---------------------------------------------------------------- The Navy Public Affairs Library (NAVPALIB) A service of the Navy Office of Information, Washington DC Send feedback/questions to navpalib@opnav-emh.navy.mil ---------------------------------------------------------------- The following was released by the Office of the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs): No. 404-94 (703)697-5342(media) (703)697-3189(copies) IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 7, 1994 (703)697- 5737(public/industry) NAVY TO COMMISSION BALLISTIC MISSILE SUBMARINE RHODE ISLAND (SSBN 740) The Department of the Navy will commission the ballistic missile submarine Rhode Island (SSBN 740) in a ceremony to be held on Saturday, July 9, 1994 at the Naval Education and Training Center, Newport, Rhode Island, commencing at 11 a.m. Senator John H. Chafee will be the ceremony's principal speaker. Mrs. Kati A. Machtley, wife of Representative Ronald K. Machtley, is the ship's sponsor. Rhode Island is named in honor of the 13th state of the Union. Two previous U.S. Navy ships have borne this name. The first was a side-wheeled steamer (1861-1867) that participated in the Civil War. The second was a battleship (BB 17) (1906-1923) that took part in the globe-circling deployment of the "Great White Fleet." Rhode Island is the 15th of 18 Ohio Class ballistic missile submarines authorized by Congress. As a principal part of the U.S. strategic defense posture, Rhode Island will serve as an ever vigilant deterrent in an uncertain world. The submarine is 560 feet in length, has a beam of 42 feet and displaces approximately 18,750 tons submerged. It will carry a crew of 16 officers and 157 enlisted personnel. Captain John Eldridge, a native of Clearwater, Florida, is the ship's commanding officer. -USN-