USS La Jolla (SSN-701)

USS "La Jolla" (SSN-701), a "Los Angeles"-class submarine, is the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for La Jolla, California. The contract to build her was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut on 10 December 1973 and her keel was laid down on 16 October 1976. She was launched on 11 August 1979 sponsored by Mrs. Bob Wilson, and commissioned on 30 September 1981, with Captain James R. Lang in command.

In late 1982, about 30 miles out of San Francisco, California, "La Jolla", while at periscope depth, collided with "Permit" (SSN-594), operating on the surface. "La Jolla" suffered minor rudder damage, while putting a ten-foot (3 m) long, three-foot (1 m) wide scrape in the paint on "Permit"’s keel.

"La Jolla" was the first to successfully test fire a Tomahawk cruise missile while submerged at the Pacific Missile Test Center on April 29, 1983.

On 11 February 1998, about 9 miles out of Chinhae, South Korea, "La Jolla" accidentally ran into and sank a 27-ton fishing trawler. The five crewmembers of the trawler were rescued by the crew of "La Jolla". [ [http://navysite.de/ssn/ssn701.htm Accidents of the USS La Jolla on NavySite.de] ]

In 2000, "La Jolla" was modified to carry a Dry Deck Shelter (DDS).

On 23 August 2004, "La Jolla" returned to Pearl Harbor after a six-month deployment in the Pacific Ocean. She conducted port visits in Korea, Japan, Singapore, Saipan, and Guam, and participated in five international exercises, including Pacific Reach 2004.

References

* [http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/SSN701.htm Naval Vessel Register entry]
*DANFS