USS Proteus was commissioned as a diesel sub tender in 1944 then overhauled and reconfigured in 1959-60 to service FBM subs. The Chief of Naval Operations deployed Submarine Squadron 16 to Rota, Spain, on Jan. 28, 1964, and embarked upon USS Proteus (AS-19). USS Lafayette (SSBN 616) completed its first FBM deterrent patrol with the Polaris missile and commenced the first refit and replenishment at Rota. Polaris system support continued until the last SSBN - the Robert E. Lee, departed Guam in July 1981. Subsequently she was retired from FBM service and was fitted as an attack submarine tender.
Specifications | |
| Displacement | 19,200 tons full load |
| Length | 575 feet |
| Beam | 73 feet |
| Speed | 15.4 knots |
| Aircraft | None |
| Armament | Four 20mm guns |
| Complement | Approximately 557 |
| Builders | Moore Shipbuilding and Drydock |
Ships | ||||||
| Name | Number | Builder | Homeport | Ordered | Commissioned | Decommissioned |
| Proteus | AS-19 | Moore SB & DD | Guam | 1943 | 11 Jul 1992 | |
