Executive Officer - Lt. Cmdr. Peter French
Chief of the Boat - MMCS(SS) Sean Craycraft
Statistics
Length: 360 feet Breadth: 33 feet Displacement: 6,900 tons Speed: Greater than 25 knots Depth: Greater than 800 feet Keel Laid: Aug. 1, 1979 Launched: Oct. 31, 1981 Commissioned: May 21, 1983 Complement: 127 officers and enlisted crew
History
The nuclear powered, fast attack submarine USS Norfolk (SSN 741) is the third naval vessel to be named after the City of Norfolk, Va.
The first Norfolk was a brigantine built by the City of Norfolk during hostilities with France in 1798. On Oct. 25, 1798, Norfolk and two other vessels sailed from the port of Hampton Roads for the West Indies. Their purpose was to destroy French armed vessels and protect American maritime commerce. She was decommissioned and sold in November 1800.
The second USS Norfolk (DL 1) was a submarine hunter killer ship and was the first major warship built after World War II. Its keel was laid Sept. 1, 1949, launched Dec. 29, 1951 and commissioned March 4, 1953. It was designed to carry the latest sonar, radar, and weapons control system. As a large destroyer designed on a light cruiser hull, it could carry a greater variety of detection equipment than a true destroyer and was much better suited for operating in all weather conditions. It was decommissioned Jan. 15, 1970.
Related Stories
Nov. 3, 2012 - USS Norfolk Returns from Deployment
Nov. 18, 2011 - Norfolk’s Namesake Ship Changes Command
Dec. 15, 2010 - Norfolk Admirals Visit USS Norfolk
Dec. 3, 2010 - USS Norfolk Sailors Participate in Namesake Community Project