Sea Classics Article on Holy Loch
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The US Navy nuclear submarine mooring at Holy Loch provided an idyllic sheltered cove which was strategically located to allow Polaris submarines to get “on station” in the shortest possible time. The 10,500-ton submarine tender USS Hun!ey (AS-31) was modified from a Polaris to Poseidon missile support ship in 1975. part of the Triad will still provide the solid-fueled Polaris specifically for use auxiliary machinery required for the United States with the ability to respond on board submarines. To increase the storing, testing and launching of the with overwhelming force to any nuclear security of the strategic missile strategic Polaris weapon. The first attack. The fact that the United States platform, it was decided to design the successful launch occurred on 20 July could respond to any nuclear attack with system so that launches occurred 1960 by the USS George Washington devastating force has always been well- submerged. (SSBN-598). The coupling of the Polaris publicized. The sea-based portion of the The reasoning was that detection missile with the existing submarines triad has always been the least would be much simpler for the ranks as one of the most-successful susceptible to destruction by opposing adversary if the boats had to sit on the military programs of all time. forces. surface while firing. Even though it Although a 1200-mi range for a The first operational submarine- was a rapid deployment of a radical weapon was very long by 1960 standards, launched ballistic missile utilized by the weapon system, the program was a it had to be increased for one very US Navy was the Polaris (Al). As there complete success. Equipped with a important reason. It limited the area of was an urgent requirement for the single reentry vehicle and a maximum the ocean that Soviet antisubmarine weapon system, it was brought from range of 1200-mi, it provided the sea forces had to search to locate the ballistic concept to an operational unit in less service with a viable strategic weapon. missile submarines. Therefore, the than 6-yrs. In September 1955, the As the 1200-mi range was short for a Polaris Al was followed by the improved Secretary of Defense ordered the Army strategic weapon, it was wisely decided A2 with a range of 1500-mi. The A2 was and Navy to develop land- and sea-based to deploy the existing missile and still equipped with a single reentry strategic missiles with a minimum range continue research to rectify the range vehicle, a severe limitation. The A3 of 1500-mi. The 1500-mi range was problem. When you consider the version increased the payload to three driven by the need to be able to strike difficulties involved with developing a reentry vehicles. That action tripled the Soviet targets from existing NATO new concept weapon system, Polaris number of targets that one submarine installations. The Army’s contribution was a outstanding success. could attack. The improved missiles were was the liquid-fueled Jupiter. The Navy, By itself, the weapon was useless. It back-fitted into existing FBM rather than use a Navalized version of needed a submarine that could allow submarines, saving both time and money. the Jupiter was to produce the solid- for its proper employment. The answer Improvements in the Soviet defenses fueled Polaris. was in the form of the Skipjack (SSN- required a still-longer-ranged weapon to Even though liquid-fueled missiles 585) class of nuclear-powered fast- further complicate search problems. That have advantages such as low cost, simple attack submarines which were resulted in the development of Poseidon, construction and high thrust, the fuel is currently under construction. with a range of 2500-mi and a payload of difficult and dangerous to handle. They Uncompleted fast-attack boats were ten reentry vehicles. The Poseidon are problems that would be too modified by cutting the hull in half. A submarines were the most-powerful dangerous within the confined space of a 130-ft extension was inserted that weapons system to be deployed by man. submerged submarine’s hull. contained two rows of eight vertical One submarine commanding officer was Recognizing the inherent problems missile tubes, fire control systems, responsible for more with liquid fuel, the Navy developed the inertial navigation systems and explosive fire power than was Fewer boats translates to fewer function was to replenish the forward- expended by all belligerents during sailors, less shore support, fewer bases, deployed squadrons in Scotland, Spain, WWII. The survival of just one and ultimately, reduced cost. As both and Guam. They were configured to submarine could rain ruin upon any the Polaris and Poseidon missiles were transport food, spare parts, torpedoes potential attacker, ensuring a hollow relatively short-ranged weapons, it