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USS Francis Scott Key (SSBN 657)

- decommissioned -

USS FRANCIS SCOTT KEY was the tenth BENJAMIN FRANKLIN - class nuclear powered fleet ballistic missile submarine. Generally similar to the LAFAYETTE - class, the twelve BENJAMIN FRANKLIN - class submarines had a quieter machinery design, and were thus considered a separate class.

Decommissioned and stricken from the Navy list on September 2, 1993, the FRANCIS SCOTT KEY subsequently entered the Navy’s Nuclear Powered Ship and Recycling Program at Bremerton, Washington. Recycling was finished on September 1, 1995.

General Characteristics:Awarded: July 29, 1963
Keel laid: December 5, 1964
Launched: April 23, 1965
Commissioned: December 3, 1966
Decommissioned: September 2, 1993
Builder: Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corp., Groton, CT.
Propulsion system: one S5W nuclear reactor
Propellers: one
Length: 425 feet (129.6 meters)
Beam: 33 feet (10 meters)
Draft: 31.5 feet (9.6 meters)
Displacement: Surfaced: approx. 7,250 tons; Submerged: approx. 8,250 tons
Speed: Surfaced: 16 - 20 knots;Submerged: 22 - 25 knots
Armament: 16 vertical tubes for Polaris or Poseidon missiles, four 21" torpedo tubes for Mk-48 torpedoes, Mk-14/16 torpedoes, Mk-37 torpedoes and Mk-45 nuclear torpedoes
Crew: 13 Officers and 130 Enlisted (two crews)


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Crew List:

This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USS FRANCIS SCOTT KEY. It is no official listing but contains the names of sailors who submitted their information.


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