From the “Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships,” (1976) Vol. 6, p.560.

DLGN-37 Displacement: 10,000 t. Length: 585’0" Beam: 63’0" draft: 30’6" Speed: 30 k. (trials) Complement: 497 Armament: 2 5"; 2 missile launchers; Standard missile; Harpoon; Tartar; ASROC; 2 21" torpedo tubes Class: CALIFORNIA

The fifth SOUTH CAROLINA (DLGN-37), a nuclear powered guided missile frigate, was laid down on 1 December 1970 by Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co., at Newport News, Va.; launched on 1 July 1972; sponsored by Mrs. J. Fred Buzhardt; and commissioned on 25 January 1975, Capt. William C. Neel in command.

Upon commissioning, SOUTH CAROLINA steamed to Charleston, S.C., to repeat the traditional post-commissioning visit to the state of South Carolina. There she received a silver service for the wardroom symbolic of the close ties between the frigate and her namesake state. Immediately thereafter, SOUTH CAROLINA joined the Atlantic Fleet nuclear task force, operating out of Norfolk, Va. As of May 1975, she remained so employed.

[Reclassified guided missile cruiser, CGN-37, on 30 June 1975, SOUTH CAROLINA was scheduled for decommissioning in 1998 or 1999. These plans may be deferred and the ship see active service into the 21st century. K. Jack Bauer and Stephen S. Roberts, “Register of Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1775-1990,” p.217. “Jane’s Fighting Ships, 1997-98,” p.810.]