SST-1 Mackerel
AGSS-570 was projected as an experimental submarine in the early 1950s -- the award went to Electric Boat Co, Groton CT which took fifteen months to construct her. She was commissioned as T-1 (no name) in October 1953, operated out of Key West, FL, and was named Mackerel in July 1956.
MACKEREL participated in fleet exercises off the east coast, mainly conducting training and target assignments, including some for the Fleet Sonar School at Key West. She made several cruises testing new equipment for submarines. After more training and target cruises into the late 1950’s, she tested acoustical developments for submarine hulls in waters near the British West Indies in the summer of 1963. She again operated in the West Indies in February 1964, performing similar tasks.
She received new equipment at Groton in the spring of 1966 and headed south, arriving at Key West on 26 June. There, MACKEREL conducted experimental work to acquire data to be used in the development of future Navy submarines. After finishing this assignment in March 1967, the submarine had some of her special equipment removed, and she resumed operations at Key West for the Fleet Sonar School.
MACKEREL acted as a target for surface and air ASW forces off the Florida coast and in the Caribbean during the late 1960’s and into the 1970’s. Sometime in 1971, MACKEREL was commissioned. She provided target and training services for antisubmarine warfare units of the Atlantic Fleet in the Key West and the Mayport/Jacksonville operating areas in 1971 and 1972. She made her last dive on 21 July 1972. She remained in reduced-complement status from that day until 31 January 1973 but, nevertheless, conducted junior officer and midshipmen training regularly through October 1972.
MACKEREL and her sister MARLIN (SST-2) were decommissioned on 31 January 1973 in a dual ceremony at the Naval Station, Key West, Fla.; and both were struck from the Navy list on the same day. MACKEREL was subsequently scrapped.
