USS Connecticut - Definition and Overview

Five ships of the United States Navy have been named USS Connecticut in honor of Connecticut, the fifth state to join the Union:

• The first Connecticut, a gondola, served with the Continental Army on Lake Champlain during the American Revolutionary War.

• The second Connecticut, 26, served during the Quasi-War.

• The third Connecticut was a sidewheel steamer launched in 1861 that saw action in the American Civil War.

• The fourth Connecticut (BB-18), lead ship of her class of battleship, sailed with the Great White Fleet and saw action during World War I.

• The fifth Connecticut (SSN-22) is the second Seawolf-class submarine.

In addition to the five ships officially and permanently named USS Connecticut, there were two that had the name at one point:

• Pompanoosuc, a screw steamer, was renamed Connecticut while still in the ways; she was condemned and broken up before ever being launched.

• A monitor was named Connecticut while under construction, but was commissioned as Nevada. A few year later, she was renamed Tonopah, and served as a submarine tender under that name during World War I.