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| One of five Ethan Allen (SSBN-608)-class nuclear-powered, Fleet Ballistic Missile (or FBM)-launching submarines.Nuclear-powered fleet ballistic missile submarines, built to carry the Polaris strategic deterrent missile, began to go into commission in the early 1960s. These were rightly regarded as ships without precedent. Thus, a name source of their own was deemed appropriate. The first ballistic missile submarine was named George Washington, and the rest of the "41 For Freedom" (go to links below) bore the names of "famous Americans and others who contributed to the growth of democracy." Some of these submarines were later reclassified as conventional attack submarines under the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT) agreements. Though they lost their missile capability, they continued to bear such names as Patrick Henry and Ethan Allen. The newest Trident missile submarines of the Ohio class bear state names, one of the name sources originally considered for the first Polaris submarines. One of the class, USS Henry M. Jackson (SSBN-730), honors a legislator who had a strong share in shaping American defense programs. |
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| Authorized by Congress: 1958
Built By: General Dynamics Electric Boat Shipyard in Groton, Connecticut. "Keel" laid: March 15, 1960. The keel plate was initialed by Peter Edison Sloane, grandson of Thomas A. Edison. Launched: June 15, 1961. Sponsored by Mrs. John Eyre Sloane, Thomas A. Edison's daughter. Commissioned: March 10, 1962 Displacement: 7900 tons Length: 410 feet Beam: 34 feet Number of missiles: 16 Polaris A-2s. Nuclear warheads per missile: One Yield per warhead: 800 kiloton (The yield of the Hiroshima bomb was 16 kilotons; and the yield of the Nagasaki bomb was 22 kilotons.) Missile Range: 1500 nautical miles Other Armament: Four torpedo tubes forward Reactor Plant: S5W Type of propulsion plant: Two steam turbines driving reduction gears to a single shaft Shaft Horsepower: 15,000 Crew Members (Blue and Gold Crews): 140 (on each crew) On October 6, 1980, after completing fifty-four Strategic Deterrent Patrols, Edison had her designation changed from SSBN to SSN and her homeport was changed to Bangor, Washington. The boat had operated from submarine support facilities in Holy Loch, Scotland; Rota, Spain; and Guam, Marianas Islands. From August 1982 through February 1983, Edison conducted the first WESTPAC deployment by an ex-SSBN. Upon returning from WESTPAC, the boat entered the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for inactivation. Decommissioned: December 1, 1983 Fate: Stricken from the list of U.S. Navy ships on April 30, 1986. (Submarine Recycling Program) |
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| The boat had a 40-ton gyroscope in Auxiliary Machinery Room Number 1 (AMR-1) that was supposed to stabilize the boat for missile firing, but if proved unnecessary and was removed during PSA. |
| The other item removed was the station keeping anchor. It was located in MBT 2A and operated from the anchor room in after stbd corner of the Torpedo Room. It consisted of a 1100 lb mushroom anchor attached to 2800 fathoms of 1/2 inch dacron line round on a spool by a level rewind mechanism similar to a fishing reel level wind. |
| Edison is the only submarine ever to have a piano on it. Click on the link further down this page to "STORIES FROM DUTY ON THOMAS A. EDISON" for info about the piano (and a photo of it as it is today). |
"CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting the MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION to USS THOMAS A. EDISON (SSBN-610) (BLUE) for service as set forth in the following CITATION: For meritorious achievement while conducting a POLARIS missile follow-on operational test during the period 20 March through 7 April 1969. As a unit of the Submarine Force, United States Atlantic Fleet, USS THOMAS A. EDISON (BLUE) contributed significantly to the reliability testing of the A-2 POLARIS missile in particular, and to the POLARIS submarine missile system in general, by conducting a POLARIS missile follow-on operational test with pinpoint accuracy. The entire mission, although extremely complex in nature, was handled in a superb manner with all missiles being launched precisely within the time-frames allowed and with no significant malfunctions occurring. Through the degree of success achieved, USS THOMAS A. EDISON (BLUE) made a vital contribution toward proving the reliability of a major component of the United States strategic force. The performance of the officers and men of USS THOMAS A. EDISON (BLUE) during this mission was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. For the Secretary,
David "Saint" St. Claire, who was an MTSN-MT2 on the Blue
Crew from 1967-1971, provided a copy of his Meritorious Unit Commendation
citation for posting on this page. He said that four missiles were
tested.E.R. Zumwalt, Jr.
