The First Polaris Patrol

On November 15, 1960 USS George Washington (SSBN-598), the US Navy's first ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), departed Charleston, South Carolina, on first fleet ballistic missile patrol with sixteen Polaris submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM).

USS George Washington (SSBN-598)

The Polaris missile program started development in 1956 as the US Navy’s contribution to the United State’s nuclear arsenal and as a replacement for the Regulus missile. While the missile program was in development, the keel for George Washington was laid down in November 1957. George Washington was originally laid down as the attack submarine Scorpion, but she was renamed George Washington during construction and the hull lengthened by the addition of the 130-foot-long ballistic missile section. As a reminder of her origin a plaque was placed inside George Washington's forward escape hatch bearing her original name. (Note: another submarine under construction at the time received the name Scorpion).

George Washington was followed by forty more SSBN’s, built between 1960 and 1966, that formed the backbone of the United Stats' nuclear deterrent.

Emblem Patch from USS George Washington

In 1982, George Washington returned to Pearl Harbor from her last missile patrol. In 1983, her missiles were unloaded at Bangor, Washington to comply with the SALT I treaty. During her 25-year career, the "Georgefish" made 55 deterrent patrols in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

George Washington was decommissioned in 1985 and, prior to disposal, her sail was removed and now resides at the Submarine Force Library and Museum at New London, Connecticut.

Seattle Base Members that served on USS George Washington: William Baker