Indianapolis (SSN 697)

The capital of Indiana.

III

(SSN 697: displacement 6,154 (full load), 5,784 (light); length 362'; beam 33'; draft 32' (maximum navigational); speed 25+ knots; complement 127; armament Tomahawk, Mk. 48 torpedoes; class Los Angeles)

The third Indianapolis (SSN 697) was laid down on 19 October 1974 at Groton, Ct., by the Electric Boat Division of the General Dynamics Corp.; launched on 30 July 1977 (the anniversary of the loss of the heavy cruiser Indianapolis during World War II); sponsored by Mrs. William G. [Esther] Bray, wife of former Congressman William G. Bray of Indiana; delivered on 30 November 1979; and commissioned at the U.S. Naval Submarine Base, New London, Ct., on 5 January 1980, Cmdr. Harry P. Salmon, Jr., in command.

Indianapolis off Oahu, with the Honolulu skyline (L) and Diamond Head (R) in the background, in this undated photograph. (Indianapolis (SSN 697) Command History/Operations Report File, Naval History & Heritage Command)

After a career that lasted nearly two decades, Indianapolis was decommissioned and stricken simultaneously from the Naval Vessel Register three days before Christmas of 1998 [22 December] 1998, the ship was disposed-of by recycling.

Indianapolis (SSN 697) was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation (accorded her during her inactivation ceremony on 17 February 1998) for her operations between 1 April and 1 September 1997 and the Humanitarian Service Medal for her rescue of 30 Vietnamese refugees -- some of whom were in very poor physical condition and all lacking fresh water or food -- on 12 April 1982.

Placeholder entry; remainder of Indianapolis (SSN 697) history under construction and will be posted as soon as practicable.

09/30/2013
Robert J. Cressman