USS George C. Marshall Ship Profile and History

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The USS George C. Marshall is a US Navy ship that's been making waves since its commissioning in 1965. It was named after the famous American general and statesman George C. Marshall.

The ship is a ballistic missile submarine, designed to carry and launch nuclear missiles. Its primary mission is to deter and defend against enemy attacks.

With a length of 410 feet and a beam of 33 feet, the USS George C. Marshall is a massive vessel that's capable of diving to depths of over 400 feet. It's powered by a nuclear reactor that provides the energy needed for its operations.

The USS George C. Marshall has a crew of approximately 140 sailors who work together to keep the ship running smoothly.

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Service History

The USS George C. Marshall had a long and storied career, with a service history that spans multiple decades. She was first deployed in September 1969, with the Blue crew departing from Holy Loch, Scotland, and returning in December.

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In 1970 and 1971, the Gold and Blue crews repeated the sequence of deployments, with the Gold crew returning to Charleston, SC, in March 1971. The Blue crew was under the command of Capt Roy C. Paul for patrols #11 and #13, returning to Holy Loch before transit to overhaul via the Panama Canal.

The George C. Marshall underwent a refueling and Poseidon Conversion Overhaul from September 1971 to March 1973, followed by a successful DASO ballistic missile launch in April 1973. She visited Faslane Submarine Base in Scotland in November 1975 and operated out of Rota Naval Station, Rota, Spain, in the mid-1970s.

Here is a list of some of the notable deployments and events in the George C. Marshall's service history:

  • September 1969: Blue crew deploys from Holy Loch, Scotland
  • December 1969: Gold crew takes over
  • March 1970: Blue crew returns to Holy Loch
  • 1970-1971: Gold and Blue crews repeat deployment sequence
  • September 1971-March 1973: Refueling and Poseidon Conversion Overhaul
  • April 1973: Successful DASO ballistic missile launch
  • November 1975: Visits Faslane Submarine Base in Scotland
  • 1980: Extensive overhaul in USS Los Alamos (AFDB-7) in Holy Loch, Scotland
  • 1992: Conducts last dive off San Diego, California, and heads to Bremerton, Washington, for decommissioning

Commissioning Date

The commissioning date of a vehicle is a crucial piece of information. It's the date when the vehicle was first put on the road, and it's usually found on the vehicle's registration documents.

Modern Jets of the  of the US Navy Carriers
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Typically, the commissioning date is the same as the delivery date, but not always. In some cases, the vehicle may have been stored for a period of time before being sold to its first owner.

The commissioning date can affect the vehicle's warranty and maintenance schedule. For example, if the vehicle was commissioned in 2010, it's likely that the manufacturer's warranty would have expired by now.

A well-documented service history is essential for maintaining a vehicle's value and ensuring its safety.

Operational Periods

George C. Marshall conducted 78 strategic deterrent patrols during her career. This impressive number highlights the submarine's significant contribution to the country's defense.

She was one of the last units to leave Holy Loch, Scotland, following the closing of that base in 1992. This marked the end of an era for the submarine and its crew.

George C. Marshall conducted her last dive off San Diego, California, in 1992 on her way to Bremerton, Washington, for decommissioning. This final dive marked the end of the submarine's operational period.

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Ship Details

Humpback whale tail near a US Navy ship on a calm ocean day.
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The USS George C. Marshall was a Virginia-class submarine that served in the United States Navy from 1964 to 1990. It was commissioned on December 19, 1964.

The submarine was 368 feet long and had a beam of 33 feet. Its draft was 29 feet, and it displaced over 6,900 tons of water when submerged.

The USS George C. Marshall was powered by a S5W nuclear reactor, which gave it a top speed of over 20 knots.

Crew List

The crew list for the ship is a critical component of its operation. The ship's crew consists of 20 people, including a captain, first mate, and 18 deckhands.

The captain has over 10 years of experience and holds a master's license. He's responsible for making key decisions and ensuring the ship's safety.

The first mate assists the captain and oversees the deckhands. There are 5 deckhands who specialize in navigation, 5 who focus on engineering, and 8 who handle cargo operations.

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The ship's crew is divided into three shifts, with each shift working 8 hours a day. This allows for continuous operation and ensures that the ship can maintain its schedule.

The crew's quarters are located on the lower decks and are equipped with basic amenities. Each crew member has a bunk and a locker for their personal belongings.

The ship's captain has a private quarters with a desk and a small office area. This is where he reviews navigation charts and communicates with shore-based authorities.

Notes

The Benjamin Franklin-class submarines were a series of nuclear-powered attack submarines built for the United States Navy.

These submarines were designed to operate during the Cold War era, a time of great tension between the US and the Soviet Union.

The class consisted of 31 submarines, all of which were commissioned between 1965 and 1972.

They were built at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Virginia, a facility with a long history of producing naval vessels.

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The submarines were equipped with nuclear reactors, which provided the power needed to operate their advanced systems.

Here are some key characteristics of the Benjamin Franklin-class submarines:

These submarines played an important role in the US Navy's fleet during the Cold War era, serving as a deterrent to potential threats.

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