Name USS Hyman G. Rickover Laid down 24 July 1981 Decommissioned 14 December 2006 Construction started 24 July 1981 Length 110 m | Awarded 10 December 1973 Commissioned 21 July 1984 Homeport Norfolk, Virginia Launched 27 August 1983 Beam 10 m | |
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Builder General Dynamics Electric Boat | ||
USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN-709), a Los Angeles-class submarine, was the first ship of the United States Navy to be named for Admiral Hyman G. Rickover, pioneer of the nuclear Navy, and the only Los Angeles-class submarine not named after a United States city or town. It was initially to be named the USS Providence; however, following the retirement of Admiral Rickover, its name was reassigned prior to official christening. The SSN-719 was later given the name USS Providence.
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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).
The Rickover 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 poem appears below, provided by the author and with his permission:
ADMIRAL RICKOVER
Possessed of a purpose
He forged a path
Across a frontier
Untried and new
Clinging to his course
He met the task
Threescore and more
He served for you.
Ship's Crest
The ship's crest was designed by Mrs. Anita M. Tipton, wife of former crewmember MM1(SS) Carl A. Tipton. The patch symbolically represents Admiral Rickover and the ship.
The four white stars symbolize Admiral Rickover's rank upon retirement. The submarine's upward angle represents seeking out our nation's enemies. The nuclear power symbol is a reminder that Admiral Rickover is father of the nuclear Navy, and the motto, "Committed to Excellence" symbolizes the Admiral's 64 years of active naval service.
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 ship's 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 ribeye 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 aboard. Admiral McKee served as Director of the Office of Naval Nuclear Propulsion, U.S. 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, Conn., and was well attended despite the weather and the one-hour delay due to the late arrival of U.S. Representative Charles E. Bennett of Florida, the principal speaker.
Rickover was inactivated on 14 December 2006 and was transported to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine, in 2007 for the year-long inactivation process. The Rickover was decommissioned in 2007, with the crew departing for the final time on 17 December 2007. The submarine was towed the next year to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, where it remains moored until dismantlement and disposal, which is scheduled for 2016.