USS Daniel Webster (SSBN-626)
USS Daniel Webster (SSBN-626), a
Lafayette-class ballistic missile submarine, was the only ship of the
United States Navy to be named for Senator
Daniel Webster (
1782–
1852).
The contract to build her was awarded to the
Electric Boat Division of
General Dynamics Corporation in
Groton, Connecticut on
3 February 1961 and her keel was laid down on
28 December 1961. She was
launched on
27 April 1963 sponsored by Mrs. W. Osborn Goodrich, Jr., and
commissioned on
9 April 1964, with Commander Marvin S. Blair in command of the Blue Crew and Commander Lloyd S. Smith in command of the Gold Crew.
Webster was originally built with planes mounted above the hull near the bow. This unique configuration was an attempt to reduce the effect of porposing, but they increased water resistance and lowered her overall speed. During her first overhaul, these unusual planes were removed and standard fairwater planes were installed.
26 years of history go hereDaniel Webster was decommissioned on
30 August 1990 and stricken from the
Naval Vessel Register the same day. Ex-
Daniel Webster was converted to a Moored Training Ship (S5W Prototype facility), at Naval Nuclear Power Training Unit,
Charleston, South Carolina.