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USS Dixon (AS-37)
Encyclopedia
USS Dixon (AS-37) was a submarine tender
, in service to the United States Navy
from 1971 through 1995. Dixon was named for George E. Dixon
, commander of the Confederate submarine H. L. Hunley
.
Dixon was laid down by General Dynamics
Corp, Fore River Shipyard
at Quincy, Massachusetts
on 7 September 1967. She was launched on 20 June 1970 and commissioned on 7 August 1971 at Norfolk Naval Shipyard
, sponsored by Mrs. Paul Masterson, the wife of retired Vice Adm. Paul Masterson, USN, and commanded by Capt. D.S. Boyd, USN.
On November 22, 1978, two female officers, Ensigns Roberta McIntyre and Macushla Wiedorn, boarded the Dixon as two of the first female officers to serve aboard a U.S. Navy ship. Ensign McIntyre later became the first woman to qualify as a Surface Warfare Officer, and shortly thereafter Ensign McCormick became the second.
Dixon was decommissioned 15 December 1995 and struck 18 March 1996. She was sunk as a target in the Atlantic Ocean during a fleet training exercise 21 July 2003 over 580 km (360 mi) southeast of Charleston, South Carolina
(USA) at 31°16′17.9"N 73°57′46.2"W in a depth of 5130 m (2805 fathoms).
Submarine tender
A submarine tender is a type of ship that supplies and supports submarines.Submarines are small compared to most oceangoing vessels, and generally do not have the ability to carry large amounts of food, fuel, torpedoes, and other supplies, nor to carry a full array of maintenance equipment and...
, in service to the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
from 1971 through 1995. Dixon was named for George E. Dixon
George E. Dixon
George E. Dixon was a first lieutenant in the Confederate Army in the American Civil War. He is best known as the commander of the Confederate submarine H.L...
, commander of the Confederate submarine H. L. Hunley
H. L. Hunley (submarine)
H. L. Hunley was a submarine of the Confederate States of America that played a small part in the American Civil War, but a large role in the history of naval warfare. The Hunley demonstrated both the advantages and the dangers of undersea warfare...
.
Dixon was laid down by General Dynamics
General Dynamics
General Dynamics Corporation is a U.S. defense conglomerate formed by mergers and divestitures, and as of 2008 it is the fifth largest defense contractor in the world. Its headquarters are in West Falls Church , unincorporated Fairfax County, Virginia, in the Falls Church area.The company has...
Corp, Fore River Shipyard
Fore River Shipyard
The Fore River Shipyard of Quincy, Massachusetts, more formally known as the Fore River Ship and Engine Building Company, was a shipyard in the United States from 1883 until 1986. Located on the Weymouth Fore River, the yard began operations in 1883 in Braintree, Massachusetts before being moved...
at Quincy, Massachusetts
Quincy, Massachusetts
Quincy is a city in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. Its nicknames are "City of Presidents", "City of Legends", and "Birthplace of the American Dream". As a major part of Metropolitan Boston, Quincy is a member of Boston's Inner Core Committee for the Metropolitan Area Planning Council...
on 7 September 1967. She was launched on 20 June 1970 and commissioned on 7 August 1971 at Norfolk Naval Shipyard
Norfolk Naval Shipyard
The Norfolk Naval Shipyard, often called the Norfolk Navy Yard and abbreviated as NNSY, is a U.S. Navy facility in Portsmouth, Virginia, for building, remodeling, and repairing the Navy's ships. It's the oldest and largest industrial facility that belongs to the U.S. Navy as well as the most...
, sponsored by Mrs. Paul Masterson, the wife of retired Vice Adm. Paul Masterson, USN, and commanded by Capt. D.S. Boyd, USN.
On November 22, 1978, two female officers, Ensigns Roberta McIntyre and Macushla Wiedorn, boarded the Dixon as two of the first female officers to serve aboard a U.S. Navy ship. Ensign McIntyre later became the first woman to qualify as a Surface Warfare Officer, and shortly thereafter Ensign McCormick became the second.
Dixon was decommissioned 15 December 1995 and struck 18 March 1996. She was sunk as a target in the Atlantic Ocean during a fleet training exercise 21 July 2003 over 580 km (360 mi) southeast of Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
(USA) at 31°16′17.9"N 73°57′46.2"W in a depth of 5130 m (2805 fathoms).
External links
- Decommissioning ceremony photos - USS DIXON (AS 37)
- Naval Vessel Register - AS37
- NavSource.org - USS Dixon
- http://www.tendertale.com/tenders/137/137.html
- Press release about the boarding of the first female officers- United Press International