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| CAPT C.M. Young - Mar 1962 - Aug 1964 | CDR W. Dedrick - Mar 1962 - Sept 1964 |
| CAPT W.M. Adams, Jr. - Aug 1964 - Jun 1966 | CDR C.B. Grojean - Sept 1964 - Oct 1966 |
| CDR W.A. Brooks - Jun 1966 - Jun 1970 | CDR M.L. Philpot - May 1968 - Aug 1970 |
| CDR W.P. Chase - Jun 1970 - Jun 1973 | CDR J.D. D'Aloia, Jr. - Aug 1970 - May 1973 |
| CDR W.B. McAree II - May 1973 - Feb 1977 | CDR J.L. Sullivan - Dec 1974 - Feb 1978 |
| CDR D.C. Tarquin - Feb 1977 - Mar 1979 | CDR R.D. Woehl - Feb 1978 - Jul 1980 |
| CDR J.M. Gluck - Mar 1979 - Oct 1980 | . |
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| I reported aboard Edison Blue Crew as a Machinist's Mate Second Class on August 22, 1963, after graduating from the Nuclear Power Training Unit (NPTU) at Windsor Locks, Connecticut. As a nuclear- trained Machinist's Mate (and Engineering Laboratory Technician or ELT), I was assigned to the 16-man M-Division. In September 1965, I was advanced to Machinist's Mate First Class. Besides doing my first Deterrent Patrol as Duty ELT, I went on, in subsequent patrols, to qualify on all M-Division watch stations and ended up as the M-Division Leading First Class Petty Officer. During one of my patrols, we crossed the Arctic Circle and I became a "Blue Nose." I was transferred from Edison on May 24, 1966, after making 7 Deterrent Patrols out of Holy Loch, Scotland (click on link below). |
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| Here I am on the mid-watch of the 29th day out on my first patrol on Edison |
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| The purpose of this page is provide a place for ex-crew members to post a query about or an attempt to locate a lost shipmate. Or to just let ex-shipmates know you're still around. Send your queries, etc. to me via e-mail at my e-mail address at the bottom of this page and I'll place them on the page with a link to your e-mail address. Good luck in your search. |
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| Gary E. Flynn, GS2/MT3(SS), Blue & Gold Crews, '61-'63 (plank owner) |
| James Lawton, TM1(SS), Blue Crew, '61-'63 (plank owner) |
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| Holy Loch, Scotland Page - Info about and photos of |
| United States Submarine Veterans, Inc. An organization that all submarine vets should join |
| Ron Martini’s Submarine World Network The largest submarine-oriented site on the Internet; plus other information |
| Rontini’s Submarine BBS Where submarine sailors (and others) from all eras hang |
| Sid Harrison’s Navy Days The most comprehensive submarine and Navy-oriented site on the Internet |
| SubmarineSailor.com - Rosters for subs, sub tenders, and ASRs. OOther sub-related info, as well |
| "41 For Freedom" This page has links from the ship's patches of the boats to Web pages for the boats |
| "Forty-One For Freedom" Links to Web pages for these boats; compiled by Sid Harrison, ETCM (SS), USN, Retired |
| Deterrent Park (to the "41 For Freedom") at Sub Base, Bangor WA; sponsored by Pacific Northwest Submarine Heritage Assn |
| Cold War Submarine Memorial located at Patriots Point, Charleston SC sponsored by Cold War Submarine Memorial Foundation |
| Submarine Wives Club Who cared for the kids, paid the bills, kept the car running, battled yard and housework, etc. in our absence? |
| Fleet Reserve Association The hardest-charging military lobby group there is (especially for enlisted-related matters) |
| National Chief Petty Officers Association (NCPOA) I’m a member |
| The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA) I’m a member |
| U.S. Navy Memorial Every Navy veteran should have his particulars in the Navy Log (it's accessible on-line) |
| Bluejacket.com Informative site on USN, USMC, USCG history and traditions |
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