1977 - SSN 691 (MEMPHIS) Sea Trials Letter

This is the sea trial letter from 10 October 1977 from SSN 691 Memphis:

At sea, North Atlantic - 10 October

Dear Mr. Moss:

We are returning from the first sea trials of the USS MEMPHIS (SSN 691), our 68th nuclear-powered attack submarine. The ship completed all tests, including full power operation, both surfaced and submerged. The MEMPHIS was built by Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company at Newport News, Virginia.

The ship is named for the city in southwestern Tennessee, founded in 1819 by three men: Andrew Jackson, later our seventh President; Samuel Winchester, soldier and politician; and John Overton, jurist and advisor to Jackson. The city was so named because it is situated upon the bluffs of the Mississippi River in a manner similar to Memphis, the capital city of the Old Kingdom of ancient Egypt on the Nile.

The MEMPHIS is the sixth United States ship to bear the name. The first was a steamer chartered by the Navy in 1858 for the Expedition to Paraguay. This was authorized by Congress following Paraguay's unprovoked firing on the U.S. steamer WATER WITCH, then engaged in surveying the Paraná River. The second was captured from the Confederacy in 1862 and was used by the Union Navy in the blockade of Charleston. The third, originally the armored cruiser TENNESSEE, was renamed MEMPHIS in 1916. The fourth, a cruiser commissioned in 1925, was in 1927 assigned to return Charles A. Lindbergh and the Spirit of St. Louis from Europe to the U.S. following the nonstop flight from New York to Paris. During World War II, this ship was on Atlantic convoy patrols. She was decommissioned in December 1945. The fifth, a tanker, was acquired by the Navy from merchant service in 1956 and decommissioned the following year.

The MEMPHIS is one of a new class of nuclear attack submarines capable of attaining speeds higher than any previously achieved by U.S. submarines. She is equipped with advanced sonar and torpedo fire control systems, characteristics which increase her effectiveness. She is capable of operating in direct support of aircraft carriers and other major surface combatants in an escort role. Thirty-two ships of this class have been authorized by Congress.

In addition to 68 attack-type submarines, we also have 41 Polaris ballistic missile-firing submarines, making a total of 109 in operation. When all nuclear submarines presently authorized by Congress are completed, the United States will have 41 Polaris, 7 Trident, and 9 attack submarines.

The Honorable John E. Moss

U.S. House of Representatives