USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul (SSN-708) - Definition and Overview

USS_Minneapolis-St._Paul_(SSN-708).jpg USS Minneapolis-St. Paul (SSN-708)
Career
Awarded:	31 October 1973
Laid down:	20 January 1981
Launched:	19 March 1983
Commissioned:	10 March 1984
Fate:	Active in service as of 2005.
Homeport:	NS Norfolk, Virginia
General Characteristics
Displacement:	5695 tons light, 6068 tons full, 373 tons dead
Length:	110.3 meters (362 feet)
Beam:	10 meters (33 feet)
Draft:	9.7 meters (32 feet)
Propulsion:	one S6G reactor
Complement:	12 officers, 98 men

USS Minneapolis–Saint Paul (SSN-708), a Los Angeles-class submarine, was the first vessel of the United States Navy to be named for the metropolitan area of Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota, although each city had been honored twice before. The contract to build her was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut on 31 October 1973 and her keel was laid down on 20 January 1981. She was launched on 19 March 1983 sponsored by Mrs. Penny Durenberger (wife of Senator David Durenberger), and commissioned on 10 March 1984, with Commander Ralph Schlichter in command.

While Minneapolis-St. Paul was the first vessel named for the Twin Cities as a whole, she is the third ship to be named for Minneapolis as well as the third to be named for St. Paul. The previous St. Paul, CA-73, was the last big-gun heavy cruiser in the United States Navy, and held the distinction of having fired the final shot of World War Two.

Minneapolis–Saint Paul took part in Operation Desert Shield and the Gulf War and was the first submarine to carry Tomahawk missiles specifically designated for use in strikes against Iraq during the Gulf War.

References

This article includes information collected from the Naval Vessel Register and various press releases.