BOSTON (AP) — The USS Massachusetts officially joined the Navy fleet on Saturday after a commissioning ceremony, making it the first submarine named after the Bay State.
The newest Virginia-class fast attack submarine, which can dive to depths greater than 800 feet (240 meters), was christened on May 6, 2023, by the ship’s sponsor, Sheryl Sandberg, the former COO of Meta. This is the 25th Virginia-Class submarine co-produced by General Dynamics Electric Boat and Newport News Shipbuilding and the fifth U.S. Navy vessel named after Massachusetts.
“To be able to take a ship from new construction and watch it be built together by the ship yard, train with our team and bring into Boston Harbor for the first time, it’s very amazing,” said the sub’s commanding officer, Mike Siedsma, a 21-year Navy veteran who has spent time on four different classes of submarines. “I looked at the history books. I don’t think we’ve had a submarine in Boston Harbor since sometime in the late ’80s or early ’90s.”
The latest addition to the fleet, which cost over $2.8 billion, weighs about 8,000 tons and can carry 24 Tomahawk cruise missiles.
The crew of 147 also includes 39 women, representing 25% of the total crew. This integration comes 16 years after the Navy lifted a ban on women serving on submarines. “Those sailors just don’t inspire me. They inspire every little girl out there to believe that she could do anything,” Sandberg said.
The Navy's legacy intertwined with Massachusetts is profound. The first USS Massachusetts was a steamer built in 1845, and the most recent prior vessel was commissioned in 1942, serving primarily in the Pacific during World War II.
As a testament to its historical ties, the ward room features a mug rack made from wood sourced from counties in Massachusetts, donated by “This Old House,” a television home improvement show. “It was an incredible donation. Very great connection to the state and the commonwealth,” Siedsma noted.
Looking ahead, Siedsma mentioned, “The geopolitical situation is very interesting,” emphasizing the strategic importance of the Navy's role in international waters, highlighting the significance of this new addition.
