A broadside view of the USS South Carolina, anchored in Charleston Harbor. This picture was taken from the mouth of the harbor (looking inland) on Thursday, August 13, 1998 … the South Carolina’s last full day in South Carolina waters. It was a sultry, overcast day, which is why these pictures are so gray and the Cooper River bridge is barely visible in the right background.
Stern view of the USS South Carolina, with Old Glory flying proudly. The South Carolina, a nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser, was launched in Newport News, Virginia, on July 1, 1972, commissioned on January 25, 1975, and decommissioned in Charleston Harbor on August 11, 1998. She left Charleston on the afternoon of August 14, headed to a deactivation ceremony in Norfolk, Virginia, on August 28. The ship is 596 feet long and manned by a crew of 500 sailors. Norfolk is her home port.
The South Carolina’s bridge, as seen from her starboard (right) side. The seal on the left indicates that the South Carolina was a member of the Navy’s George Washington Battle Group. The four Es in the center are battle efficiency ribbons she won in Atlantic Fleet competitions. And the multi-colored bars on the right are battle ribbons.
The South Carolina’s forward gun, as seen from her port (left) side. In addition to four missile launchers and a forest of electronic gear, the South Carolina also carries an aft gun. Both guns saluted Fort Sumter as the South Carolina left Charleston Harbor for the last time.
While the USS South Carolina was in Charleston for her last visit, thousands of South Carolinians toured the ship. The Navy even provided free water taxi service from shore. This picture shows the Charleston Harbor Princess, a Grey Line excursion boat, tied to a barge lashed to the South Carolina’s port side.
Visit USS South Carolina’s Naval Vessel Register.
Reflections on the USS South Carolina CGN-37
The following statement was sent in by Richard Molck: “When I was trying to save the USS Wainwright CG-28 for a museum to ported in Charleston, and was in talks with Patriot’s Point, I was told that they didn’t even want the USS South Carolina’s artifacts for display. I was at awe with this statement, and it really hurt, not only as a Naval veteran, but also as a resident of South Carolina.”
Richard, we wholeheartedly agree!
I was on “SoCar” from 6/73-11/76, so I visited Charleston in 1975. Remember having drinks at top of a Holiday Inn. Rented a car to visit Myrtle Beach, which was dead as hell in the winter back then. I remember signs that read, “Welcome to Charleston – Recession Stops Here.”
I was in a antique store when I found this Navy Officers uniform it had the Cover, Jacket, Pants, Vest and Belt with U.S.S. South Carolina DLGN-37 on it I found a name on the uniform Lt. R. Krauchunas, NPTU, Idaho Falls, Idaho. Does anyone know this man?
I was on the pre-commissioning crew of the SoCar and was assigned from 1973-1975. In response to Lucy Bade’s inquiry regarding the uniform once belonging to Lt. R. Krauchunas, I have not been in communication with him since my departure, but I did know him. He served as the RC (Reactor Controls) Division Officer during the early years. I was a nuclear qualified machinist mate who worked in the enginerooms. As such, Lt. Krauchunas would regularly stand the Engineering Officer of the Watch (EOOW) and would be the officer in charge of all activities within the respective engineroom/reactor room during those periods of time. To my recollection, he was a very decent and knowledgable officer and I was quite comfortable with things in the engineroom when he was the EOOW.
I find it ironic, but perhaps appropriate, that there was no desire for SoCar artifacts for retention or display. There was a bit of animosity and a black mark borne between the SoCar and the City of Charleston. On her very first cruise, while still on sea trials, the South Carolina’s first port of call was in Charleston. After all, Charleston was the site of a large naval installation on the sea coast of the namesake state of the ship. I can’t speak to all the instances that occurred, but I do know that several individuals were ashore on liberty and were mugged. One sailor was pistol-whipped and required medical attention. Obviously tensions were running high and a good portion of the ship’s crew were outraged at the treatment, especially since it appeared that the citizens were, for some reason, targeting them. I do recall that we pulled out of port days earlier than originally planned and, to my knowledge, it was at least a decade before the ship made a return visit to the port. Perhaps there was still bad blood, or at least a desire to not instigate any more.
All that aside, I appreciated my time on the South Carolina and am very sorry that she has since been scrapped. I had good friends among the crew, both enlisted and officer, and value my experiences aboard. I went on to serve on the pre-commissioning crew of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and was on her until my discharge four-and-a-half years later. Nevertheless, I still have fond memories of the SoCar.
Was an EW3(SW) on her from early 1987 to late 1988. My first ship in my 12 years in the Navy. Remember Med 1-87, Northern Wedding 1988, Visiting SC in early 1988, etc.
I was a ET nuke on the SOCAR from 1984-1988. Great times with lots of memories to look back on. Didn’t realize the decommissioning ceremony and tours happened until a few years afterwards; lived only a few hours from Charleston at the time.
I went aboard SOCAR in 1980 as LPO for AS Division. Made E7 in 1981 and relieved STGC Troutt as LCPO. Of the four ship’s I was stationed on, the SOCAR was the best. Great ship, great crew, great Division (AS). I retired off her in 1984.
I was a Second Class Fire Controlman on SOCAR from 1997 until she was deactivated. Both of my daughters were baptized on the Foc’sle in the ship’s bell in 1998 and they were the last baptisms to be conducted in that ship’s bell. Great memories!
