In January 1980, Canopus got underway and went 200 miles (320 km) off the coast to conduct drills. Canopus now reported to the Commander of Squadron 18. In June 1979, Canopus relieved Simon Lake at the Naval Weapons Station Charleston, South Carolina. Canopus returned to Rota, Spain, in December 1976.Īs a result of the shipyard overhaul in Charleston, Canopus brought new and improved capabilities to Rota for the support of Submarine Squadron 16. In 1976, Canopus underwent an extensive refit at Charleston Naval Shipyard and returned to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for refresher training. During the last year at Holy Loch, Canopus received numerous awards including the Ney Award for the best large mess afloat, the second consecutive Battle Efficiency 'E', the CINCLANTFLT Golden Anchor Award for personnel retention, and the Navy Unit Commendation for her role in the first FBM Submarine Extended Refit Period. During this time, Canopus was instrumental in establishing several new maintenance concepts while completing, on schedule, every submarine refit during the 67 months at Holy Loch. The fatalities (all from smoke inhalation) were two prisoners, and the guard who had freed them from the brig.Ĭanopus remained in Holy Loch until November 1975. On 29 November 1970, a fire broke out in the CPO baggage room, killing three and injuring ten. She reported to the Commander of Submarine Squadron 14. In May 1970, she relieved the Simon Lake (AS-33) at Holy Loch. In Bremerton, Canopus was extensively overhauled and thereby gained the title of the first submarine tender in the United States Navy capable of refitting and maintaining a submarine with the Poseidon Missile System.Īfter completion of this overhaul, Canopus sailed for Holy Loch, Scotland, via the Panama Canal. On 20 April 1969, Canopus was relieved by Holland and sailed for Bremerton, Washington, via the Panama Canal. While at Rota, Canopus accomplished more Polaris refits than any other submarine tender in a comparable amount of time. Canopus relieved Holland (AS-32) and reported to the Commander of Submarine Squadron 16 for duty. On 24 September 1966, Canopus deployed from Charleston, South Carolina, arriving in Rota, Spain, on 10 October. Canopus started refitting submarines of Squadron 18. In mid-April 1966, Canopus completed her acceptance trials and upon final loading and outfitting deployed to the Cooper River FBM Replenishment Site on 24 June.

She returned to Charleston Naval Shipyard on 24 February for the usual post-shakedown work. Canopus visited Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, for shakedown training. After a short outfitting period, Canopus sailed for the Caribbean on 7 January 1966. Canopus was completed and delivered to the Navy in record breaking time on 25 October 1965.Ĭanopus joined Submarine Squadron 18 at Charleston and was commissioned on 4 November 1965.

Canopus 's keel was laid on 2 March 1964 and she was launched on 12 February 1965, at Ingalls Shipbuilding Corporation in Pascagoula, Mississippi.

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