The USS Sculpin (SSN-590) was a game-changer when she joined the Navy in 1961. A Skipjack-class nuclear-powered submarine, she sailed through the Cold War on secret patrols, training missions, and major exercises like RIMPAC.
Her sleek teardrop-shaped hull made her fast and quiet underwater, and she tested advanced sonar and torpedoes that helped shape future submarines. Life aboard was intense — tight spaces, long deployments, and hidden dangers like asbestos in insulation and machinery.
Remembering the USS Sculpin is not just about technology or missions — it’s about the sailors who served beneath the waves. If you’re a veteran who served on submarines or ships with asbestos exposure, stay aware of your health and talk to the VA if needed.
Asbestos Exposure on the USS Sculpin (SSN-590) . Learn more about how and where you were exposed to asbestos and find shipmates.