Boat Stats

 

Type	Fast Attack Submarine
Class	Los Angeles
Status	Active
Homeport	Naval Staion Pearl Harbor Hawaii
Port Mailing Address	FPO AP 96683-2402
Fleet	COMSUBPAC Commander Submarine Force, US Pacific Fleet
Squadron	CSS3 - Submarine Squadron Three
Crest
Motto	"Liberate Clavis Tenacitas et Ingenium" ("The Key to Freedom is Tenacity and Resourcefulness")
Namesake	Key West, Florida
Contract Awarded	August 13, 1981
Keel Laid	July 6, 1983
Launched	July 20, 1985
Delivery	September 4, 1987
Commissioned	September 12, 1987
Builder	Newport News Ship Building and Dry Dock Co., Newport News, VA
Nuclear Planning	Electric Boat Division, General Dynamics, Groton, CT
Sponsor	Mrs. Virginia Conn
Complement	14 Officers, 132 Enlisted
Overall Length	362 feet
Extreme Beam	33 feet
Maximum Navigational Draft	31 feet
Light Displacement	5799 tons
Carrying Capacity	407 tons
Full Displacement	6206 tons
Maximum Depth	800+ feet
Propellers	one
Propulsion System	Steam Turbine - S6G Reactor
Maximum Speed	25+ knots
Armament	4 Torpedo Tubes and 12 Vertical Launch Tubes - Harpoon and Tomahawk Missiles, MK-48 Torpedoes
Cost	Approximately $9,000,000
Other USS Key West Ships	USS Key West (TC 32) USS Key West (PF 17)

 

Crest Symbology

The focal point of the USS Key West's crest is the Conch Shell, the fabled horn of the Greek God Triton and the symbol of the USS Key West's namesake city--Key West, Florida.

A submarine emerges from the shell, just as Key West emerges as the leading city of the Florida Keys. The submarine is steaming in a southwesterly direction, symbolizing the direction that the Florida Keys point into the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico.

The colors are symbolic of the National Ensign and Naval tradition.

The submarine insignia (Dolphins) symbolizes the heritage that the ship has with all past and future submarines.

The motto "Liberate Clavis Tenacitas et Ingenium" translates to "The Key to Freedom is Tenacity and Resourcefulness." The phrase "The Key to Freedom" represents the namesake city and the ship's mission to protection of the fundamental rights and liberties of the American people. The phrase "Tenacity and resourcefulness" was used by the Mayor of Key West during his speech at the ship's launching to describe the characteristics of a true Conch--a native of Key West. Additionally, "Ingenium" is the word used by the ancient Greek historians to describe the resourcefulness and ingenuity of Hercules during his exploits as a sailor.

Paraphrased from original article by FT1/SS Glenn W. Kemmerer

 

Commanders

 

Commander Thomas E. Ishee
March 14, 2006 to Present

 

Captain Kenneth R. Sault
July 29, 2003 to March 14, 2006

 

Commander Charles "Chuck" K. Merkel, Jr.
November 3, 2000 to July 29, 2003

 

Commander William H. Hilarides
May 29, 1998 to November 3, 2000

 

Commander George M. Wadzita
November 16, 1995 to May 29, 1998

 

Commander Robert H. Kuppers
February 27, 1993 to November 16, 1995

 

"Commander" Kirkland H. Donald
October 20, 1990 to February 27, 1993

 

"Commander" Joseph G. Henry
October, 10 1987 to October 20, 1990

 

"Commander" Warren N. Lipscomb, Jr.
New Construction to October, 10 1987

 

NOTE: Rank is listed is highest rank achieved on the USS Key West. Ranks in quotations - "Commander" - could not be confirmed. Due to limited choice of images, not all pictures depict rank at time of service on the USS Key West.

 

Launching the USS Key West - 07.20.1985

The Journey Begins. . . .