was and missiles. Space to transport victory. During the 1970s and 1980s, imperative that their effectiveness be missiles and torpedoes was mandatory the deterrent patrols ensured that maximized. The only way was to as both are complex weapons systems nuclear war was not a winning increase the numbers of submarines on that require periodic maintenance and proposition. station at one time. The quickest way to overhauls. While most maintenance Although it is stated that nuclear minimize transit time was the use of can be performed by the tender, power gives a warship unlimited overseas bases. The result was that three complex, periodic overhauls require a endurance, it is still finite. A nuclear overseas bases for ballistic missile Stateside depot. power plant’s uranium core is capable submarines were established; Apra To reduce costs, each submarine of supplying only so much power Harbor, Guam; Rota, Spain; and Holy had two crews. That practice is still in before it requires replacement. Core Loch, Scotland. effect today with modern boats. Even life is determined by factors such as the One fleet ballistic missile submarine though manpower costs are greater for distance and speed that a ship squadron was assigned to each base. A each individual submarine, with two “steams.” Because of the enormous fourth squadron was established in crews, a boat spends much more time costs associated with nuclear reactor Charleston, South Carolina. That on patrol. More time on patrol refueling, the evolution is planned on a resulted in a total of 41 Fleet Ballistic translates into fewer submarines and, 10-yr cycle. If the range a submarine Missile submarines and five tenders. ultimately, less cost. The two crews are must travel before it is on station and Additionally, two T-AK supply vessels called the Blue Crew and Gold Crew. capable of striking targets is reduced, were procured. Their Each crew is fully independent. While fewer boats are required to provide one crew takes the boat on patrol, the coverage. other is back in home port either in The tender Proteus (AS-19) training or on leave. was kept well-supplied with a The Holy Loch submarine base was full bill of stateside goods established on March 1961 by the including everything from arrival of the first station tender, USS tasty ham hocks to electronic circuit boards thanks to the Proteus (AS-19). The era of deterrent shuttle service between the patrols from the Holy Loch refit site support squadron at began in the same year by the Charleston, South Carolina, departure of the USS George and Holy Loch provided by Washington (SSBN-598) on a deterrent the supply ship USS Betelgeuse (AK-260). Proteus patrol. Throughout the intervening was the first submarine years, hundreds of strategic patrols tender sent to Holy Loch in departed from, or terminated at the March 1961. Like the Scottish site. Submarine crews were submarines they served, the not homeported in Scotland. Keeping tenders were periodically rotated for overhaul and R&R. the crews there would require too much shore support. The idea was to keep the forward submarine bases as austere as practical. Crews would fly in from Stateside bases, such as Charleston or New London, relieve the returning crew, take the boat through refit, and then back out on patrol. In addition to providing more submarines on patrol at a given time, the extra personnel ensured a higher standard of material readiness on each boat. The Holy Loch is located on the central western coast of Scotland. The body of water was so named because Originally built as a 10,100-ton Fulton-class submarine tender, USS Proteus (AS- 19) was launched late in 1940 at Mare Island. After extensive wartime service she was lengthened and converted to support Polaris missile submarines in 1959/1960. Later, she received a FRAM II refit to accommodate nuclear submarines. This early 1970s photo show Proteus still armed with her wartime battery of four 5-in/38s in single mounts. Her guns were removed during a 1975 refit. sometime in the Middle Ages, a virtually no transit time before a relatively similar lines. They are rnerchantman carrying a cargo of sand patrol arranged into several different from the Holy Land sank in its cold, dark started. That fact alone, made the departments for management waters. According to local legend, the base invaluable, as it was a force purposes. Operations is responsible sand was to have been used for the multiplier that usually could only for the safe operation of the ship at construction of a local church. The Loch is be dreamed of. This location has sea. Communications and navigation surrounded on three sides by high hills been important for seafaring are its area of expertise. Engineering providing a safe anchorage from the rough powers from the Vikings to the Department is the tender’s mobility. weather that is so prevalent in this area.