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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive


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Daniel Webster (SSBN-626)


Lafayette Class Ballistic Missile Submarine: Laid down, 28 December 1961, at Electric Boat Works Division of General Dynamics, Groton, CT.; Launched, 27 April 1963; Commissioned, USS Daniel Webster (SSBN-626), 9 April 1964; Decommissioned, and simultaneously struck from the Naval Register, 30 August 1990; Final Disposition, converted to Dockside Trainer as S5W Prototype facility.

Specifications: Displacement, Surfaced: 7,325 t., Submerged: 8,251 t.; Length 425'; Beam 33'; Draft 29'; Speed, Surfaced 16 kts, Submerged 21 kts; Depth limit 1,300'; Complement 140 (each crew, blue and gold); Armament, 16 missile tubes; four 21" torpedo tubes, forward, MK 14/16 Anti-ship Torpedo MK 37 Anti-Submarine Torpedo, MK 45 ASTOR Nuclear Torpedo MK 48 Anti-Submarine Torpedo; Propulsion, S5W nuclear reactor two geared steam turbines, 15,000 SHP, one propeller.
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Daniel Webster116kDaniel Webster (18 January 1782 – 24 October 1852), was a leading American statesman during the nation's antebellum era. He first rose to regional prominence through his defense of New England shipping interests. His increasingly nationalistic views and the effectiveness with which he articulated them led Webster to become one of the most famous orators and influential Whig leaders of the Second Party System.
Daniel Webster was an attorney, and served as legal counsel in several cases that established important constitutional precedents that bolstered the authority of the Federal government. As Secretary of State, he negotiated the Webster-Ashburton Treaty that established the definitive eastern border between the United States and Canada.
Primarily recognized for his Senate tenure, Webster was a key figure in the institution's "Gogen days". So well-known was his skill as a Senator throughout this period that Webster became a third and northern counterpart of what was and still is known today as the "Great Triumvirate," with his colleagues Henry Clay from the west and John C. Calhoun from the south. His "Reply to Hayne" in 1830 was generally regarded as "the most eloquent speech ever delivered in Congress." Similar to Henry Clay, Webster's desire to see the Union preserved and conflict averted led him to search out compromises designed to stave off the sectionalism that threatened war between the North and South.
Webster tried three times to achieve the Presidency; all three bids failed, the final one in part because of his compromises. Similarly Webster's efforts to steer the nation away from civil war toward a definite peace ultimately proved futile. Despite this, Webster came to be esteemed for these efforts and was officially named by the Senate in 1957 as one of its five most outstanding members.
Photo from the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 & submitted by Bill Gonyo. Partial text courtesy of Wikipedia.
Daniel Webster28kThis cover is one of 100 prepared by sponsor on the occasion of the keel laying of the Daniel Webster (SSBN-626), 28 December 1961. Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
Poker585kTHREE OF A KIND-And an ace hidden in the hole. A trio of Polaris submarines poke their noses over the edge of their building ways while another lies hidden at extreme right. Photo was made just before James Madison (SSBN-627) (center) was launched yesterday, 15 March 1963. At left is the Von Steuben (SSBN-632) and at right is the John C. Calhoun (SSBN-630). At far right and not sporting a nose as yet is the Sam Rayburn (SSBN-635). The four-in-a-row Polaris lineup can be duplicated in only one other yard-Electric Boat-where the Daniel Webster (SSBN-626),Tecumseh (SSBN-628),Ulysses S. Grant (SSBN-631) & Casimir Pulaski (SSBN-633) have been laid down. The building slot vacated yesterday in Newport News by the James Madison soon will hold (SSNB-641), as yet unnamed. Photo courtesy of Dale Hargrave.
Nathan Hale553kNathan Hale (SSBN-623) at the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corp., Groton, CT., taken a few days before her launching on 12 January 1963. I believe that the ship on the right is the Daniel Webster (SSBN-626).Photo courtesy of Dale Hargrave.
Daniel Webster412kLaunching program of the Daniel Webster (SSBN-626) on 27 April 1963. Photo courtesy of Dale Hargrave.
Daniel Webster273kMrs. W. Osborn Goodrich, Jr. makes contact with Daniel Webster's (SSBN-626) bow on 27 April 1963. USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Daniel Webster101kThe Daniel Webster (SSBN-626) slides down the launching ways 27 April 1963. She was launched with sailplanes and modified with bowplanes prior to commissioning. USN photo courtesy of USS Bowfin Submarine Museum archives / members.aol.com.
Photo i.d. courtesy of David Johnston
