USS Daniel Boone (SSBN-629)

USS "Daniel Boone" (SSBN-629), a "James Madison"-class ballistic missile submarine, was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Daniel Boone (1734–1820), the pioneer and frontiersman.

(A destroyer named USS "Daniel Boone" has appeared as a location in the television show JAG. Her part is played by USS "Arleigh Burke" (DDG-51).)

The contract to build her was awarded to Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 21 July 1961 and her keel was laid down on 6 February 1962. She was launched on 22 June 1963 sponsored by Mrs. James H. Wakelin, Jr., and commissioned on 23 April 1964, with Commander George P. Steele, III, in command of the Blue Crew and Lieutenant Commander Alan B. Crabtree in command of the Gold Crew.

:"30 year of history go here"

On 7 April 1987 "Daniel Boone" ran aground in the James River at Newport News, Virginia.

"Daniel Boone" was decommissioned on 18 February 1994 and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 18 February 1994. Ex-"Daniel Boone" entered the Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program in Bremerton, Washington, and on 4 November 1994 ceased to exist.

Note

Mrs. James Wakelin was the wife of Dr. James H. Wakelin, Jr.,a physicist, who was the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research and Development from 1959 until 1964.

References