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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

Click here to see the Cusk crewlist from 1948

Cusk memorabilia and crew pictures from 1948 (Click on any item to see its full size):


The Cusk is redesignated "SSG-348"
for her missile capabilities and
a new ship's patch is created.


     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 the movie,
"Regulus, the First Nuclear Missile Submarines" )

Missile Explosion
(Photo courtesy of Nick Spark and the movie,
"Regulus, the First Nuclear Missile Submarines" )

Missile Explosion
(Photo courtesy of Nick Spark and the movie,
"Regulus, the First Nuclear Missile Submarines" )

July 7, 1948 during an attempted launch of a Loon Missile,  the missile explodes and sets the Cusk on fire.  The
Captain ordered an immediate dive which doused the flames.  The picture on the left shows the Cusk just before
the missile explode.  The remaining pictures show the explosion growing in size.

Aftermath of the Explosion

It was thought that the Cusk had been sunk, but the quick thinking captain submerged the Cusk to put out the fire.
(Photo courtesy of Nick Spark and the movie,
"Regulus, the First Nuclear Missile Submarines" )

 

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!

 

Crewmembers who came aboard the Cusk in 1948:

Last Name First & MI City State Rank/Rate Svc. Date Comments
Clark F. B.     CDR 48 - 49 2nd Captain
Stafford Gordon     TM3(SS) 48  
Turnidge W. D. "Wild Bill" Bloomington CA   48 - 50 Eternal Patrol - 1 Dec 1993
Waldeck Bob Groton CT   48 - 50

 

Explore more of the Cusk's History...

1944

Keel is Laid

1945

Commissioning

1946

Pearl Harbor

1947

First Missile Launch

You are here!

1949

Missile Explosion

1950

"The Flying Missile"

1951

Tracking Missiles

1952

Missile Submarine

1953

"100 Mile Stinger"

1954

Missiles Removed

1955

Regulus Program

1956

Mare Island

1957

Pearl Harbor

1958

West Pac

1959

Alaska Cruise

1960

West Pac

1961

Designated SS-348

1962

West Pac

1963

Pearl Harbor

1964

West Pac

 

1965

West Pac/Vietnam

1966

Bremerton Yards

1967

West Pac/Vietnam

1968

Cold War Patrol

1969

Decommissioning

 

 


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 All information and pictures herein were contributed by, and are the property of crewmembers of the USS Cusk.  It is intended solely for your enjoyment and education, and for preserving the memory and history of this great ship.  If you take anything or make copies, please give proper credit.  Your questions and comments are welcomed, as are any pictorial or historical contributions you might wish to donate or loan. 

Send an email to the USS Cusk webmaster at: USS Cusk Webmaster

This page was last updated: 03/16/08