Daniel Webster1.83kLaunching of the Daniel Webster (SSBN-626).Photo from the files of the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Daniel Webster627k11 page Welcome Aboard PDF of the Daniel Webster (SSBN-626). USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Daniel Webster33kCommemorative post mark on the occasion of the launching of the Daniel Webster (SSBN-626), 27 April 1963. Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
Nathan Hale919kThe Nathan Hale (SSBN-623) crowd at the commissioning at General Dynamics Electric Boat on 23 November 1963. The Daniel Webster (SSBN-626) is the boat to the right, I believe. She would be commissioned on 9 April 1964. Photo from the files of the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum via Darryl L. Baker.
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1.98k Capt. Lloyd S. Smith as the Commander of Naval Support Activity Mare Island (1972-1975). He was the first Gold crew CO of Daniel Webster (SSBN-626), 09.04.1964 / 00.10.1966. Text info via Wolfgang Hechler.
Photo courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Williams
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371k CDR John G. Williams, Jr. commanded Daniel Webster (SSBN-626) from 5 May 1966 to June 1968. Photo courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Daniel Webster64kBow mounted diving planes fitted for the commissioning ceremonies of the Daniel Webster (SSBN-626) on 27 April 1964. USN photo courtesy of Electric Boat.
Daniel Webster1.10kBow on view of the Daniel Webster (SSBN-626) during tests of her diving planes in April 1964. The idea behind the bow planes was to reduce the effect of porpoising, but they increased water resistance and lowered her overall speed. They were subsequently removed during a refit between 1976-78.
Slightly different color photo appears here.
Partial text courtesy of Bill Roberts CDR, USN (Retired).
US Navy Photo # NPC 711453 courtesy Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Daniel Webster199k Daniel Webster (SSBN-626) in Port Canaveral, Florida, fitted with special masts in preparation for the first shots of hardened A-3 missiles, in August 1968.Photo courtesy of Fred Tollison.
Daniel Webster138k Daniel Webster (SSBN-626) firing first of two shots of hardened A-3 missiles, August 1968.Photo courtesy of Fred Tollison.
Daniel Webster176kDaniel Webster (SSBN-626) underway in September 1968.USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Guardfish & Daniel Webster53k Guardfish (SSN-612) and the Daniel Webster (SSBN-626), in the Panama Canal, 14 March 1970. We were heading back to Pearl after the shipyard in Miss. If I remember right this was the only time two nukes were in the canal at one time. It was some kind of a first. Courtesy of Jeff Kelly / USS Guardfish web page.
Partial text info courtesy of Skip Spahr, TM02 (SS)
Daniel Webster629kThe E is marked on Daniel Webster (SSBN-626). Photo i.d. via Keith Holman & Ric Hedman.
USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Daniel Webster229kPulling into Pearl Harbor shortly afterwards the above photo was taken, the Daniel Webster (SSBN-626) glides past the palm tree in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii that seems to be in most submarines Photo in this section. Photo courtesy of Don Hulse, EMC9SS0 (USN RET.)
Partial text info courtesy of Skip Spahr, TM02 (SS).
Daniel Webster59kDaniel Webster (SSBN-626) being helped by Navy yard tugs alongside a pier at the New London sub base sometime before 1974. USN photo by JO2 Gwyneth J. Schulz from The American Submarine, by Norman Polmar, submitted by Robert Hurst.
Daniel Webster650kDaniel Webster (SSBN-626) moves down the way in 1976.USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Daniel Webster487kA port quarter view of the nuclear-powered strategic missile submarine Daniel Webster (SSBN-626) going outbound from Port Canaveral in 1978 for DASO post-shipyard. Text I.d. courtesy of Geoff Grant.
Defense Visual Information Center photo # DN-SC-85-09576, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
Daniel Webster1.02kAn aerial view of the decommissioned submarine Daniel Webster (MTS-626) tied at NPTU Goose Creek, SC., 16 April 2002. Photo courtesy of xpda.com/Goose Creek via Robert Hurst.
Daniel Webster513k Sam Rayburn (MTS-635) and Daniel Webster (MTS-626) tied at NPTU Goose Creek, SC., 16 April 2002. Photo courtesy of xpda.com/Goose Creek via Robert Hurst.
Daniel Webster390kDaniel Webster (SSBN-626) in dry dock.USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Daniel Webster1.00kThree tugs crowd the Daniel Webster (MTS-626) as she sailed under tow from Charleston,SC. to a scheduled overhaul in Virgina on 26 September 2011.Photo courtesy of Captain Zane Johnston via Manning J. Harvey III.
Daniel Webster787kThe moored training ship Daniel Webster (MTS-626) begins its tow from Norfolk Naval Shipyard to Charleston, S.C. on 21 August 2012 for the final quarter of its 16-month dry docking engineered maintenance availability more than three weeks ahead of schedule as she sailed under tow from Charleston,SC. to a scheduled overhaul in Virgina on 26 September 2011.USN photo # N-SY521-001 courtesy of navy.mil. via Ron Reeves (of blessed memory).

