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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive


Contributed by Mike Smolinski
Radio Call Sign: November - Foxtrot - Uniform - Golf

Alexander Hamilton (SSBN 617)

Lafayette Class Ballistic Missile Submarine:Laid down, 26 June 1961, at the Electric Boat Div., of General Dynamics Corp., Groton, CT.; Launched, 18 August 1962; Commissioned, USS Alexander Hamilton (SSBN 617), 27 June 1963; Decommissioned and struck from the Naval Register, 23 February 1993; Disposed of through Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program, 28 February 1994 at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, WA.

Specifications: Displacement, Surfaced: 7,250 t., Submerged: 8,250 t.; Length 425'; Beam 33'; Draft 32'; Speed, Surfaced/Submerged 20+ kts; Complement 138; Test depth 1,300'; Armament, 16 Polaris missile tubes, four 21" torpedo tubes; Propulsion, S5W Pressurized Water Nuclear Reactor, two geared turbines at 15,000 shp, one propeller.
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For Full Size		SizeImage DescriptionSource
Alexander Hamilton2.26k Alexander Hamilton portrait by John_Trumbull, 1806. Photo courtesy of wikimedia.org
Alexander Hamilton797k(Original Caption) 2/22/1958- Drawn three years ago, this missile-launching submarine is very nearly one of Tinsley's dreams-come-true. The U.S. Navy has recently revealed that its Polaris guided missile is being developed for firing while its sub launching base is underwater. Tinsley's geography can't be faulted, either. He's placed the sub just beyond the polar icecap, where the nuclear-powered Nautilus recently completed an Arctic practice maneuver.
Alexander Hamilton (SSBN-617) is the fictional submarine doing the shooting.		Photo Bettmann Collection/Getty Images, courtesy of gettyimages.com.
Alexander Hamilton293kAlexander Hamilton (SSBN-617) is christened in color & black & white by Mrs. Valentine Hollingsworth, great, great, great granddaughter of Alexander Hamilton.Photo courtesy of Dale Hargrave.
Alexander Hamilton524kAlexander Hamilton (SSBN-617), the nation's 13th nuclear submarine touches water for the first time at her launching at 12:30 today. Ceremony was at General Dynamics / Electric Boat, Groton CT., where she was built. A.P. Wirephotocourtesy of Tommy Trampp.
Alexander Hamilton492k40 Tons of concrete is dropped with a splash to arrest the momentum of the Polaris missile submarine Alexander Hamilton (SSBN-617) as it was launched at the General Dynamics shipyard in Groton CT., 18 August 1962.A.P. Wirephoto courtesy of Tommy Trampp.
Alexander Hamilton212kLaunching program for the Alexander Hamilton (SSBN-617) on 18 August 1962. Photo courtesy of Dale Hargrave.
Alexander Hamilton291k Alexander Hamilton (SSBN-617) sporting a Boston area code during her launch on 18 August 1962.USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Alexander Hamilton493kTopside, starboard bow view of the Alexander Hamilton (SSBN-617) 24 May 1963.USN photo # NPC 1126946 courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Alexander Hamilton108kCommemorative postal cover issued on the occasion of the first day in commission of the Alexander Hamilton (SSBN-617), 27 June 1963.Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
