The United States Navy

Submarine Tenders - AS

Last updated: October 4, 1999

Description: Submarine Tenders furnish maintenance and logistic support for nuclear attack submarines.

Features: Submarine tenders are the largest of the active auxiliaries. Their crews are made up mostly technicians and repair personnel.

Background: The L.Y. Spear class is designed and fitted to accommodate attack submarines and can service up to four submarines moored alongside simultaneously. The Simon Lake class was configured especially to service ballistic missile submarines, the last of this class was decommissioned June 25, 1999.

Point of Contact:
Public Affairs Office
Naval Sea Systems Command
Washington, DC 20362

General Characteristics, L.Y. Spear Class

Builders:
AS 39 thru AS 41, Lockheed Shipbuilding & Construction Company
Power Plant: Two boilers, geared turbines, one shaft, 20,000 shaft horsepower
Length: 644 feet (193.2 meters)
Beam: 85 feet (25.5 meters)
Displacement: Approximately 23,493 tons (23,870.02 metric tons) full load
Speed: 20 knots (23 miles, 36.8 km, per hour)
Aircraft: None
Ships:
USS Emory S. Land (AS 39), La Maddalena, Italy
USS Frank Cable (AS 40), Guam
Crew: 97 officers, 1,266 enlisted
Armament: Two 40mm guns, and four 20mm guns.
Date deployed: 7 July 1979 (USS Emory S. Land)

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