USS Tang SS 563
The USS Tang SS 563 was a Tang-class submarine and the lead submarine of her class. She was launched on June 19th, 1951 from the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard of Kittery, Maine and was sponsored by a Mrs. Richard H. O’Kane. The submarine was commissioned on October 25th, 1951 under the leadership of Commander E. P. Huey. The USS Tang was the very first American submarine to be actually designed, instead of being later modified and converted, under the Greater Underwater Propulsion Power Program otherwise known as a GUPPY submarine, this program mainly concentrated on underwater performance rather than surface speed and maneuvering.
Following her shakedown trials and various training up and down the eastern seaboard the USS Tang was finally ready to begin her Navy service and embarked west where she was to join the Pacific Fleet as the newest appointed unit attached to Submarine Squadron 1. She operated mainly out of Pearl Harbor providing assistance in support of ongoing air and surface antisubmarine warfare exercises that were being conducted by the fleet in and around the waters of the Hawaiian Islands. The Tang continued this service until October of 1953 when she began her first overhaul that was to be completed in the following year in July of 1954. Until August of 1956 she ran training exercises and various operations between the west coast, Hawaii and Alaska.
In March of 1959 she assisted with experiments out of the Naval Torpedo Testing Station based out of Keyport, Washington. Until 1972 she mainly conducted operations and training exercises throughout the Pacific cooperating with a multinational naval force and assisting other countries with good will voyages and military assistance programs. On January 1st, 1966 the USS Tang was deployed to the Far East to provide support during the Vietnam Conflict where during a single particularly intense patrol the entire crew was awarded the Navy Expeditionary Medal. The USS Tang SS 563 was finally decommissioned on February 8th, 1980. She was then transferred and sold to the government of Turkey. The Tang was awarded four battle stars for her brave service during the Vietnam War. She rests today at the Inciralti Sea Museum in Izmir, Turkey.
Crewmembers who served aboard the USS Tang SS 563 should be proud, but they should be aware that during their time on the submarine, they were at risk of exposure to asbestos. Before it was determined to be hazardous, asbestos was used in many products that could be found on submarines and in shipyards, more accurately, the piping and ducts systems built during its original construction dealing with the insulation. The asbestos inside these materials is made up of particles and can be inhaled. Asbestos has been linked to the development of the respiratory disease mesothelioma, which is a type of asbestos cancer. Veterans that served aboard the USS Tang SS 563 should speak to their physicians about the possibility of exposure to asbestos so that they may be thoroughly examined and can receive medical treatment.
Last modified: December 28, 2010.
