USS Honolulu (SSN-718)

USS Honolulu, probably during sea trials off the United States East Coast in 1984.
History
United States
NameUSS Honolulu
NamesakeHonolulu, Hawaii
Awarded15 September 1977
BuilderNewport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, Virginia
Laid down10 November 1981
Launched24 September 1983
Sponsored byMrs. Joan B. Clark
Commissioned6 July 1985
Decommissioned2 November 2007[1]
Stricken2 November 2007
HomeportPuget Sound Naval Shipyard
MottoMaka 'Ala Mau (Hawaiian for "Always on Alert")
FateDisposed of by submarine recycling (except her bow)
Badge
General characteristics
Class and typeLos Angeles-class submarine
Displacement5,700 tons light, 6,068 tons full, 368 tons dead
Length110.3 m (361 ft 11 in)
Beam10 m (32 ft 10 in)
Draft9.4 m (30 ft 10 in)
PropulsionS6G nuclear reactor
Complement12 officers, 98 enlisted
Armament4 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes

USS Honolulu (SSN-718), was a Los Angeles-class submarine, and the third ship of the United States Navy to be named for Honolulu, Hawaii. The contract to build her was awarded to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia on 15 September 1977 and her keel was laid down on 10 November 1981. She was launched on 24 September 1983 sponsored by Mrs. Joan B. Clark, and commissioned on 6 July 1985, with Commander Robert M. Mitchell in command.

Honolulu featured unique split stern planes that operated from independent hydraulic systems. With this redundant configuration, the inboard and outboard planes could be operated independently, preventing a failure of one or the other from causing an uncontrolled dive.

Honolulu's patrols were commemorated by ten surfboards signed by the crews aboard her at the time. The latest three were kept on board the submarine; the other seven are stored at Pearl Harbor.

Honolulu held a farewell ceremony in Pearl Harbor on 15 April 2006, that included remarks by Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Lieutenant Governor Duke Aiona, U.S. Pacific Fleet commander Admiral Gary Roughead and former Honolulu commanding officer Vice Admiral Jonathan Greenert. Honolulu put to sea in early May 2006 for her final patrol. Her last patrol ended at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in October 2006 where she was placed on stand down, on her way to decommissioning.

  1. ^ "HONOLULU (SSN 718)".