A brief history of the Navy's last non-nuclear sub
USS Dolphin (AGSS-555) is the U.S. Navy's oldest operational submarine and-more significant-its only non-nuclear submarine. The "Nickel Boat," so known for her hull number, has outlived many later nuclear-propelled submarines because of her great value as a deep-diving research platform.
In her research role, Dolphin has supported air-submarine laser communications, deep submergence projects, advanced sonars, oceanography, and antisubmarine warfare. The U.S. Navy claims that Dolphin-credited with an operating depth of 3,000 feet-established an unequaled world depth record for operational submarines in November 1968 and made the deepest firing of a torpedo in April 1969, although the precise depths involved have not been released. The Russians cite the ill-fated submarine Komsomolets (K-278)-given the NATO code name "Mike"-as the world's deepest-diving submarine, exceeding 3,300 feet, and having launched torpedoes at a greater depth than did Dolphin. Komsomolets, a fully operational combat submarine, was lost through uncontrollable fires and flooding in the Norwegian Sea on 7 April 1989.
For most of her career Dolphin has operated out of the submarine base at Point Loma, San Diego, California. She is operationally assigned to Submarine Squadron 11; the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command's Systems Center at San Diego provides homeport services and liaison with the scientific community and the Dolphin Project Team.
Former and current crewmembers boast of the many important research efforts of their submarine. But disaster struck Dolphin on 21 May 2002, while operating some 100 nautical miles off San Diego. She suffered a major electrical fire and flooding while on the surface. Only minor injuries were suffered by the 43 on board-41 crewmen and 2 civilian scientists-who were forced to abandon the submarine. The flooding was stopped, the fires were extinguished, and Dolphin was towed back to San Diego. She was rehabilitated at a cost reported at $9 million and returned to service in mid-2005.
Dolphin was completed in 1968 to a highly unusual design: The craft has a constantâ€'diameter pressure hull made of HY-80 steel with an outer diameter of 18 feet and hemispheric caps at both ends. There is a small, stepped sail, with the radar antenna, UHF antenna, and single periscope. An improved rudder design and other features permits maneuvering without forward diving planes but with only stern-mounted planes and rudders. There are minimal penetrations of the pressure hull (e.g., only one access hatch) and she has builtâ€'in safety systems that help to surface the submarine in an emergency. These include a keel that can be released to lighten the submarine in addition to the normal ballast-blowing systems.
The boat has conventional submarine propulsion: two General Motors diesels for surface propulsion (no snorkel is fitted) and an Elliott electric motor with a single shaft for underwater propulsion. Maximum surface speed is rated at 7.5 knots; submerged speed varies with the battery type-10 knots with lead-acid and 15 knots with silver-zinc.
A single experimental torpedo tube was originally fitted to permit testing weapons at great depths (the tube was removed in 1970). Even without the torpedo gear Dolphin is crowded; with a full crew and scientists aboard, mattresses are laid on the deck for all to have a "bunk." The sub's "mess deck" consists of a single booth that seats up to six-officers, sailors, and civilian riders eating together. But the food-by popular acclaim-is considered excellent. And that is no mean feat with the submarine's minute cooking and baking facilities.
The Nickel Boat-unique in many respects-continues to perform important research work almost four decades after she was completed.
Mr. Polmar was on board Dolphin in July 2005, shortly after she rejoined the fleet following her rehabilitation from fire and water damage.
Table 2. Dolphin Characteristics
Builder Portsmouth Naval Shipyard,
Kittery, Maine
Displacement 860 tons standard
950 tons submerged
Length 165 feet overall
Beam 19 5/12 feet
Draft 16 feet
Propulsion 2 diesel engines
(General Motors 12V71); 850
Brake horsepower; 1 electric motor
(Elliott); 1,650 shaft horsepower; 1 shaft
Speed 7.5 knots surface
10 to 15 knots submerged
Operating 3,000 feet
depth
Endurance approx. 24 hours submerged endurance
approx. 14 days at-sea endurance
Personnel 48 (4 officers + 44 enlisted) + 5 scientists
Torpedo tubes 1 (removed)