USS Connecticut (SSN-22)
USS Connecticut (SSN-22), a Seawolf-class submarine, was the fifth ship of the United States Navy to be named for the fifth state. 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, with Captain Larry Davis in command. In April 2003, Connecticut surfaced through the Arctic ice at the University of Washington's Applied Physics Laboratory Ice Station (APLIS). While there, she was attacked by a polar bear, which gnawed on her rudder for a while before disengaging. Connecticut was able to complete her mission and return to base under her own power.
On 31 March 2004 Connecticut put to sea in support of the War on Terrorism as part of the Wasp Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG), returning to NSB New London on 2 September with Thin Lizzy's "The Boys are Back in Town," blasting through a pair of loudspeakers mounted on the bridge. See USS Connecticut for other ships of the same name.
References
Based on the Naval Vessel Register and various press releases.
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