USS HARDER (SS-568)

Diesel Fast Attack Submarine

The USS HARDER, which was the fourth of the "Tang" Class submarines launched, was built at Electric Boat Division of General Dynamic Co., Groton, CT, Keel laid down by 30JUN50; and Launched: 3DEC51; Sponsored by Mrs. Philip P. Cole; the widow of Lieutenant S.M. Logan, USN who was the Executive officer of the original HARDER when lost during World War II. Commissioned: 10AUG52 with Cdr Richard B. Laning in command; Harder were built to a length of 277 feet and with the FM engines as initial installation.

Harder operated out of New London after her commissioning.  In June 1953, LCDR F.A. Andrews, USN assumed command.
Shortly thereafter HARDER departed for the British Isles. While returning from this voyage she experienced mechanical difficulties with the then experimental main propulsion equipment which gave her the questionable distinction of having sustained the longest tow in submarine history, an evolution covering 2100 miles.

She made an historic test of the ability of a submarine to transit on the snorkel by making the trip from New London to the Bahamas snorkeling. In 1959, she participated in SUBICEX where the cruised some 280 miles under the Arctic Ice pack. Harder changed home port to Charleston late in 1959 and operated out of that port on Med trips, and extensive ASW operating exercises in the Atlantic and Caribbean. In 1967 the boat was modernized and lengthened. Decommissioned: 31JAN73; Struck from the Navy List 20FEB74; Harder was sold to Italy where she served as the Romeo Romei (S-516) 18AUG74. until the Italian Navy put her out of commission and was then scrapped
 
 

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Oct 2002