SSN 777 Christening ceremony 21 April 2007

Nuclear Attack Submarine NORTH CAROLINA (SSN 777)

On 11 December 2000, the Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Richard Danzig, announced that the fourth unit of the VIRGINIA Class nuclear attack submarine would be named for the State of North Carolina.

While primary responsibility for the construction of the submarine was assigned to Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock, Newport News, Virginia, the modular construction techniques allow the two participating shipyards, Newport News and Electric Boat, Groton, Connecticut, to build selected modules and ship them to the other shipyard to be joined together. Construction of modules for NORTH CAROLINA began in October 2001.

The first major milestone for the Submarine NORTH CAROLINA was the keel authentication ceremony held at the shipyard on 22 May 2004. The submarine's sponsor, Mrs. Linda Bowman, wife of Admiral Frank L. "Skip" Bowman USN (Ret), the former Director, Naval Reactors, inscribed her initials on a section of the pressure hull that were, subsequently, duplicated in weld by a shipyard worker who, uniquely, resides in North Carolina. The pressure hull welding completed in September 2006, with work on the interior of the submarine continuing.

In October 2006, the officer named as the first commanding officer, CDR Mark E. Davis USN, reported onboard.

On 21 April 2007, in a traditional ceremony, the submarine was christened by sponsor, Linda Ann Rich Bowman, as she broke a bottle sparkling wine on the hull. Pictures and more details of the christening ceremony are available HERE.

Two weeks later, on 5 May, the submarine was lowered into the water for the first time and moved to a fitting out pier to complete her construction.

Over the next six months all systems were brought online and tested, leading to initial light off of the nuclear reactor. On 12 November 2007 the crew officially moved aboard and enjoyed their first meal.

On 12 December 2007, NORTH CAROLINA got underway for her first builder's sea trials. The highly successful trials led to her second builder's trials just before Christmas. Following the third and final round of builder's sea trials in February, Northrop Grumman delivered the Submarine to the Navy on 21 February 2008.

The Submarine's final major milestone was her commissioning on Saturday 3 May 2008 in her home state of North Carolina at the State Port, Wilmington. The principal speaker was Dr. Donald C. Winter, Secretary of the Navy.

USS NORTH CAROLINA's homeport is now Groton, CT.