I was an STG on the USS South Carolina CGN-37, 1979-1985. We have had 2 ship wide reunions over the years and our crew will be coming to Charleston SC Sept. 5-8 2019. We have located our ships bell at Patriots Point (USS Yorktown). We are going there to see the ship and our bell.
The SOCAR was my home from 1986-89. I made two meds, two North Atlantics and a Caribbean on board. I will always have fond memories of her and the shipmates I served with. Farewell SOCAR.
We thank you so much for your service! What memories you must have!
Enjoyed every moment on the SOCAR as a SUPERSTAR!! All except the part of being single and having to be among the last to leave the ship on homecoming from deployments. After Shore Power had been established to shutting down the reactors. Good times and lots of life long friends developed on board. Got to enjoy the ORSES as well with Stolpa. Even the one we failed and found the ORSE team luggage in the river floating.
I was onboard in 1988 during the adoption ceremony for the ship. As a native South Carolinean, I was very proud of the whole affair. Good times!
Why would the state not want its namesake ship? I would rather have the USS SC than the Yorktown.
I was part of the first increment of the Pre-Commissioning Crew in 1972. We were attached to the USS California while waiting for the second increment to arrive in 1973. Since I was the only unmarried member of the first increment, I was housed in an apartment with two guys from the California. As an IC-1 I was the leading electrician for a group of about a dozen electricians, and was the Tech Librarian during construction. I served more than two years aboard the So. Carolina, discharged about a month before it was commissioned in order to attend the spring semester at San Diego State in 1975. Lots of good times and friends during those years. I was originally part of the Pre-Commission Crew for the Nimitz, but those orders were cancelled when construction fell behind schedule. I applied for the So. Carolina and received orders to her, which were also cancelled because of the construction schedule. All my souvenirs still show the ship as DLGN-37.
I was stationed onboard Socar from 1996 through 1999. She was my first ship, and I made a lot of friends and good memories.
Went from OSSR to OS2 on board SoCar, one med cruise, counter drug ops. Desert Shield and Desert Storm on board was the best time in my navy career.
I was an OS onboard and loved it, I did a Drug ops and Desert Shield/Desert Storm onboard, I slept right above you and Martin.
I was not on the ship but my brother was I don’t know if he knew him his name is William Breeze it looks like you and him were on there at the same time .
Old Blue Granite, that was my first ship and I had a blast on her. Made SM2 and did 3 cruises on her. Capt. K.R. Sydow CO. 85-88 SOCAR BABY!!!!
First Ship a lot of good times and a lot of good friends missed. I want to salute the ones serving this great country aboard ships like her today. Thank you.
I was on board the SoCar from 1992 to 1996. It was the best time of my life; meeting all the friends I made during that was the best part of being on board the SoCar. When I got to the SoCar in 1992 it was in dry dock. We made a med cruise that was the best time of my life. We picked up Cuban refugees and took then back to Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba. I worked as a translator during that time. Thank you those who served on board the USS South Carolina.
I was one of the original crew of SOCAR. I served as a Lead ELT in the engine room and later as leading PO of the topside IC Shop. Because of the excellent training I received in the Navy, especially on board SOCAR, I continued my study of chemistry and am now a professor of chemistry at Marian University in Indianapolis.
I REPORTED ABOARD THE SOCAR AFTER THE USS IOWA WAS DECOMMISSIONED. I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT, BUT I FOUND A GREAT OI DIVISION THAT HELPED ME TO BE A GREAT SAILOR AND A GREAT MAN. I GOT TO DO A DRUG ENFORCEMENT CRUISE AND A MED/DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM CRUISE ON HER. I LEFT WHILE SHE WAS IN NORFOLK NAVAL IN 1993. I REGRET THAT I NEVER GOT TO GO BACK OUT ON HER AND SEE HOW SHE PERFORMED WITH THE BLOCK 0 COMBAT SYSTEM. ONE DAY I WILL MAKE A TRIP TO THE WEST COAST TO VISIT SOCAR IN THE MEMORIAL PARK (HER BOW ANYWAYS) AND VISIT THE USS IOWA IN LA. FULL SPEED AHEAD.
I served onboard the SoCar, my first ship, from Fall of 1996 though a full Med deployment, counter drug ops in the Caribbean/Gulf of Mexico, during that trip to Charleston, and her decommissioning ceremony. SoCar was a fantastic ship with an amazing crew and operated better than both Aegis Cruisers I later served on. I’m proud that she was my first ship and of the time I spent on board. I grew from RMSN to RM2(SW) while onboard. She was old Navy, and I believe, the last of her kind.
Socar was my home from ’83 – ’87. Looking back now, those were the best days of my life. It was an honor to serve.
She was one steaming ship. I was on from 1982 to 1986. Three ORSEs in 1985, what a blast!
I commissioned her into service in 1975, it would have been nice to be with her when she left the navy. Besides that, what a great crew and CPO. I still remember all the wonderful times and adventures of that time.
I served on the South Carolina February 76 to April 79. I was not the best ET, but I was the proudest (circa Billy Martin New York Yankees).
I had duty the final day in this port. It was my first ship I was stationed on. Awesome place. It was sad when they ripped it apart to take the reactors out.
There has been a long onset of changes in the way of things since 1989/91. I’m proud to say that I was part of the old Navy and I want to salute all those that are serving the country and doing their part to keep America the best country there ever was or ever will be. My heart will always be with the USN and that will never change.