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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive
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Francis Scott Key (SSBN-657)

Radio Call Sign: November - Foxtrot - Sierra - Kilo
Benjamin Franklin Class Ballistic Missile Submarine: Laid down, 5 December 1964, at the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corp., Groton, CT.; Launched, 23 April 1966; Commissioned, USS Francis Scott Key (SSBN 657), 3 December 1966; Decommissioned and struck from the Naval Register, 21 September 1993; Disposed of through the Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program, 1 September 1995 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 120; Test depth 1,300'; Armament, 16 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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Francis Scott Key140k Francis Scott Key (1 August 1779 – 11 January 1843) was an American lawyer, author, and amateur poet, from Georgetown, who wrote the words to the United States national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner". Photo from the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540, courtesy of Bill Gonyo.
Francis Scott Key85k An aerial view of historic Fort McHenry guarding the Baltimore harbor entrance. It was here, in August 1814, that Francis Scott Key wrote the National Anthem at dawn's early light after he had watched British naval forces bombard the fort all night long without forcing its surrender. The American defends unfurled a large American flag and the British Admiral in charge gave up and sailed home. USN photo # DN-SC-95-00566, by Don S. Montgomery & Marty Goppert, Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
Francis Scott Key171kNuclear submarine lineup depicting the current 19 different types.US Navy photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Francis Scott Key245kThe Francis Scott Key (SSBN-657) was sponsored by Mrs. Marjory Key Thorne and Mrs. William T. Jarvis, grand daughter & great grand-daughter of Francis Scott Key.US Navy photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Photo added 04/29/12.
Francis Scott Key89kWith an escort of seagulls, the Francis Scott Key (SSBN-657) is waterborne at the end of the launching ways at the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corp., Groton, CT., 23 April 1966.
USN photo.
Francis Scott Key97kCommemorative postal cover marking the Francis Scott Key's (SSBN-657) launching, 23 April 1966.
Courtesy of Jack Treutle.
Francis Scott Key385kLaunching program of the Francis Scott Key (SSBN-657) on 23 April 1966. Photo courtesy of Dale Hargrave.
Francis Scott Key262kLafayette & Benjamin Franklin class cutaway missile tubes aboard Ballistic Missile Submarines.US Navy photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Francis Scott Key355kStarboard side view of the Francis Scott Key (SSBN-657) during her sea trials off the Atlantic coast on 13 October 1966.US Navy photo # NPC 1119128 courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Francis Scott Key33kThe Francis Scott Key (SSBN-657) making a hard turn to port, possibly during her sea trials off the Atlantic coast before December 1966.
Courtesy of 657webpage.
Francis Scott Key33kCommemorative postal cover marking the Francis Scott Key's (SSBN-657) commissioning on 3 December 1966. Courtesy of petloveshack.com.
Francis Scott Key1.00kTwelve page Welcome Aboard Phamplet for the Francis Scott Key (SSBN-657).US Navy photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
PDF added 04/29/12.
Francis Scott Key47kThe Francis Scott Key (SSBN-657) underway at Charleston, SC. The bridges in the background are the Pearman and Grace Bridges spanning the Copper River. Both are undergoing demolition at this point in time, (11 - 05).
Photo courtesy of 657webpage. Photo i.d. courtesy of Wayne Fritz.
Francis Scott Key254kA view of the fifth launch of a Trident I (C-4) fleet ballistic missile (FBM) from the submerged nuclear-powered strategic ballistic missile submarine Francis Scott Key (SSBN-657) on 22 Jul 1979.
USN photo photo # DN-SC-82-04224, Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil. & submitted by Bill Gonyo.
Francis Scott Key178k A Trident I C-4 missile is lowered into a missile cell aboard the nuclear-powered strategic missile submarine Francis Scott Key (SSBN-657) at Kings Bay, GA., on 2 Oct 1981. USN photo # DN-SC-82-00003, Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
Francis Scott Key302kA montage of seven views showing parts of the launching of a Trident I C-4 missile from the submerged nuclear-powered strategic missile submarine Francis Scott Key (SSBN-657) and the Trident's re-entry bodies as they plunge into the earth's atmosphere and then into the Atlantic Ocean. USN photo # DN-SC-82-00005, Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
Francis Scott Key117k Flag adorned Francis Scott Key (SSBN-657).
USN photo courtesy of pelicanharborsubvets.com.
Francis Scott Key805kCrewmen load supplies aboard the Francis Scott Key (SSBN-657) prior to departure to participate in Exercise Ocean Venture '81. USN photo # DN-ST-82-04857, by JO1 LON Cabot, Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
Francis Scott Key586kTwo large harbor tugs, including Okmulgee (YTB-765), front, maneuver the Francis Scott Key (SSBN-657) into docking position at Kings Bay, Georgia, 1 Sep 1981. USN photo # DN-ST-82-04863, by JO1 LON Cabot, Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
Francis Scott Key602k The large harbor tug Okmulgee (YTB-765) maneuvers the Francis Scott Key (SSBN-657) into docking position at Kings Bay, Georgia, 1 Sep 1981. USN photo # DN-ST-82-04859, by JO1 LON Cabot, Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
Francis Scott Key429kA starboard quarter view of the nuclear-powered strategic missile submarine Francis Scott Key (SSBN-657) taking on Trident C-4 missiles from the fleet ballistic missile submarine tender Simon Lake (AS-33). The Simon Lake's cranes are transferring the missiles on 2 Oct 1981.
USN photo photo # DN-SC-82-00002, Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil. & submitted by Bill Gonyo.
Francis Scott Key495k Crewmen man the rails aboard the nuclear-powered strategic missile submarine Francis Scott Key (SSBN-657) and the submarine tender Canopus (AS-34) as the nuclear-powered strategic missile submarine Tennessee (SSN-734) arrives at its new home port for the first time at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia, 15 Jan 1989.
USN photo photo # DN-ST-90-03737 by JOSN Oscar Sosa, Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
Francis Scott Key & Tennessee373k Sailors manning the rails aboard the nuclear-powered strategic missile submarine Francis Scott Key (SSBN-657) and the submarine tender Canopus (AS-34) watch as the nuclear-powered strategic missile submarine Tennessee (SSN-734) arrives at its new home port for the first time at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia, 15 Jan 1989.
USN photo photo # DN-ST-90-03738 by JOSN Oscar Sosa, Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
Francis Scott Key108kUndated montage of photos of the Francis Scott Key (SSBN-657).
Official US Navy photo courtesy of Wendell Royce McLaughlin Jr.
Francis Scott Key129k Forward torpedo room aboard the Benjamin Franklin Class Ballistic Missile Submarine Francis Scott Key (SSBN-657).Photo from ssbn657.com, courtesy of Bill Gonyo.
Francis Scott Key80k Looking out from within aboard the Francis Scott Key (SSBN-657).Photo from ssbn657.com, courtesy of Bill Gonyo.
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 & partial text courtesy of home.flash.net/~tomj/tunny/chop/rx. & submitted by Jack Treutle.
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).
USN photo & partial text courtesy of home.flash.net/~tomj/tunny/chop/rx. & submitted by Jack Treutle.
There is no DANFS History currently available for Francis Scott Key (SSBN 657) at the Haze Gray & Underway Web Site, the main archive for the DANFS Online Project.
Crew Contact And Reunion Information
U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation
Fleet Reserve Association
Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
SSBN 657 USS Francis Scott Key
FAS - SSBN-640 Benjamin Franklin Class FBM Submarines
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