The USS Cusk made history as the world's first missile submarine on July 25, 1947 when she successfully launched a Navy "Loon" missile near Point Mugu, California.  With that launch, the Cusk became the forerunner of all ballistic and cruise missile carrying submarines.  The Loon was essentially a recycled German V1 "Buzz Bomb" from World War II.  A few years later, the Cusk again made history when she launched another Loon and then submerged and tracked it for 105 miles.

Welcome to the homepage of the USS Cusk (SS-348).  This webpage contains the history of this famous submarine in pictures, sounds, videos, documents, stories and memorabilia from her 24 years of service.  Those of us who sailed this great ship are very proud to share it all with you.  We hope you enjoy your visit, and that you learn something interesting about the world's first missile submarine.

CLICK HERE TO HEAR AN ACTUAL CUSK DIVE!

RECORDED JANUARY 18, 1969 ON YANKEE STATION OFF THE COAST OF NORTH VIETNAM

A salute to the officers and crew of the USS San Juan (SSN-571)!  Finest boat, best crew, and best chow of any boat in the Navy.  Thanks for the great hospitality!

USS San Juan (SSN-751), a Los Angeles-class submarine, was the third ship of the United States Navy to be named for San Juan, Puerto Rico. The contract to build her was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut on 30 November 1982 and her keel was laid down on 9 August 1985. She was launched on 6 December 1986 sponsored by Mrs. Sherrill Hernandez, and commissioned on 6 August 1988, with Commander Charles Young in command.

San Juan was the first Los Angeles class (688-class) submarine to receive a number of significant improvements to the class's basic design, creating the 688I (for "improved 688"). San Juan and all following submarines in her class are quieter, incorporate an advanced AN/BSY-1 "busy one" combat control system/sonar suite, and have dedicated tubes for vertical launch of the Tomahawk cruise missile. The externally visible changes are also significant, as San Juan had her forward diving planes moved from the sail to the bow and made retractable. Together, the retractable bow planes, strengthening of the sail, and installation of additional depth control and support systems make it possible for San Juan to break through polar and near-polar ice as a part of 'normal' ship operations.

Some memorable pictures of Yokosuka from 1967!

  Click here to see how the USS Cusk (SS-348) sank the USS Constellation (CV64)

In memory of Glenn Ford, May 1, 1916 to August 30, 2006

Our favorite movie, "The Flying Missile" was made about the Cusk in 1950.  It is part docudrama and part "McHale's Navy"

with a little romance and personal crisis thrown in.  It stars Glenn Ford playing a fictitious Commander Talbot who was determined to

show that missiles could be launched from submarines.  Rather than show the U.S. Navy's real enthusiasm for trying to launch missiles

from submarines, the movie portrays the Cusk's captain as a renegade determined to install a missile and launcher through theft and

deception.  Of course, all comes out well in the end as a sharp admiral knew all along what was going on and had allowed some of

Commander Talbot's shenanigans to proceed uninterrupted.

In the end, Commander Talbot recovers from his hysterical paralysis, returns to command of the Cusk (renamed in the movie), and drives

off into the sunset with his girl.  The movie uses real footage from several of the Cusk's actual missile launches and much of it was shot

on location at, and off-shore of the Point Mugu, California site where the Cusk made her famous launches.

Actual Cusk artifacts may be viewed firsthand in a permanent display case located in the "Brevard Veteran's Memorial Center and Military Museum" on Merritt Island, Florida. 

We welcome your comments, and especially your historical contributions if you have any to share or donate.  If you are a former crewmember, we especially anxious to hear from you so please contact us at your earliest convenience.  Many or your shipmates have been looking for you and an email to the Cusk Webmaster (link below) will put you in touch with them.

Navy Hymn words for submariners: Lord God, our power evermore, Whose arm doth reach the ocean floor, Dive with our men beneath the sea; Traverse the depths protectively. O hear us when we pray, and keep Them safe from peril in the deep.

Last known picture of the USS Cusk (Click picture to see its full size)

The Cusk is shown in mothballs at Mare Island.  This picture was taken 30 April 1971, two years

after her decommissioning and one year before she was sold for scrap.  Other boats shown to the

to right of the Cusk are the USS Rock (SS-274), USS Bashaw (SS-241), USS Spinax (SSR-489),

USS Pomodon (SS-486), USS Medregal (SS-480), and USS Diodon (SS-349)

(Photo courtesy of NavSource.org website)

Ask a former crewmember about the Cusk and the answer you will most often hear will be, "She was a good boat, probably the best I ever sailed."

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