"The U. S. S. SARGO (SS(N)583) is being commissioned today as the newest in the Navy's growing fleet of nuclear powered submarines. SARGO is the first nuclear powered submarine to be built on the West Coast. Her keel was laid on 21 February 1956 and she was launched on 10 October 1957. She is 267 feet long, displaces 2350 tons and can steam around the world without refueling. She carries a crew of more than 80 officers and men. SARGO is an attack type submarine and is equipped with the newest torpedoes and the most advanced electronic and fire control equipment."
	from Launching Program (courtesy Frank Munroe)

Thanks to www.navsource.org and Darryl L. Baker for use of these photos and descriptions

Click on Pictures to Enlarge!

The view of the USS Sargo's commissioning at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 1 Oct 1958. U.S. Navy Photo #NY9-41279-10-58 Courtesy Darryl L. Baker

Picture shows the commissioning party on the USS Sargo (SSN 583) at Mare Island on 1 Oct 1958.  (Left to Right) RADM George L. Russell, 12th Naval District - Commissioning Officer; VADM Maurice E. Curtis, Commander Western Sea Frontier - Speaker; CDR Daniel P. Brooks, Commanding Officer USS Sargo; Mrs. Frank T. Watkins - Sponsor; RADM Frank T. Watkins, 13th Naval District; RADM E.E. Yeomans, Commander Navy Post Graduate School; RADM E.W. Grenfell, Commander, Submarine Force Pacific Fleet; CAPT Leo G. May, Acting Shipyard Commander; CDR H.W. Buckingham, Chaplain; and LCDR A.F. Mendosa, Chaplain. U.S. Navy Photo #NY9-41268-10-58 Courtesy Darryl L. Baker

USS Sargo around the time of her commissioning.  In general form she resembles the diesel-electric Tang (SS 563)class submarine; nuclear submarines did assume their modern fish like hull form until construction of the Skipjack (SSN 585) class.  The narrow line extending along Sargo's deck from bow to stern is a safety track installed as standard equipment on submarines after seven men were lost from Tusk (SS 426) while rescuing the crew of Cochino (SS 345) in Arctic waters.  When going on deck in heavy weather, crewmen can attach a safety line to themeselves and clip the other end into the safety track.  They can move freely and remain safe against mishap. Courtesy Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret Photo Courtesy DANFS

Commissioning Program Program Courtesy Sargo Frank Munroe	Commissioning Party Program Program Courtesy Sargo Frank Munroe	Newspaper Article Courtesy Sargo Association

Members of the Commissioning Crew
Earl L. Gayle MMC(SS) Photo Courtesy Ellie Sanchez	Floyd L. Laughrun CS1(SS) Photo Courtesy Ellie Sanchez	ENS Herbert E. Menzel, Jr. Photo Courtesy Ellie Sanchez
LeRoy Ingles TMC(SS) - COB Photo Courtesy Ellie Sanchez	Phillip S. Thompson EN1(SS) Photo Courtesy Ellie Sanchez	William J. Andrew EN2(SS) Photo Courtesy Ellie Sanchez

Newpaper Clippings - Click on the Photos to read the clippings
News clippings Courtesy Ellie Sanchez