Posted 13 years ago
scruples
(206 items)
USS Columbia (SSN-771) - GENERAL DYNAMICS - PAPERWEIGHT KEEL BLOCK
1 3/4" Square Lucite Paperweight.
USS Columbia (SSN-771), a Los Angeles class submarine, is the eighth boat of the United States Navy to bear that name. The earlier Columbia's were given their names for differing reasons; SSN-771 was specifically named in honor of Columbia, South Carolina, Columbia, Missouri, and Columbia, Illinois.
The contract to build Columbia was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut on 14 December 1988 and her keel was laid down on 21 April 1993. She was launched on 24 September 1994 with the slide down a 1300-foot wooden ramp, the last American submarine to do so.
Very neat! How did you happen to get this?
Found this in a small antique store for $3, didn't know this was the last sub that slid down a ramp. Saw a short clip of one sliding down the ramp and sunk right there. They now use drydocks.