USS Charlotte (SSN-766)

USS "Charlotte" (SSN-766), a "Los Angeles"-class submarine, is the fourth ship of the United States Navy to be named for Charlotte, North Carolina. The contract to build her was awarded to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia on 6 February 1987 and her keel was laid down on 17 August 1990. She was launched on 3 October 1992 sponsored by Mrs. Mary McComack, and commissioned on 16 September 1994, with Commander Michael Matthews in command.

"Charlotte" is a MOSUB (Mother Submarine) for the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) and is also capable of launching and recovering the Advanced SEAL Delivery System (ASDS).

History

On 29 November 2005, "Charlotte" arrived in Norfolk, Virginia, having taken the northern route from Pearl Harbor, under the Arctic ice cap. Along the way, she surfaced at the North Pole through 61 inches of ice, a record for a "Los Angeles"-class submarine.Cite web|url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=21223|title= USS Charlotte Achieves Milestone During Under-Ice Transit|accessdate=2007-10-25|author=Dave Ozeck, Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet Public Affairs]

On 24 October 2007, "Charlotte" returned to Pearl Harbor from Norfolk Naval Shipyard after nearly two years in a Depot Modernization Period. [cite web
url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=32796
title=USS Charlotte Returns to Pearl Harbor
author=Cynthia Clark
date=2007-10-25]

"Charlotte" in Fiction

In Tom Clancy's book "Debt of Honor", USS "Charlotte" is sunk by the Japanese sub "Harushio" along with her sister ship USS "Asheville".

USS "Charlotte" also makes an appearance in Dan Brown's novel "Deception Point", where it plays an important role making covert missions in the Arctic Circle.

A fictional vessel named "Charlotte" appears in the movie "National Treasure." Said ship dates to the revolutionary era.

References