Alexander Hamilton369k Alexander Hamilton (SSBN-617) on 1 July 1963.USN photo # NPC 1079233 courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Alexander Hamilton1.34kAlexander Hamilton (SSBN-617) commissioning at General Dynamics Electric Boat on 27 June 1963. Tecumseh (SSBN-628) is being outfitted alongside. The Nathan Hale (SSBN-623) appears in the top right.Photo from the files of the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum via Darryl L. Baker.
Alexander Hamilton429kAlexander Hamilton (SSBN-617) 12 May 1964.USN photo # NPC 1103073 courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Alexander Hamilton105kCommemorative postal cover issued on the occasion of the first Polaris patrol of the Alexander Hamilton's (SSBN-617) Blue crew, 12 May 1964.Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
Alexander Hamilton280kAlexander Hamilton (SSBN-617) launches a Poseidon missile on 28 May 1975.USN photo # NPC 1126946 courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Alexander Hamilton88kSwim call on the Alexander Hamilton's (SSBN-617) steel beach, 50 miles off the coast of Jacksonville, FL.,April 1982. USN photo contributed by Jim Kimpel.
Alexander Hamilton78kAlexander Hamilton (SSBN-617) tied up alongside the tender Hunley (AS-31). Pic taken from the "Donut" which was where waste oil was pumped, circa 1984. USN photo contributed by Jim Kimpel.
Alexander Hamilton119kThe Blue weapons department of the Alexander Hamilton (SSBN-617) at sunset waiting on the docks after being dropped off by a tug. We had transferred by tug to the boat during our off-crew time to perform MK-48 proficiency testing. I believe it was Andros Island, circa 1983-84. USN photo contributed by Jim Kimpel.
Alexander Hamilton107k Stern view of the Alexander Hamilton (SSBN-617) taken from the tug facing aft after we transferred off the boat after testing, circa 1983-84. USN photo contributed by Jim Kimpel.
Alexander Hamilton317kSonar supervisor Jim Kimpel doing pre-underway checks of the sonar equipment aboard the Alexander Hamilton (SSBN-617), circa 1983-84. USN photo contributed by Jim Kimpel.
Alexander Hamilton2.86kAlexander Hamilton was multilingual, so it is only natural that a 5 page PDF Spanish version of Welcome Aboard the Alexander Hamilton (SSBN-617) should appear. Circa 1989.Photo courtesy of Richard Hoffner.
Alexander Hamilton615kA starboard view of the nuclear-powered strategic missile submarine Alexander Hamilton (SSBN-617) underway on 1 February 1991. USN photo # DN-ST-91-05222, by LCDR C. Larsen, from the Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil & submitted by Bill Gonyo.
Alexander Hamilton36kAlexander Hamilton (SSBN-617), underway, date and place unknown.USN photo contributed by Jim Kimpel.
Alexander Hamilton492k30 years of Alexander Hamilton (SSBN-617). Photo courtesy of Tommy Trampp.
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard625kAn aerial view of four boomers in the early stages of being scrapped out in a graving dock at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Washington, 17 May 1993.
Assuming the 17 May 1993 date is correct and based on recycling data in the June 1995 edition of Naval Proceedings, these are the likely submarines in the photo. Can’t tell which one is which.
On the top port side most likely is the Alexander Hamilton (SSBN-617).
The rest are Henry L. Stimson (SSBN-655),
George Washington Carver (SSBN-656) &
Will Rogers (SSBN-659).

