USS Norfolk (SSN-714)

Template:Short description Template:Other ships Template:Use dmy dates

Template:Infobox ship image Template:Infobox ship career Template:Infobox ship characteristics

USS Norfolk (SSN-714), a Template:Sclass attack submarine, was the third ship of the United States Navy to be named for Norfolk, Virginia.

History

The contract to build her was awarded to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia on 20 February 1976 and her keel was laid down on 1 August 1979. She was launched on 31 October 1981 sponsored by Mrs. Caspar Weinberger, and commissioned on 21 May 1983.

Norfolk conducted extensive trials of the next-generation torpedo, ADCAP, as well as advanced and secret acoustic experiments. The ship also made an active deployment during one of the final spurts of activity from the declining Soviet navy. On 23 July 1988 Norfolk fired the first ADCAP torpedo, sinking the ex-Template:USS.<ref name=":0" />

On 17 January 1989, Norfolk collided with the combat stores ship Template:USS in the Thimble Shoals channel as both vessels were headed to sea.<ref name=DANFS /> Norfolk struck her starboard side into the port side of San Diego. There were no injuries, but both ships suffered damage. NorfolkTemplate:'s commanding officer was subsequently relieved of command.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The sub made a surface transit to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay for drydocking and repairs within a few days,<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> and San Diego required dry dock repairs that were completed 10 April 1989.<ref name=DANFS>Template:Cite DANFS</ref> As a result of this collision, COMSUBLANT issued orders limiting submarine speed and passing activities while in the restricted waters of the Hampton Roads channels.Template:Citation needed

On 25 August 2004, Norfolk returned to Naval Station Norfolk after a 22-month Engineering Refueling Overhaul (ERO) at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine.

Norfolk was decommissioned on 11 December 2014 at her homeport of Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> This ship is in the process of being defueled.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>