>From the “Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships,” 

(1970) Vol. 5, p.16.





NARWHAL



		Narwhal:  A gray and white arctic whale which 

averages 20 feet in length.  The male has a long, twisted 

ivory tusk of commercial value.





SSN-671



Displacement:  

	Surfaced:  3,800 t.

	Submerged:  4,600 t.

Length:  292’3”

Beam:  31’8”

Draft:  29’

Complement:  107

Armament:  4 21” torpedo tubes; SUBROC

Class:  STURGEON



	The third NARWHAL was laid down 17 January 1966 by 

General Dynamics Corp., Groton, Conn.; launched 9 September 

1967; sponsored by Mrs. Glynn R. Donaho; and commissioned 12 

July 1969, with Comdr. W. A. Matson in command.



	The NARWHAL is the largest "straight" nuclear-powered 

attack submarine yet built by the U.S. Navy.  She has a new 

type of reactor that will enable her to steam longer, and 

further than any other submarine in existence.  This new 

reactor considerably reduces the noise level of a submarine 

and makes the NARWHAL, at the time of commissioning, the 

quietest submarine in the U.S. Naval service.



	[NARWHAL was deactivated, while still in commission, on 

5 January 1999.  She will be disposed of through the Navy’s 

Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program in 

Bremerton, Washington.



Internet web site:

	United States Naval & Shipbuilding Museum

		www.uss-salem.org/worldnav/usa/decom.htm





Transcribed by Michael Hansen

mhansen2@home.com