Naval Submarine Base New London

Last updated
Naval Submarine Base New London
Groton, Connecticut
US Naval Submarine Base New London patch.png
TypeMilitary base
Site information
OwnerFlag of the United States.svg  United States of America
Controlled byFlag of the United States Navy (official).svg  United States Navy
Site history
In use1868–present

Naval Submarine Base New London is the primary United States Navy East Coast submarine base, also known as the "Home of the Submarine Force." It is located in Groton, Connecticut directly across the Thames River from its namesake city of New London.

Contents

History

In 1868, the State of Connecticut gave the Navy exactly 112 acres (0.45 km2) of land along the Thames River in Groton to build a Naval Station. Due to a lack of federal funding, it was not until 1872 that the two brick buildings and a T-shaped pier were constructed and officially declared a Navy Yard. In 1898, Congress approved a coaling station to be built at the Yard for refueling small naval ships traveling through the waters of New England. The Navy Yard was first used for laying up inactive ships. The Congressional appropriations were small and the Navy had little need for the yard, which was closed from 1898 to 1900 and its personnel reassigned. By 1912, oil replaced coal in warships and again the Yard was scheduled for closure and the land relinquished by the Navy.

Submarine base established

The Navy Yard was spared permanent closure in 1912 by an impassioned plea from Congressman Edwin W. Higgins of Norwich, who was worried about the loss of Federal spending in the region. On 13 October 1915, the monitor Ozark, a submarine tender, and four submarines arrived in Groton. Additional submarines and support craft arrived the following year, and the facility was named as the Navy's first submarine base. The first commander of the Yard was retired Commodore Timothy A. Hunt, who was recalled to service. He was living in New Haven, and he used the Central Hotel on State Street, New London when in town to attend to Yard duties on an "as needed" basis. The submarine base is physically located in the Town of Groton, but New London became associated with it because the base had its main offices and housing in New London.[ citation needed ] Following World War I, the Navy established schools and training facilities at the base.

Wartime expansion

The Base property expanded during the latter part of World War I. Congress since approved over a million dollars for Base real estate and facilities expansion. By the end of the war, 81 buildings had been built to support 1,400 men and 20 submarines, although the land expansion was slowed through much of the 1920s. However, the Great Depression of the 1930s saw an expansion and enhancement of the physical plant of the Base. President Franklin D. Roosevelt created a series of Federal Government employment programs that contributed significantly to the Submarine Base.

Over 26 high quality warehouses, barracks, and workshops were built at the base under these Federal job-spending programs. The second largest expansion of the Base occurred during World War II, when it grew from 112 acres to 497 acres (2.01 km2). The Submarine Force leaped in size, and the Base accommodated thousands of men to serve the growing combat fleet. Immediately after World War II, the Submarine Force was significantly reduced and many submarines were sent into storage. Most of the World War II fleet was sold for scrap metal during the early 1960s.

1968 aerial view of Naval Submarine Base New London looking north US Naval Submarine Base New London aerial photo c1968.jpg
1968 aerial view of Naval Submarine Base New London looking north

From 1930 to 1994, the most recognizable structure on the base was the 100-foot-tall (30 m) Escape Training Tank. Generations of submariners learned to escape in up to 80 feet (24 m) of water using buoyant ascent, and were trained in the use of the Momsen lung or Steinke hood. In 2007, the Escape Training Tank was replaced by the Submarine Escape Trainer, which has two types of escape trunks in up to 40 feet (12 m) of water. The Steinke hood was replaced by the Submarine Escape Immersion Equipment in the 2000s. [1]

Submarine school

The New London Base is homeport to 16 attack submarines and full Navy base situated in Groton, Connecticut. The Base is also neighbor to the major submarine construction yard of General Dynamics' Electric Boat Division. All officer and enlisted submariners are stationed at Groton during their training, except for nuclear trained Electronics Technicians (ETs), Electrician's Mates (EMs), and Machinist's Mates (MMs). Enlisted sailors attending sub school will first go through Basic Enlisted Sub School (BESS), an eight-week program that teaches the rigours of undersea life. BESS includes training in shoring, patching leaks and ruptured pipes, firefighting, and boat handling techniques. After BESS, sailors will either go to a boat or to follow-on schools.

