BENJAMIN FRANKLIN CLASS SUBMARINES
By Cliff Lethbridge
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN CLASS SUBMARINES
Launch Status: Retired
Number Placed In Service: 12
Length: 425 Feet
Beam: 33 Feet
Surface Displacement: 7,350 Tons
Submerged Displacement: 8,250 Tons
Propulsion: Steam Turbine Powered by Water-Cooled Nuclear Reactors
Torpedoes: 4 Bow Torpedo Tubes
Officer Berths: 14
Enlisted Berths: 126
Missile Capacity: 16
Launch Tubes: 16 Tubes Midship
Launch Control: Gas Steam Generator
Fire Control System: Mk 88
Navigation System: 2 Mk 2 Mod 6 SINS, ESGM and Satellite Receiver
SSBN 640 USS BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
Date Commissioned: October 22, 1965
Date Decommissioned: November 23, 1993
First Cape Launch: December 6, 1965
Final Cape Launch: January 23, 1989
Total Number of Cape Launches: 9
Vehicles Launched: Polaris A3, Poseidon, Trident I
Current Status: Dismantled
SSBN 641 USS SIMON BOLIVAR
Date Commissioned: October 29, 1965
Date Decommissioned: February 12, 1995
First Cape Launch: January 17, 1966
Final Cape Launch: February 6, 1988
Total Number of Cape Launches: 20
Vehicles Launched: Polaris A3, Poseidon, Trident I
Current Status: Dismantled
SSBN 642 USS KAMEHAMEHA
Date Commissioned: December 10, 1965
Date Decommissioned: Converted to Transport Submarine
First Cape Launch: February 24, 1966
Final Cape Launch: April 30, 1990
Total Number of Cape Launches: 14
Vehicles Launched: Polaris A3, Poseidon
Current Status: Active as Transport Submarine
SSBN 643 USS GEORGE BANCROFT
Date Commissioned: January 22, 1966
Date Decommissioned: January 1, 1993
First Cape Launch: April 7, 1966
Final Cape Launch: February 4, 1989
Total Number of Cape Launches: 20
Vehicles Launched: Polaris A3, Poseidon, Trident I
Current Status: Dismantled
SSBN 644 USS LEWIS AND CLARK
Date Commissioned: December 22, 1965
Date Decommissioned: June 27, 1992
First Cape Launch: February 17, 1966
Final Cape Launch: November 4, 1986
Total Number of Cape Launches: 18
Vehicles Launched: Polaris A3, Poseidon
Current Status: Dismantled
SSBN 645 USS JAMES K. POLK
Date Commissioned: April 16, 1966
Date Decommissioned: Converted to Transport Submarine
First Cape Launch: June 10, 1966
Final Cape Launch: March 9, 1989
Total Number of Cape Launches: 19
Vehicles Launched: Polaris A3, Poseidon
Current Status: Active as Transport Submarine
SSBN 654 USS GEORGE C. MARSHALL
Date Commissioned: April 29, 1966
Date Decommissioned: January 1, 1992
First Cape Launch: July 11, 1966
Final Cape Launch: October 16, 1987
Total Number of Cape Launches: 17
Vehicles Launched: Polaris A3, Poseidon
Current Status: Dismantled
SSBN 655 USS HENRY L. STIMSON
Date Commissioned: August 20, 1965
Date Decommissioned: January 1, 1992
First Cape Launch: November 14, 1966
Final Cape Launch: April 8, 1992
Total Number of Cape Launches: 23
Vehicles Launched: Polaris A3, Poseidon, Trident I
Current Status: Dismantled
SSBN 656 USS GEORGE W. CARVER
Date Commissioned: June 15, 1966
Date Decommissioned: January 1, 1992
First Cape Launch: September 1, 1966
Final Cape Launch: August 10, 1985
Total Number of Cape Launches: 15
Vehicles Launched: Polaris A3, Poseidon
Current Status: Dismantled
SSBN 657 USS FRANCIS SCOTT KEY
Date Commissioned: December 3, 1966
Date Decommissioned: January 1, 1993
First Cape Launch: April 3, 1967
Final Cape Launch: December 7, 1985
Total Number of Cape Launches: 30
Vehicles Launched: Polaris A3, Poseidon, Trident I
Current Status: Dismantled
SSBN 658 USS MARIANO G. VALLEJO
Date Commissioned: December 16, 1966
Date Decommissioned: October 1, 1994
First Cape Launch: March 5, 1967
Final Cape Launch: May 10, 1991
Total Number of Cape Launches: 30
Vehicles Launched: Polaris A3, Poseidon, Trident I
Current Status: Dismantled
SSBN 659 USS WILL ROGERS
Date Commissioned: April 1, 1967
Date Decommissioned: January 1, 1992
First Cape Launch: July 31, 1967
Final Cape Launch: May 20, 1986
Total Number of Cape Launches: 14
Vehicles Launched: Polaris A3, Poseidon
Current Status: Dismantled