USS Charlotte (SSN-766), a Los Angeles-class
submarine, is the fourth ship of the United States Navy to be named for
Charlotte, North Carolina. The contract to build her was awarded to Newport
News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia on 6 February
1987 and her keel was laid down on 17 August 1990. She was launched on
3 October 1992 sponsored by Mrs. Mary McComack, and commissioned on 16
September 1994, with Commander Michael Matthews in command. The current
commanding officer is Commander Richard Young.
History
Charlotte at the north pole |
On 29 November 2005, Charlotte arrived in Norfolk,
Virginia, having taken the northern route from Pearl Harbor, under the
Arctic ice cap. Along the way, she surfaced at the North Pole through 61
inches of ice, a record for a Los Angeles-class submarine.
On 24 October 2007, Charlotte returned to Pearl
Harbor from Norfolk Naval Shipyard after nearly two years in a Depot Modernization
Period. |
Charlotte in Fiction
In Tom Clancy's book Debt of Honor, USS Charlotte
is sunk by the Japanese sub Harushio along with her sister ship USS Asheville.
USS Charlotte also makes an appearance in Dan
Brown's novel Deception Point, where it plays an important role making
covert missions in the Arctic Circle.
|
Name: |
USS Charlotte |
Ordered: |
6 February 1987 |
Builder: |
Newport News |
Laid down: |
17 August 1990 |
Launched: |
3 October 1992 |
Commissioned: |
16 September 1994 |
Speed:
|
20 knots plus surfaced
30 knots plus submerged |
Class & type: |
Los Angeles submarine |
Displacement:
surfaced
submerged |
6,000 long tons (6,096
t)
6,927 long tons (7,038 t) |
Length: |
361 ft 11in (110.3 m) |
Beam: |
32 ft 10in (10 m) |
Complement: |
110 |
|
|