1974 enroute to San Diego. The ship departed San Diego on 6 June 1974 enroute to Cape Canaveral, Florida via the Panama Canal on 16 June 1974, arriving Cape Canaveral for DASO from 21 June 1974 to 6 July 1974. The Blue Crew successfully passed a NWAI conducted 7-9 July 1974 prior to conducting a 3-day turnover period resulting in a exchange-of-command to the Gold Crew on 13 July 1974.
After exchange-of-command, the Gold Crew held one day of fast cruise and got underway on independent exercises, returning to Cape Canaveral, Florida on 24 July 1974. On 25 July 1974 the Gold Crew commenced DASO. Completion of these operations concluded on 10 August 1974. The following day the ship began transit to Naval Weapons Annex, Charleston, S.C., arriving 12 August 1974. The Gold Crew successfully completed a NWAI on 13-14 August 1974 and commenced a 14-day upkeep alongside the USS HUNLEY (AS-31).
On 29 August 1974 the ETHAN ALLEN commenced transiting to Pearl Harbor via the Panama Canal and the Equator, arriving in Pearl Harbor on 22 September 1974. The Gold Crew then conducted a 6-day upkeep period at Subase Pearl Harbor and was underway again on 30 September 1974.
After a 3-day turnover period, exchange-of-command to the Blue Crew was held on 9 October 1974. After the exchange-of-command, the Blue Crew conducted a refit in Pearl Harbor from 9 October 1974 to 12 November 1974, which included emergency drydocking at Pearl Harbor Shipyard to replace the diesel engine blower. The Blue Crew departed Pearl Harbor on 13 November 1974 enroute to Guam and Patrol 37.
January 1975 found the ETHAN ALLEN operating out of her new home port, Apra Harbor, Guam. On 10-11 January the Blue Crew successfully passed an NTPI. On 11-12 April the Gold Crew successfully passed a combined NTPI and Technical Standardization Inspection (TSI). On 20-24 October the Gold Crew successfully passed on ORSE and, to round out the year, the Blue Crew successfully passed an NTPI on 2-3 November. During 1975 the ETHAN ALLEN completed four patrols and its 42nd since commissioning.
1976 found Commander J. C. Vick in command of the Blue Crew and Commander D. S. Gorham in command of the Gold Crew. Both crews successfully passed an ORSE and NTPI during the year.
The ETHAN ALLEN was awarded First Place in the Navy Awards for excellence in the Small Mess Afloat category. During 1976 the ETHAN ALLEN completed four patrols and its 44th since commissioning.
Commander Vick was in command during all of 1977. Commander Gorham was relieved by Commander M. S. Braden at a Change of Command Ceremony at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii 17 January 1977. Both crews successfully passed an ORSE and NTPI during the year. The ETHAN ALLEN was awarded Third Place in the Navy Awards for excellence in the Small Mess Afloat category. During 1977 the ETHAN ALLEN completed four patrols and its 48th since commissioning.
Commander Vick and Commander Braden were in command during 1978. Both crews successfully passed an ORSE and NTPI during the year. During 1978 the ETHAN ALLEN completed three patrols and its 51st since commissioning.
Commander Vick was relieved of command of the Blue Crew by Commander C T. Weaver on 11 January 1979. Commander Braden was relieved of command of the Gold Crew by Commander A. J. Holifield on 2 November. Both crews successfully passed an ORSE and NTPI during the year. During 1979 the ETHAN ALLEN completed four patrols for a total of 55 since commissioning.
January 1979 found the ETHAN ALLEN still operating out of Guam. By June she had completed two patrols for a total of 57 since commissioning. As of June 1979 the ETHAN ALLEN had made more Deterrent Patrols (57) than any other FBM submarine.
On 5 June at the Naval Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, an historical event in the career of the USS ETHAN ALLEN SSB(N) 608 took place. Her two crews were consolidated and a change of command ceremony took place in which Commander A. J. Holifield assumed command of the consolidated crews and the ship which was still an operational unit under the command of Commander Submarine Force Pacific.
After 19 years and 57 patrols the ETHAN ALLEN had completed her role as a member of the Nation's Strategic Deterrent Force and was assigned a new mission as an SSN.