Newport News, Virginia (July 20, 1985) -- Attending the launching of the nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Key West (SSN 722) are, from right to left, Robert H. Conn, Assistant Secretary of the Navy; his wife, Virginia, Sponsor; his daughter Catherine, Maid of Honor; and Edward Campbell, President of Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co. DoD photo by Newport News Shipbuilding.

 

Newport News, Virginia (July 20, 1985) -- Mrs. Virginia Conn, wife of Assistant Secretary of the Navy Robert H. Conn, and their daughter, Catherine, pose for a photo during the launching of the nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Key West (SSN 722). DoD photo by Newport News Shipbuilding.

 

Newport News, Virginia (July 20, 1985) -- Robert H. Conn, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, speaks during the launching ceremony for the nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Key West (SSN 722).
Photo Courtesty of the Ida Woodward Barron Collection
May Hill Russell Library.
DoD Version of Photo.

 

Photo Courtesty of the Ida Woodward Barron Collection
May Hill Russell Library
History Department
Monroe County Library System
700 Flemming Street
Key West, Florida 33040

 

 

Food Service Awards

The Ney awards were established in 1958 and the Hill Awards in 1985 by the Secretary of the Navy and International Food Service Executives Association (IFSEA) to improve and recognize quality food service in the Navy and Marine Corps. IFSEA is a food service industry trade association whose members include executive chefs, operators, dietitians, consultants, managers and owners of catering firms, restaurants, hotels, and clubs.

Ashore General Messes must achieve a Five-Star Accreditation in order to compete in the Ney Ashore competition. This accreditation from the major claiman or regional commander of the general mess. Thirty-one general messes atained five-star accreditation and compete in three ashore General Mess categories.

The Ney and Hill awards recognize overall food service excellence by evaluating key areas in customer service, restauranteurship, cleanliness and management. An independent team that reviewed food preparation, management, administration, equipment safety, sanitation, plastic waste and disposal evaluated each category. The evaluation teams were made up of senior Navy and Marine Corps Mess Management Specialists and representatives from IFSEA.

2002
Afloat Galley Winners in the Pacific Fleet: Attack Submarine:
First Place: USS Key West (SSN 722)

2003
Afloat Galley Winners in the Pacific Fleet: Attack Submarine:
Runner-Up: USS Key West (SSN 722)

 

Tom Clancy

Apparently Tom Clancy is a fan of our favorite boat, the USS Key West. . . .

"Red Storm Rising"

©1986 by Jack Ryan Enterprises LTD and Larry Bond
ISBN: 0-425-10107-X

In "Red Storm Rising" the USS Key West is one of six submarines that launch an attack against the Soviet Union.

Later, Micro Prose released a game based on Tom Clancy's novel in which you can command the USS Key West.

 

. . . . . .

 

"SSN"

©2000
ISBN-10: 1568959346
ISBN-13: 978-1568959344

The USS Key West strikes a pose for the cover of Tom Clancy's "SSN." The book isn't really a novel, but more of a companion piece to the game "SSN" which features the USS Cheyenne (SSN 773). The Cheyenne might be newer, but I guess we know--by who made the cover--which boat is prettier!

Below is the U.S. Navy image the cover is based on. . . .

Photo by PH3 James W. Olive
U.S. Navy

 

More Images

The following are photos I've found of the Key West, but have no information on. If you can fill in the blanks, please e-mail me!

Undated photo from
Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet

 

USS Key West (PF 17)

USS Key West (PF-17) launching December 29, 1943 at Lorain, Ohio

The second Key West (PF-17) was launched December 29, 1943 by the American Shipbuilding Company, Lorain, Ohio; sponsored by Mrs. Vernon Lowe; sister of Lieutenant Harold Felton, the first resident of Key West reported missing in World War II; and commissioned at Houston November 7, 1944, Lieutenant Commander B. Papanek, USCGR, in command.

Key West stood out of Galveston Bay November 17, 1944 for training exercises and escort duty out of Bermuda. The frigate operated there until sailing for Norfolk December 22, 1944. Key West departed Hampton Roads January 18, 1945 escorting a convoy to Oran, Algeria, and returned to Boston February 28, 1945.