The main base occupies more than 687 acres (2.78 km2) plus over 530 acres (2.1 km2) of family housing. It also supports more than 70 tenant commands, including Naval Submarine School (NAVSUBSCOL), Naval Submarine Support Facility (NSSF), three Submarine Squadron staffs, and the housing and support facilities for more than 21,000 civilian workers, active-duty service members, and their families.

Base realignment and proposed closure

On 13 May 2005, the Pentagon recommended that the base be closed. [2] After review, the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission voted on 24 August 2005 to strike New London from the list of possible closures, thus allowing the base to remain open. [3]

Garrison

Current units stationed at NSBNL include: [4] [5]


See also

Related Research Articles

USS <i>Memphis</i> (SSN-691) Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine of the US Navy

USS Memphis (SSN-691), a Los Angeles-class submarine, was the sixth ship of the United States Navy to be named for Memphis, Tennessee. The contract to build her was awarded to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia on 4 February 1971 and her keel was laid down on 23 June 1973. She was launched on 3 April 1976 sponsored by Mrs. Cathy Beard, wife of Congressman Robin L. Beard, Jr., and commissioned on 17 December 1977, with Commander G. Dennis Hicks in command.

USS <i>Annapolis</i> (SSN-760) Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine of the US Navy

USS Annapolis (SSN-760), is the tenth "improved" Los Angeles-class submarine. Annapolis is the fourth ship of the United States Navy to be named for Annapolis, Maryland, site of the United States Naval Academy.

USS <i>Jimmy Carter</i> US Navy Seawolf-class submarine

USS Jimmy Carter (SSN-23) is the third and final Seawolf-class nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine in the United States Navy. Commissioned in 2005, she is named for the 39th president of the United States, Jimmy Carter, the only president to have qualified on submarines. The only submarine to be named for a living president, Jimmy Carter is also one of the few vessels, and only the third submarine of the US Navy, to be named for a living person. Extensively modified from the original design of her class, she is sometimes described as a subclass unto herself.

USS <i>Nautilus</i> (SSN-571) First nuclear-powered submarine of the US Navy, in service from 1954 to 1980

USS Nautilus (SSN-571) was the world's first operational nuclear-powered submarine and the first submarine to complete a submerged transit of the North Pole on 3 August 1958. Her initial commanding officer was Eugene "Dennis" Wilkinson, a widely respected naval officer who set the stage for many of the protocols of today's Nuclear Navy of the US, and who had a storied career during military service and afterwards.

USS <i>Tullibee</i> (SSN-597) Submarine of the United States

USS Tullibee (SSN-597), a unique submarine, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for the tullibee, any of several whitefishes of central and northern North America.

USS <i>Connecticut</i> (SSN-22) Submarine of the United States

USS Connecticut (SSN-22) is a Seawolf-class nuclear powered fast attack submarine operated by the United States Navy. Connecticut is the fifth active United States Ship to be named for the U.S. state of Connecticut, going back to 1776. The contract to build her was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut, on 3 May 1991 and her keel was laid down on 14 September 1992. She was launched on 1 September 1997, sponsored by Patricia L. Rowland, wife of the Governor of Connecticut, John G. Rowland, and commissioned on 11 December 1998.

USS <i>Batfish</i> (SSN-681) Submarine of the United States

USS Batfish (SSN-681), was a nuclear-powered attack submarine of the United States Navy. She was the eleventh Sturgeon-class submarine launched. Her primary missions were anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, and screening carrier battle groups. She was launched in 1971 and decommissioned in 1999.

