USS Sam Rayburn (SSBN-635)
USS Sam Rayburn (SSBN/MTS-635), a
James Madison-class ballistic missile submarine, was the only ship of the
United States Navy to be named for Speaker of the House of Representatives
Sam Rayburn (
1882–
1961).
The contract to build her was awarded to
Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in
Newport News, Virginia on
20 July 1961 and her keel was laid down on
3 December 1962. She was
launched on
20 December 1963 sponsored by Mrs. S.E. Bartley & Mrs. W.A. Thomas, and
commissioned on
2 December 1964, with Captain Oliver H. Perry, Jr., in command of the Blue Crew andCommander William A. Williams III in command of the Gold Crew.
Sam Rayburn conducted demonstration and shakedown operations on the Atlantic Missile Range, first manned by her Blue Crew and then by her Gold Crew. She joined Submarine Squadron 18 before her first patrol in the summer of
1965. In August
1965, she joined Submarine Squadron 16 and made seven patrols out of
Rota, Spain, before rejoining Submarine Squadron 18 in December
1966 at
Charleston, South Carolina. During
1967,
Sam Rayburn completed her eighth through 11th Polaris deterrent patrols. During
1968, she completed patrols 12 through 14. During
1969,
Sam Rayburn operated continuously with Submarine Squadron 18 until commencing overhaul at
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in December. Upon completion of overhaul on
27 May 1971,
Sam Rayburn operated along the eastern coast of the
United States throughout
1971 and into
1972. She departed from
Groton, Connecticut, and arrived in
Charleston, South Carolina, before departing on an extended period ofspecial operations.
13 years of history go hereOn
10 June 1985, the Navy announced plans to dismantle a ballistic missile submarine so as to remain within the
SALT II ceiling on
MIRVed missiles.
Sam Rayburn was selected and was deactivated on
16 September 1985. Her missile tubes were filled with concrete and the tube hatches removed.
Sam Rayburn was decommissioned on
31 July 1989 and reclassified a moored training ship with
hull classification symbol MTS-635. Stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on the following
28 August, she arrived at
Charleston, South Carolina on
1 February 1986, and on
29 July 1989 achieved initial criticality in her new role. Her modifications included special mooring arrangements including a mechanism to absorb power generated by the main propulsion shaft. She is scheduled to operate as an MTS until
2014 while undergoing shipyard availabilities at four year intervals.
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Texas Navy hosted by
The Portal to Texas History. A survey of the Texas Navy during the Texas Revolution and the Republic Era. Includes maps, sketches, a list of ships of the Texas Navy, and a chronology. Also includes photographs of 20th century U.S. Navy ships named after Texans or Texas locations. See photos of the USS Sam Rayburn.
Based on data from the
Naval Vessel Register
