USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN-709)
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| History | |
|---|---|
 United States
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| Name: | USS Hyman G. Rickover |
| Awarded: | 10 December 1973 |
| Builder: | General Dynamics Corporation |
| Laid down: | 24 July 1981 |
| Launched: | 27 August 1983 |
| Commissioned: | 21 July 1984 |
| Decommissioned: | 14 December 2006 |
| Homeport: | Norfolk, Virginia |
| Motto: | Committed To Excellence |
| Fate: | To be disposed of by submarine recycling |
| Badge: |  |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Los Angeles-class submarine |
| Displacement: | 5,748 tons light, 6,123 tons full, 375 tons dead |
| Length: | 110.3 m (361 ft 11 in) |
| Beam: | 10 m (32 ft 10 in) |
| Draft: | 9.7 m (31 ft 10 in) |
| Propulsion: | S6G nuclear reactor |
| Complement: | 12 officers, 98 men |
| Armament: | 4 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes |
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. SSN-719 was later given the name USS Providence.
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.
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.
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.
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