USS DANIEL WEBSTER Commanding Officers, courtesy of Wolfgang Hechler
USS DANIEL WEBSTER (B) SSBN-626 Blair Sr., Marvin Smith, CDR USN 1 09.04.1964 05.05.1966 FDC
USS DANIEL WEBSTER (B) SSBN-626 Williams Jr., John Grouille, CDR 1947 :ADM 2 05.05.1966 00.06.1968
USS DANIEL WEBSTER (B) SSBN-626 Hopper, Thomas Miner, CDR USN 4 00.09.1969 00.09.1973
USS DANIEL WEBSTER (B) SSBN-626 Wright, Leo Charles, CDR 1958 5 00.09.1973 12.08.1978
USS DANIEL WEBSTER (B) SSBN-626 Weale, Gary Douglas, CDR USN 6 12.08.1978 00.08.1980
USS DANIEL WEBSTER (B) SSBN-626 Stone, William Charles, CAPT USN 7 00.08.1980 12.04.1984
USS DANIEL WEBSTER (B) SSBN-626 Chisholm, Christopher Ian, CDR 1968 8 12.04.1984 28.07.1987
USS DANIEL WEBSTER (B) SSBN-626 Kehoe, Michael John, CDR 1971 9 28.07.1987 23.02.1990
USS DANIEL WEBSTER (B) SSBN-626 Maris, James Raymond, CDR 1971 10 23.02.1990 30.08.1990 LDC

USS DANIEL WEBSTER (G) SSBN-626 Smith Jr., Lloyd Stanford, CDR 1946 51 09.04.1964 00.10.1966 FDC
USS DANIEL WEBSTER (G) SSBN-626 Atkins, A. J. Martin, CDR 1949 52 00.10.1966 00.06.1968
USS DANIEL WEBSTER (G) SSBN-626 Roberts, William Eugene, CDR 1952 53 00.06.1968 18.11.1970
USS DANIEL WEBSTER (G) SSBN-626 Currier, Richard Andrews, CDR 1954 54 18.11.1970 14.04.1973
USS DANIEL WEBSTER (G) SSBN-626 McLane, Michael John, CDR 1958 55 14.04.1973 00.12.1974
USS DANIEL WEBSTER (G) SSBN-626 Wright, Leo Charles, CDR 1958 56 00.12.1974 16.02.1978
USS DANIEL WEBSTER (G) SSBN-626 Meeker, Charles Martin, CDR USN 57 16.02.1978 30.09.1980
USS DANIEL WEBSTER (G) SSBN-626 Sheehan Jr., John Wilfred (Bill), CAPT 1963 58 30.09.1980 12.04.1984
USS DANIEL WEBSTER (G) SSBN-626 Heid, Billy Lee, CAPT USN 59 12.04.1984 15.02.1985
USS DANIEL WEBSTER (G) SSBN-626 Boykin Jr., William Swift (Roy), CDR 1968 60 15.02.1985 27.10.1987
USS DANIEL WEBSTER (G) SSBN-626 Maris, James Raymond, CDR 1971 61 27.10.1987 23.02.1990
USS DANIEL WEBSTER (G) SSBN-626 Kehoe, Michael John, CDR 1971 62 23.02.1990 30.08.1990 LDC

There is no DANFS History currently available for Daniel Webster (SSBN-626) 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

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FAS - SSBN-616 Lafayette-Class Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarines

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