USS <i>Alexandria</i> (SSN-757) Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine of the US Navy

USS Alexandria (SSN-757), is a Los Angeles class nuclear-powered attack submarine and the third vessel of the United States Navy to be named for both Alexandria, Virginia, and Alexandria, Louisiana. The contract to build her was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation on 26 November 1984. Her keel was laid down in Groton, Connecticut, on 19 June 1987. She was launched on 23 June 1990, sponsored by Mrs. Myrtle "Tookie" Clark, wife of Vice Admiral Glenwood Clark (ret.), and commissioned on 29 June 1991. Alexandria was placed in service on 22 March 1991. A series of sea trials began 16 April and were completed 4 June.

USS <i>Columbia</i> (SSN-771) Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine of the US Navy

USS Columbia (SSN-771) is the 21st flight III, or Improved (688i) Los Angeles-class attack submarine of the United States Navy. Commissioned in 1995, the submarine is assigned to Submarine Squadron 7 and homeported in Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

There are three major types of submarines in the United States Navy: ballistic missile submarines, attack submarines, and cruise missile submarines. All submarines currently in the U.S. Navy are nuclear-powered. Ballistic missile submarines have a single strategic mission of carrying nuclear submarine-launched ballistic missiles. Attack submarines have several tactical missions, including sinking ships and subs, launching cruise missiles, and gathering intelligence. Cruise missile submarines perform many of the same missions as attack submarines, but with a focus on their ability to carry and launch larger quantities of cruise missiles than typical attack submarines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Submarine Squadron 4</span> Military unit

Submarine Squadron 4 was raised by the United States Navy in 1930. Since 9 July 1997, the squadron has been based at the Naval Submarine Base New London, Groton, Connecticut, United States of America.

USS <i>Missouri</i> (SSN-780) US Navy Virginia-class submarine

USS Missouri (SSN-780) is the seventh Virginia-class attack submarine and the fourth ship in the United States Navy named in honor of the U.S. state of Missouri. She was completed, and delivered, nine months early and under budget.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic</span> Type Command for U.S. Naval submarine forces operating primarily in the Atlantic

The Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic (COMSUBLANT) is the Submarine Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet type commander under the United States Fleet Forces Command.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Basic Enlisted Submarine School</span> United States Navys school for enlisted submariners

Basic Enlisted Submarine School (BESS) is the U.S. Navy's submarine training school for enlisted sailors. Located on Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, New London County, Connecticut, the school is an eight-week introduction to the basic theory, construction and operation of nuclear-powered submarines. The course includes instruction on shipboard organization, submarine safety and escape procedures. This program requires passing a physical and mental screening. As of 2015, BESS is open to female sailors, including current sailors who wish to join the submarine force by completing the two-month program.

USS <i>Mississippi</i> (SSN-782) US Navy Virginia-class submarine

USS Mississippi (SSN-782) is a Virginia-class submarine of the United States Navy, named for the state of Mississippi. The contract to build her was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut on 14 August 2003. Mississippi's keel was laid down on 9 June 2010. Mississippi was christened on 3 December 2011 at General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut. Allison Stiller, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy, is the ship's sponsor. The submarine was commissioned at a ceremony on 2 June 2012 in Pascagoula, Mississippi. SSN-782 was delivered 12 months ahead of schedule and $60 million below planned cost.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rick West (sailor)</span> 12th Master Chief Petty Officer of the US Navy

Rick D. West is a retired United States Navy sailor who served as the 12th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy.

