1948 - USS Cusk Year by Year History

Crewmembers, Pictures and Memorabilia

A new captain, a new patch, and a missile explodes on deck during a launch

In 1948, the Cusk was redesignated from SS-348 to SSG-348 which reflected her new missile launching capability.  She continued launching missiles and testing her missile guidance systems, and she was joined in the fleet by two other missile submarines, the USS Tunny (SSG-282 ) and the USS Carbonero (SSG-337).  On July 7,1948 during what should have been a routine launch of a Loon, the missile exploded while still on the launch ramp and set fire to the Cusk.  As the smoke cleared, the Cusk was no where to be seen and witnesses on the surface thought that she had been sunk by the explosion.  Fortunately, Captain Fred Clarke had ordered an immediate dive when the explosion occurred which doused the flames and saved the boat and her crew.  Pictures below show various stages of the explosion including the smoky aftermath.

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Click here to see the Cusk crewlist from 1948

Memorabilia and pictures from 1948 :

First Missile Patch - 1948 Note how the new patch combined the original ship's patch with the Loon Missile. (Photo courtesy of Tom Roseland)	Captain Fred Clarke takes command (Photo courtesy of Nick Spark and the movie, "Regulus, the First Nuclear Missile Submarines" )		Early publicity photo of the world's first missile submarine (Photo courtesy of Nick Spark and the movie, "Regulus, the First Nuclear Missile Submarines" )
Change of command ceremonies (Photo courtesy of Nick Spark and the movie, "Regulus, the First Nuclear Missile Submarines" )	The new captain inspects his crew (Photo courtesy of Nick Spark and the movie, "Regulus, the First Nuclear Missile Submarines" )		All systems go - ready for launch (Photo courtesy of Nick Spark and the movie, "Regulus, the First Nuclear Missile Submarines" )
Missile explodes on deck (Photo courtesy of Nick Spark and his movie, "Regulus, the First Nuclear Missile Submarines" )	Missile Explosion (Photo courtesy of Nick Spark and his movie, "Regulus, the First Nuclear Missile Submarines" )		Missile Explosion (Photo courtesy of Nick Spark and his movie, "Regulus, the First Nuclear Missile Submarines" )
Aftermath of the Explosion It was thought that the Cusk had been sunk, but the quick thinking Captain Clarke had submerged the Cusk to put out the fire. (Photo courtesy of Nick Spark and this movie, "Regulus, the First Nuclear Missile Submarines" )		SSG-348 The Cusk is redesignated SSG-348 in 1948 for her missile capabilities.  A new ship's patch is created which was later modified to add the "G" after the SS. (Photo courtesy of Tom Roseland)

Crewmembers who came aboard the Cusk in 1948:

If you have any information, pictures, history, or crewmember names/information from the Cusk in 1948 (or any year), please contact the Cusk Webmaster.  Thanks!