The Navy's newest attack submarine New Hampshire (SSN 778) will be christened Saturday, June 21, during an 11:00 a.m. EDT ceremony at Electric Boat in Groton, Conn.
Director of Naval Reactors, Adm. Kirkland Donald, will deliver the ceremony's principal address. Cheryl McGuinness of Portsmouth, N.H., will serve as New Hampshire's sponsor. Ms. McGuinness is the widow of Thomas McGuiness, co-pilot of American Airlines Flight 11 which was flown into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. The highlight of the ceremony will be Ms. McGuinness christening the ship by breaking a bottle of sparkling wine over the submarine, a time honored Navy tradition.
The fifth Virginia-class submarine, New Hampshire is the third ship to honor the Granite State. The first USS New Hampshire was in service from 1846-1921, including service during the Civil War. Later, she was renamed Granite State following decommissioning and was used as a training ship for the New York State Militia. The second USS New Hampshire (1908-1921) was a battleship used for convoy escort duty during World War I and also served as a training ship.
Along with her sister ships, USS New Hampshire will provide the Navy with the capabilities required to maintain the nation's undersea supremacy well into the 21st century.
Commander Mike Stevens will become the ship's first commanding officer and will lead a crew of approximately 134 officers and enlisted personnel.
The 7,800-ton New Hampshire was built under a teaming arrangement between General Dynamics Electric Boat (Connecticut) and Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding - Newport News (Virginia). She is 337 feet in length, has a beam of 34 feet, and can operate at more than 25 knots submerged.
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General Characteristics of Virginia class nuclear submarines: |
| Builder: General Dynamics Electric Boat Division and Northrop Grumman Newport News |
| Date First Deployed: Commissioned 23 October 2004 |
| Propulsion: One nuclear reactor, one shaft |
| Length: 377 feet (114.8 meters) |
| Beam: 34 feet (10.4 meters) |
| Displacement: Approximately 7,800 tons (7,925 metric tons) submerged |
| Speed: 25+ knots (28+ miles per hour, 46.3+ kph) |
| Crew: 134: 14 Officers; 120 Enlisted |
| Armament: Tomahawk missiles, twelve VLS tubes, MK-48 ADCAP torpedoes, four torpedo tubes. |
Ships: |
| USS Virginia (SSN 774), Groton, Conn. |
| USS Texas (SSN 775), Groton, Conn. |
| USS Hawaii (SSN 776), Groton, Conn. |
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USS North Carolina (SSN 777) - Wilmington, Delaware |
| New Hampshire (SSN 778) - Keel Laid 30 April 2007; Christening on June 21, 2008 |
| New Mexico (SSN 779) - Named 7 December 2004; construction began in January 2004 |
| Unnamed (SSN 780) - Construction began in December 2004 |
Resources:
U.S. Navy Attack Submarine Fact File
USS North Carolina (SSN 777) Launched
The Sub Report - daily source for submarine news and events
Lost Boat Memorial Aboard USS Pampanito (SS 383)
USS Michael Murphy - U.S. Navy's Newest Destroyer
Massive Chinese Nuclear Submarine Base Discovered
Chinese Sub Sneaks Under USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63)
No Chinese Song For Me!
Classes of Submarines in the U.S. Navy
U.S. Navy - main website
History of Submarines in the U.S. Navy
U.S. Navy Jobs
USS Pampanito (SS 383)
On Eternal Patrol - Lost Boat and Submariner Memorial
The first USS New Hampshire, square-rigged sailing ship-of-the-line
The second USS New Hampshire (BB-25)
Flight Officer Thomas McGuiness, Jr., American Airlines Flight 11
Military Presidio of San Francisco - Complete Guide
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