CHRISTENED AT ELECTRIC BOAT
The Ballistic Missile Submarine, Wyoming (SSBN 742) will be christened at
11:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 15, 1995, at the Electric Boat Division of General
Dynamics Corporation, Groton, Connecticut. Wyoming will be christened by
Monika Owens, wife of Admiral William A. Owens, Vice-Chairman, Joint Chiefs of
Staff. Mrs. Owens will formally name the ship by breaking a bottle of
champagne over the submarine, in the age-old Navy tradition.
Senator Craig Thomas of Wyoming will be the ceremony's principal speaker.
Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Installations and Environment Robert B.
Pirie, Jr., and Admiral Owens will also speak.
Named for our 44th state, three previous ships have borne this name: a steam
sloop-of-war (1859-1882) named for a Pennsylvania river; Monitor No. 10
(1902-1926), later renamed Cheyenne; and a battleship (BB 33) (1912-1947) which
served in both World Wars.
Wyoming is the 17th of 18 Ohio Class ballistic missile submarines authorized
by Congress to be built. As a principal part of the U.S. strategic defense
posture, Wyoming will serve as an ever-vigilant deterrent in an uncertain
world.
The submarine is 560 feet in length, has a beam of 42 feet, displaces
approximately 18,750 tons submerged, and will carry a crew of 16 officers and
157 enlisted personnel. Captain Randall D. Preston, USN, a native of
Twentynine Palms, California, is the ship's prospective commanding officer.
Media wishing to attend the ceremony should contact Mr. Dan Barrett, General
Dynamics Corporation, Electric Boat Division, at (203) 433-8202.
