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USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN-709)
Encyclopedia
USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN-709), a Los Angeles-class submarine
, was the only ship of the United States Navy
to be named for Admiral Hyman G. Rickover
and the only Los Angeles class submarine not named after a United States city. The contract to build her was awarded to the Electric Boat
Division of General Dynamics
Corporation in Groton, Connecticut
on 10 December 1973 and her keel was laid down on 24 July 1981. She was launched
on 27 August 1983 sponsored by the Admiral's wife, Mrs. Eleonore Ann Bednowicz Rickover (whose first name is found in a wide variety of spellings, including Eleanore, Elenore, and Eleanor; Eleonore is used on the Admiral's gravestone). SSN-709 was commissioned
on 21 July 1984 with Captain Fredrik Spruitenburg in command. A commemorative plaque honoring the ship's namesake was placed within the sub after commissioning with the poem "Admiral Rickover," an eight-line tribute by writer Ronald W. Bell.
The ship was placed into service on 24 April 1984 and initial sea trials began on 16 May 1984 with Admiral Kinnaird R. McKee
aboard. Admiral McKee served as Director of the Office of Naval Nuclear Propulsion, Department of Energy. The sea trials were completed smartly and in the shortest time ever for a 688 class submarine built at Electric Boat. Admiral McKee complimented the crew on their fine performance prior to his departure.
At precisely 12:08, 21 July 1984 USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 709) was placed in commission by the commissioning officer Vice Admiral Bernard M. Kauderer, Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. The ceremony was held in a downpour at Submarine Base Groton, Connecticut was well attended despite the weather and the one hour delay due to the late arrival of Representative Charles E. Bennett of Florida, the principal speaker.
Rickover returns from its Final Deployment.
Rickover was inactivated on 14 December 2006 and will be transported to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
in Kittery, Maine
, in early 2007 for the year-long inactivation process. She is scheduled to be decommissioned
on 1 March 2007. While in Bremerton, ex-Rickover will go through a dismantling program overseen by the Navy. The submarine will remain moored at the shipyard until it is dry-docked for dismantlement and disposal, which is currently scheduled for 2016.
Los Angeles class submarine
The Los Angeles class, sometimes called the LA class or the 688 class, is a class of nuclear-powered fast attack submarines that forms the backbone of the United States submarine fleet. With 43 submarines on active duty and 19 retired, the Los Angeles class is the most numerous nuclear powered...
, was the only ship of 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...
to be named for Admiral Hyman G. Rickover
Hyman G. Rickover
Hyman George Rickover was a four-star admiral of the United States Navy who directed the original development of naval nuclear propulsion and controlled its operations for three decades as director of Naval Reactors...
and the only Los Angeles class submarine not named after a United States city. The contract to build her was awarded to the Electric Boat
Electric boat
While a significant majority of water vessels are powered by diesel engines, with sail power and gasoline engines also remaining popular, boats powered by electricity have been used for over 120 years. Electric boats were very popular from the 1880s until the 1920s, when the internal combustion...
Division of 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...
Corporation in Groton, Connecticut
Groton, Connecticut
Groton is a town located on the Thames River in New London County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 39,907 at the 2000 census....
on 10 December 1973 and her keel was laid down on 24 July 1981. She was launched
Ship naming and launching
The ceremonies involved in naming and launching naval ships are based in traditions thousands of years old.-Methods of launch:There are three principal methods of conveying a new ship from building site to water, only two of which are called "launching." The oldest, most familiar, and most widely...
on 27 August 1983 sponsored by the Admiral's wife, Mrs. Eleonore Ann Bednowicz Rickover (whose first name is found in a wide variety of spellings, including Eleanore, Elenore, and Eleanor; Eleonore is used on the Admiral's gravestone). SSN-709 was commissioned
Ship commissioning
Ship commissioning is the act or ceremony of placing a ship in active service, and may be regarded as a particular application of the general concepts and practices of project commissioning. The term is most commonly applied to the placing of a warship in active duty with its country's military...
on 21 July 1984 with Captain Fredrik Spruitenburg in command. A commemorative plaque honoring the ship's namesake was placed within the sub after commissioning with the poem "Admiral Rickover," an eight-line tribute by writer Ronald W. Bell.
Service
During the months of January through April 1984 Rickover was nearing the completion of her construction. The initial manning was completed in January. Initial criticality of the ships S6G reactor was achieved on 10 March 1984. Berthing and messing areas were completed in April and on 23 April 1984 the crew moved aboard the ship. A special meal of rib eye steaks, baked potatoes, and corn on the cob was served to remember the occasion.The ship was placed into service on 24 April 1984 and initial sea trials began on 16 May 1984 with Admiral Kinnaird R. McKee
Kinnaird R. McKee
Kinnaird Rowe McKee is a retired United States Navy four star admiral who served as Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion from 1982 to 1988. He also served as Superintendent, United States Naval Academy from 1975 to 1978....
aboard. Admiral McKee served as Director of the Office of Naval Nuclear Propulsion, Department of Energy. The sea trials were completed smartly and in the shortest time ever for a 688 class submarine built at Electric Boat. Admiral McKee complimented the crew on their fine performance prior to his departure.
At precisely 12:08, 21 July 1984 USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 709) was placed in commission by the commissioning officer Vice Admiral Bernard M. Kauderer, Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. The ceremony was held in a downpour at Submarine Base Groton, Connecticut was well attended despite the weather and the one hour delay due to the late arrival of Representative Charles E. Bennett of Florida, the principal speaker.
Rickover returns from its Final Deployment.
Rickover was inactivated on 14 December 2006 and will be transported to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard , often called the Portsmouth Navy Yard, is a United States Navy shipyard located in Kittery on the southern boundary of Maine near the city of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. It is used for remodeling and repairing the Navy's ships...
in Kittery, Maine
Kittery, Maine
Kittery is a town in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 9,543 at the 2000 census. Home to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard on Seavey's Island, Kittery includes Badger's Island, the seaside district of Kittery Point, and part of the Isles of Shoals...
, in early 2007 for the year-long inactivation process. She is scheduled to be decommissioned
Ship decommissioning
To decommission a ship is to terminate her career in service in the armed forces of her nation. A somber occasion, it has little of the elaborate ceremony of ship commissioning, but carries significant tradition....
on 1 March 2007. While in Bremerton, ex-Rickover will go through a dismantling program overseen by the Navy. The submarine will remain moored at the shipyard until it is dry-docked for dismantlement and disposal, which is currently scheduled for 2016.