USS Sunfish ( SSN - 649 ) USS " Sunfish " ( SSN - 649 ) , a " Sturgeon " - class attack submarine , was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for the ocean sunfish ( " Mola mola " ) , a marine species having a deep body truncated behind , and high dorsal and anal fin s . Construction and commissioning . The contract to build " Sunfish " was awarded to the General Dynamics Quincy Shipbuilding Division in Quincy , Massachusetts , on 26 March 1963 and her keel was laid down there on 15 January 1965 . She was launched on 14 October 1966 , sponsored by Mrs . Robert C . Byrd , the wife of United States Senator Robert C . Byrd of West Virginia , and commissioned on 15 March 1969 , with Commander Richard L . Thompson in command . Service history . 1969 – 1974 . " Sunfish " spent the period from April to August 1969 undergoing shakedown and in various exercises such as torpedo firing , sound trials , control drills , and casualty drills . A short dedependents ' cruise in late August 1969 was followed by post - shakedown repairs and alterations at Groton , Connecticut . The last two weeks of 1969 were devoted to a leave and recreation period for the crew . " Sunfish " spent early 1970 in upkeep periods and several short cruises in preparation for an extended deployment . She was deployed from 16 June to 26 August 1970 , when she arrived at her home port , Charleston , South Carolina . She deployed again from 6 October to 1 December 1970 . " Sunfish " put to sea again on 22 January 1971 to participate in a short fleet exercise , but her operational commitments changed after she left port and she did not return until 9 March 1971 . She made a cruise to Port Everglades , Florida , in April 1971 , followed by a fleet exercise . She spent the remainder of 1971 participating in antisubmarine warfare exercises with destroyer s and patrol aircraft . " Sunfish " departed Charleston on 3 January 1972 , for a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea and a tour of duty with the United States Sixth Fleet . She returned to her Charleston on 21 May 1972 and entered a stand - down period that lasted until early October , when she entered the Norfolk Naval Shipyard at Portsmouth , Virginia , for her first major overhaul . The overhaul was completed in August 1973 , and " Sunfish " proceeded to New London , Connecticut , for refresher training . She touched at Charleston in early November 1973 , then continued to the Caribbean Sea for sound training and weapon systems tests . " Sunfish " returned to Charleston on 9 December 1973 for a leave and upkeep period . She operated along the United States East Coast from New London to Cape Kennedy , Florida , until June 1974 . On 25 June 1974 , " Sunfish " stood out of Charleston to begin a deployment . 1978 - 1981 . The boat was scheduled for refit , and was sent to Ingalls Shipyard , East Bank facility , Pascagoula , Mississippi in the early part of 1978 . Ingalls was owned by Litton Industries at the time , She successfully weathered Hurricane Frederic , which hit the Gulf Coast region . There were numerous delays , but in early 1980 , she completed her sea trials , and was again sent to her homeport at the United States Naval Base , Charleston , South Carolina , after a Caribbean visit to San Juan , Puerto Rico . 1000th dive , 1996 . " Sunfish " s home port had been changed to Norfolk , Virginia , by 1996 , when she made history : Early that year , after pulling away from the submarine tender , " Sunfish " made her one thousandth dive . Commander Submarine Group 8 , Rear Admiral Richard W . Mies , who had served on " Sunfish " from March 1970 to April 1973 , was aboard to give the order to submerge for the history - making dive . On 4 March 1996 , the U . S . Navys Chief of Naval Information released this story : " Sunfish " made her last deployment in 1996 . Decommissioning and disposal . " Sunfish " was decommissioned on 31 March 1997 and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register the same day . her scrapping via the Nuclear - Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program at Puget Sound Navy Yard at Bremerton , Washington was completed on 31 October 1997 .