Alexander Hamilton recycling start date was 1 October 1992 & recycling end date was 28 February 1994.
Henry L. Stimson start date was 2 November 1992, end date 28 February 1994.
George Washington Carver start date was 2 November 1992, end date was 12 March 1994.
Will Rogers start date was 2 November 1992, end date 12 August 1994.

Other Comments:
1. Puget Sound Naval Shipyard was only using one dry dock at this time for recycling. Therefore, four submarines in process was the limit.
2. Submarine on the upper left is defueled and the reactor patch is reinstalled. Missile tubes are SALT compliant.
3. Submarine on the lower left is defueled (top of defueling house is open). Missile tubes are SALT compliant.
4. Submarine on the upper right is likely in the process of being defueled. Missile tubes are not SALT compliant.
5. Submarine on the lower left has defueling house in place and maybe the next ship in line for defueling.
Missile tubes are not SALT compliant.

Text I.d. courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
USN photo # DN-ST-95-01860 by Calvin Larsen, from the Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
Reactor Compartments83kTrench 94, Hanford Site, Washington, 1994. Hull sections containing defueled reactor compartments of decommissioned nuclear-powered submarines are put in disposal trenches. Once full, the trench will be filled with dirt and buried. The compartments are expected to retain their integrity for more than 600 years. USN photo submitted by Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
Spent Fuel569kSealed reactor compartments are shipped by barge out of Puget Sound Naval Base down the coast and along the Columbia River to the port of Benton. There the radioactively-contaminated hull sections are transferred to special multiwheeled high-load trailers for transport to the Hanford Reservation in Washington State. Pictured below is the burial ground for spent fuel of the following 77 nuclear reactor submarines as of March 2003:
Patrick Henry (SSBN-599),
Snook (SSN-592),
George Washington (SSBN-598),
Scamp (SSN-588),
Robert E. Lee (SSBN-601),
Thomas Jefferson (SSBN-618),
Theodore Roosevelt (SSBN-600),
Dace (SSN-607),
John Adams (SSBN-620),
Abraham Lincoln (SSBN-602),
Barb (SSN-596),
Ethan Allen (SSBN-608),
Thomas A. Edison (SSBN-610),
Pollack (SSN-603),
Glenard P. Lipscomb (SSN-685),
James Monroe (SSBN-622),
Skipjack (SS-585),
Nathan Hale (SSBN-623),
Plunger (SSN-595),
Shark (SSN-591),
Lafayette (SSBN-616),
Sam Houston (SSBN-609),
Jack (SSN-605),
Haddo (SSN-604),
Tinosa (SSN-606),
Guardfish (SSN-612),
Permit (SSN-594),
Queenfish (SSN-651),
Ulysses S. Grant (SSBN-631),
John Marshall (SSBN-611),
George C. Marshall (SSBN-654),
Flasher (SSN-613),
Guitarro (SSN-665),
Alexander Hamilton (SSBN-617),
George Washington Carver (SSBN-656),
Tecumseh (SSBN-628),
Halibut (SSGN-587),
Will Rogers (SSBN-659),
Henry L. Stimson (SSBN-655),
Daniel Boone (SSBN-629),
Greenling (SSN-614),
John C. Calhoun (SSBN-630),
Casimir Pulaski (SSBN-633),
Skate (SSN-578),
Sargo (SSN-583),
Francis Scott Key (SSBN-657),
Sturgeon (SSN-637),
Benjamin Franklin (SSBN-640),
Swordfish (SSN-579),
Seadragon (SSN-584),
Stonewall Jackson (SSBN-634),
Simon Bolivar (SSBN-641),
Hammerhead (SSN-663),
Mariano G. Vallejo (SSBN-658) ,
Tullibee (SSN-597),
Lewis & Clark (SSBN-644),
Pargo (SSN-650),
Seahorse (SSN-669),
Gurnard (SSN-662),
Flying Fish (SSN-673),
Gato (SSN-615),
Puffer (SSN-652),
Seawolf (SSN-575),
Baton Rouge (SSN-689),
Bergall (SSN-667),
Whale (SSN-638),
Henry Clay (SSBN-625),
James Madison (SSBN-627),
Finback (SSN-670),
Spadefish (SSN-668),
Sunfish (SSN-649),
George Bancroft (SSBN-643),
Grayling (SSN-646),
Pintado (SSN-672),
Tunny (SSN-682),
Archerfish (SSN-678),
& Woodrow Wilson (SSBN-624).
As time passes & more boats are retired from service and their reactors are brought here, so the numbers rise. In this photo dated November 2009, 98 nuclear submarines and six nuclear cruisers have been recycled. For an up to date view, click here		USN photo submitted by Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
Insert link courtesy of wikimedia.org
View the Alexander Hamilton (SSBN 617)
DANFS history entry located on the Haze Gray & Underway Web Site.
Crew Contact And Reunion Information
CONTACT:
Frank Bonafede
157 Via Montisi, Santee CA 92071
619-306-0324
SSBN-617@HullNumber.com
U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation
Fleet Reserve Association
Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
FAS - SSBN-616 Lafayette Class FBM Submarines

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