USS Henry Clay (SSBN-625)

USS "Henry Clay" (SSBN-625), a "Lafayette"-class ballistic missile submarine, was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Henry Clay (1777–1852), the American statesman and orator.

The contract to build her was awarded to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia on 3 February 1961 and her keel was laid down on 23 October 1961. She was launched on 30 November 1962 sponsored by Mrs. Green B. Gibson, and commissioned on 20 February 1964, with Commander Thomas A Bryce in command of the Blue Crew and Commander John C. Lewis in command of the Gold Crew.

During December 1986, the USS "Henry Clay" (Gold) made a port call at Plymouth, England, the only port call the submarine's Gold Crew made between April 1985 and October 1987.

The department heads on the "Henry Clay" (Gold) between 1985 and 1987 were Gordon Hendrich (Navigator) and Bill Hays (Engineer). Michael McGherity was the Weapons Officer.

In 1987, the USS "Henry Clay" Gold Crew underwent an unannounced Operational Reactor Safeguards Examination ("ORSE"). Edward Warren was the Commanding Officer and Don Hayes was the Executive Officer. Two of the three ORSE Engineering Officers of the Watch were LT (j.g.) Tom Wears and LT Michael Donner. The "Henry Clay" received an EXCELLENT grade, one of only two submarines in the Atlantic Fleet up to that date to receive an EXCELLENT on an unannounced ORSE (the USS|Hyman G. Rickover|SSN-709 was the other).

"Henry Clay" was decommissioned on 5 November 1990 and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 5 November 1990. Ex-"Henry Clay" entered the Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program in Bremerton, Washington, and on 30 September 1997 ceased to exist. For additional information: [http://boomer.user-services.com/Welcome.html]

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