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USS John C. Calhoun

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USS John C. Calhoun (SSBN-630)
USS John C Calhoun SSBN-630
USS John C. Calhoun (SSBN-630) in 1972
History
United States
NamesakeJohn Calhoun, South Carolinian politician
Ordered20 July 1961
BuilderNewport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Newport News, Virginia
Laid down4 June 1962
Launched22 June 1963
Sponsored byMiss Rosalie J. Calhoun
Commissioned15 September 1964
Decommissioned28 March 1994
Stricken28 March 1994
MottoFor Peace, Ready
FateScrapping via Ship-Submarine Recycling Program completed 18 November 1994
General characteristics
Class and typeJames Madison-class submarine
Displacement
  • 7,300 long tons (7,417 t) surfaced
  • 8,250 long tons (8,382 t) submerged
Length425 ft (130 m)
Beam33 ft (10 m)
Draft32 ft (9.8 m)
Installed powerS5W reactor
Propulsion2 × geared steam turbines 15,000 shp (11,185 kW), one shaft
SpeedOver 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Test depth1,300 feet (400 m)
ComplementTwo crews (Blue and Gold) of 13 officers and 130 enlisted men each
Armament

USS John C. Calhoun (SSBN-630), a James Madison-class fleet ballistic missile submarine, was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for John C. Calhoun (1782–1850), the Democratic legislator and statesman.

Construction and commissioning

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The contract to build John C. Calhoun was awarded to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia, on 20 July 1961 and her keel was laid down there on 4 June 1962. She was launched on 22 June 1963 sponsored by Miss Rosalie J. Calhoun,[1] great-great-granddaughter of John C. Calhoun, and commissioned on 15 September 1964, with Commander Deane L. Axene in command of the Blue Crew and Commander Frank A. Thurtell in command of the Gold Crew.

Operational history

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After shakedown and training along the United States East Coast, John C. Calhoun began operational deterrent patrols on 22 March 1965, assigned to Submarine Squadron 18.

History from 1965 to 1994 needed.

From 1979 to 1982, John C. Calhoun received upgrades necessary to enable her to carry the new Trident I ballistic missiles.

Decommissioning and disposal

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John C. Calhoun was decommissioned on 28 March 1994 at Bremerton, Washington, and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register the same day. Her scrapping via the Nuclear-Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program at Bremerton, Washington, was completed on 18 November 1994.

References

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  1. ^ "John C. Calhoun (SSB(N)-630)". Naval History and Heritage Command. U.S. Navy. Retrieved 8 November 2022. sponsored by Miss Rosalie J. Calhoun, great great granddaughter of John C. Calhoun