USS Benjamin Franklin (SSBN-640)

USS "Benjamin Franklin" [http://www.ssbn640.com (SSBN 640)] , the lead ship of her class of ballistic missile submarine, was the only submarine of the United States Navy to be named for Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790), the American journalist, publisher, author, philanthropist, abolitionist, public servant, scientist, librarian, diplomat, and inventor. Five other ships in the United States Navy have been named for Benjamin Franklin.

The contract to build her was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut on 1 November 1962 and her keel was laid down on 25 May 1963. She was launched on 5 December 1964, sponsored by Mrs. Francis L. Moseley and Mrs. Leon V. Chaplin, and commissioned on 22 October 1965, with Captain Donald M. Miller commanding the Blue Crew and Commander Ross N. Williams commanding the Gold Crew.

On 6 December 1965 the Gold Crew successfully launched a Polaris A-3 missile in close coordination with an orbital pass of the Gemini 7 astronauts Frank Borman and Jim Lovell [ [http://www.ssbn640.com/640techdesc.htm USS Benjamin Franklin - SSBN 640 ] ] .

"Benjamin Franklin" was decommissioned on 23 November 1993 and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 23 November 1993. Ex-"Benjamin Franklin" entered the Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program in Bremerton, Washington, and on 21 August 1995 ceased to exist.

See also

* USS Franklin, for other ships named for Benjamin Franklin

References