USS <i>Illinois</i> (SSN-786) US Navy Virginia-class submarine

USS Illinois (SSN-786) is a Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine in the United States Navy. Named for the State of Illinois, she is the third vessel with the name, the previous two being battleships BB-7 and BB-65, which was never completed. She was built by the Electric Boat division of General Dynamics, the third of their Block III variants which feature a revised bow and technology from the converted sub-class of Ohio guided missile submarines (SSGN). The contract for the build was awarded on 22 December 2008 to Huntington Ingalls Industries in partnership with Electric Boat, and construction commenced with the keel laying ceremony on 2 June 2014, at their yard in Groton, Connecticut. First Lady Michelle Obama served as the ship's sponsor, and christened the boat on 10 October 2015. Illinois was launched on 8 August 2015 and completed sea trials on 2 August 2016. She was delivered to the Navy on 27 August 2016 and commissioned in a ceremony at Naval Submarine Base New London on 29 October 2016. Then-First Lady Michelle Obama, as the sponsor, attended the ceremony and is considered to be an honorary member of the crew due to her support of military families and her involvement with the Illinois crew and their families.

Submarine Squadron 7 is a squadron of submarines of the United States Navy based at Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam, Pearl Harbor, HI under the command of Captain Dave Cox.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naval Support Activity Charleston</span> Base of the United States Navy

Naval Support Activity Charleston, originally designated Naval Weapons Station Charleston, is a base of the United States Navy located on the west bank of the Cooper River, in the cities of Goose Creek and Hanahan South Carolina. The base encompasses more than 17,000 acres (69 km²) of land with 10,000 acres (40 km²) of forest and wetlands, 16-plus miles of waterfront, four deep-water piers, 38.2 miles (61.5 km) of railroad and 292 miles (470 km) of road. The current workforce numbers more than 11,000 with an additional 3,600 people in on-base family housing.

USS <i>Hyman G. Rickover</i> (SSN-795) US Navy Virginia-class submarine

USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN-795), is a Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine of the United States Navy and the second such boat commemorating Admiral Hyman G. Rickover, pioneer of the nuclear navy. The boat's sponsor is Darleen Greenert, wife of then Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Jonathan Greenert. Both the boat's name and her sponsor were announced by the Secretary of the Navy at a ceremony at the Washington Navy Yard on 9 January 2015. Hyman G. Rickover's christening occurred on 31 July 2021, and she was commissioned on 14 October 2023, during a ceremony at Naval Submarine Base New London, in Groton, Connecticut.

References

  1. ↑ www.navy.mil "Submarine Escape Trainer Completed", 2 November 2007, retrieved 11 February 2014
  2. ↑ "All-Navy, Groton Is Stunned at Plans to Close Its Sub Base". The New York Times. May 16, 2005. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
  3. ↑ Samuels, Christina A. (August 30, 2005). "School Districts Rejoice as Two Bases Spared Closing". Education Week. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
  4. ↑ CurrentOps.com. "Naval Submarine Base New London". currentops.com. Retrieved 2020-07-20.
  5. ↑ "The US Navy – Fact File: Attack Submarines – SSN". www.navy.mil. Retrieved 2020-07-20.
  6. ↑ Affairs, This story was written by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Steven Myers, Commander Submarine Group 2 Public. "Submarine Group 2 Holds Change of Command". www.navy.mil. Retrieved 2020-07-20.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ↑ "Submarines, Squadrons and Tenant Commands". Commander Submarine Group 2. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  8. ↑ "Navy Silently Commissions Nuclear Attack Boats USS Vermont, USS Delaware". USNI News. 2020-04-20. Retrieved 2020-07-20.
  9. ↑ Smallheer, Susan (2018-10-17). "Putney sparkling wine to christen USS Vermont". The Brattleboro Reformer. Retrieved 2018-10-24.
  10. ↑ https://www.usff.navy.mil/Press-Room/News-Stories/Article/3047209/navy-commissions-uss-oregon-ssn-793/#:~:text=GROTON%2C%20Connecticut%20%E2%80%93%20The%20Navy%20commissioned,our%20state%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Gov.
  11. ↑ "Navy Commissions USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 795)". United States Navy. Retrieved 2023-11-09.

41°23′53″N72°05′13″W / 41.398115°N 72.086964°W / 41.398115; -72.086964

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.