USS Narwhal (SSN-671)
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| History | |
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| Namesake: | Narwhal |
| Ordered: | 28 July 1964 |
| Builder: | General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, Connecticut |
| Laid down: | 17 January 1966 |
| Launched: | 9 September 1967 |
| Commissioned: | 12 July 1969 |
| Decommissioned: | 1 July 1999 |
| Struck: | 1 July 1999 |
| Fate: | Uncertain |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Nuclear submarine |
| Displacement: |
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| Length: | 314 ft (95.7 m) |
| Beam: | 33 ft (10 m) |
| Draft: | 31 ft (9.4 m) |
| Propulsion: | S5G reactor |
| Complement: | 12 officers, 95 enlisted |
| Armament: |
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USS Narwhal (SSN-671), a unique submarine, was the third ship of the United States Navy to be named for the narwhal, a gray and white arctic whale with a unicorn-like, ivory tusk.
Her keel was laid down on 17 January 1966 by the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation, in Groton, Connecticut. She was launched on 9 September 1967 sponsored by Glynn R. Donaho, and commissioned on 12 July 1969 with Commander W. A. Matson in command.
Very little of the Narwhal's design was based on the Sturgeon-class submarine. Her power plant, engine room, and forward compartment layout was unlike any other U.S. submarine. Forward of her reactor compartment the crew enjoyed more available space and berthing than her Thresher/Permit, Sturgeon, or Los Angeles-class sisters. Her engine room was spacious and well laid out.
Elements of her propulsion were incorporated in later ship classes, especially the Ohio class, but no other submarine has used all of Narwhal's innovations. These innovations included a natural circulation reactor plant, scoop seawater injection (which was not repeated), the ability to cross connect main and auxiliary seawater systems, and a directly coupled main engine turbine. Her small reactor coolant pumps had two speeds: On and Off. The result was the quietest submarine of her era, and for many years to follow. Her silence was equaled only by the Ohio class and finally surpassed by the Seawolf class.
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