USS Albacore (AGSS-569)

USS Albacore off the coast of Rhode Island
History
United States
Name	Albacore
Namesake	Albacore
Ordered	24 November 1950
Builder	Portsmouth Naval Shipyard of Kittery, Maine
Laid down	15 March 1952
Launched	1 August 1953
Sponsored by	Mrs. J. E. Jowers, the widow of Chief Motor Machinist's Mate Arthur L. Stanton, lost with the second Albacore (SS-218)
Commissioned	6 December 1953
Decommissioned	9 December 1972
Stricken	1 May 1980
Motto	Praenuntius Futuri ("Forerunner of the Future")
Status	Donated as a museum and memorial in Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Badge
General characteristics - Final Phase 4 Configuration
Displacement	1606.62 tons surface[1] 1823.51 tons submerged[1]
Length	205 ft 4.75 in (62.6047 m)[1] Length between perpendiculars 200 ft 0 in (60.96 m)[1]
Beam	27 ft 3.75 in (8.3249 m)[1]
Draft	Forward 19 ft 1 in (5.82 m)[1] Aft 22 ft 3 in (6.78 m)[1]
Propulsion	Two 7,500 shp, counter-rotating electric motors, Two 1,000 bhp/817 kW diesel/electric generators[1]
Speed	Surfaced: 25 knots Submerged: 33 knots[3]
Range	Varied with configuration
Complement	5 officers, 49 men
Armament	None[2]

USS Albacore (AGSS-569) is a unique research submarine that pioneered the American version of the teardrop hull form (sometimes referred to as an "Albacore hull") of modern submarines. The revolutionary design was derived from extensive hydrodynamic and wind tunnel testing, with an emphasis on underwater speed and maneuverability.^[4] She was the third vessel of the United States Navy to be named for the albacore.

Her keel was laid down on 15 March 1952 by the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard of Kittery, Maine.^[5] She was launched on 1 August 1953, sponsored by Mrs. J. E. Jowers, the widow of Chief Motor Machinist's Mate Arthur L. Stanton, lost with the second Albacore (SS-218),^[6][7] and commissioned on 6 December 1953 with Lieutenant Commander Kenneth C. Gummerson in command.^[8][9]

The effectiveness of submarines in World War II convinced both the Soviet Navy and the United States Navy that undersea warfare would play an even more important role in coming conflicts and dictated development of superior submarines. The advent of nuclear power nourished the hope that such warships could be produced. The effort to achieve this goal involved the development of a nuclear propulsion system and the design of a streamlined submarine hull capable of optimum submerged performance.