During the next 4 months, she made two cruises out of Casco Bay, Maine. Upon her return New York June 14, 1945 from her final cruise, Key West remained at Brooklyn until July 5th when she sailed for Boston for conversion to a weather ship.

She departed Boston July 31, 1945 and, after transiting the Canal, arrived Pearl Harbor August 23, 1945. Key West was then assigned to duty of weather station patrol in the vicinity of Guam, arriving there September 10th. She operated out of Apra Harbor reporting meterological data and stood by to aid ships in distress until March 14, 1946 when she arrived San Francisco. Key West departed San Francisco April 9, 1946 and served for 3 weeks on plane-guard station off the North California Coast. The weather ship arrived Seattle, Washington, May 1st and was decommissioned at Bremerton, Washington, June 14, 1946. She was sold April 18, 1947 to Cascade Enterprises, Oakland, California, and scrapped.

Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships

 

"Red Storm Rsing" - Tom Clancy

©1986 by Jack Ryan Enterprises LTD and Larry Bond
ISBN: 0-425-10107-X

In "Red Storm Rising" the USS Key West is one of six submarines that launch an attack against the Soviet Union.

Later, Micro Prose released a game based on Tom Clancy's novel in which you can command the USS Key West.

 

USS Key West (TC 32)

Naval Station at Mound City, Illinois (circa 1863) -- Ships present include USS Key West at left, with her number "32" painted on her pilothouse; at least ten other "Tinclad" gunboats; one "City" class ironclad (just astern of Key West) and one "Timberclad" gunboat (seen beyond the ironclad's stern).

USS Key West, a 207-ton stern-wheel "tinclad" river gunboat, was built in 1862 at California, Pennsylvania, as the civilian steamer Key West No. 3. Purchased by the Navy in April 1863, she was converted to a gunboat and commissioned the following month as USS Key West. She was assigned to patrol and escort duties on the Tennessee River, where she protected Union forces from Confederate raids. On October 10, 1864, Key West received damage in gunnery actions with enemy batteries during an expedition to Eastport, Mississippi. Early in November, she took part in an operation to recapture a transport steamer at Johnsonville, Tennessee, in company with the "Tinclads" Elfin and Tawah. Near there on November 4, 1864, the three gunboats were trapped by Confederate artillery. After a vigorous engagement, Key West and her two consorts were burned to prevent capture.

US Naval Historical Center

 

. . . . . .

 

The first Key West was built in 1862 at California, Pennsylvania, as Key West No. S; purchased by the Navy from W. S. Evans, et al at Cairo, Illinois, April 16, 1863; and commissioned May 26, 1863; Acting Master E. M. King in command.

The wooden stern-wheel steamer departed Cairo that day for patrol duty in the Tennessee River, supporting Army efforts and protecting Federal positions in the Tennessee Valley from Confederate Calvary raids. Frequently, as she patrolled the river and escorted transports and supply ships, her guns engaged hit-and-run batteries and bands of riflemen. On October 10, 1864, as troops debarked at Eastport, Mississippi, from three transports Key West and Undine had escorted from Clifton, Tennessee, a hidden Confederate 6-gun battery at Eastport and a 3-gun battery near Chickasaw opened fire on the Union ships. After the Southern guns had set two of the transports on fire and damaged Key West with two rifle shots, the Union ships reluctantly retired downstream out-of-range.

On November 2, 1984 at Johnsonville, Tennessee, Key West assisted Tawah in recapturing transport Venus, taken along with Undine and Cheeseman by the Confederates there October 30, 1864. On November 4, 1864 Key West, Tawah, and Elfin were caught in a narrow, shallow section of the river near Johnsonville by a Confederate force under General Nathan B. Forrest. After a vigorous action in which Key West was hit 19 times by rifled artillery, the 3 Union gunboats, riddled and almost out of ammunition, were set afire and scuttled.

Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships