NORTH DAKOTA’s bow supermodule, the final of the four supermodules that make up our boat, arrived in Groton CT on December 1st. This is a major event as our boat can now be fully welded together and pressure tested by the end of January. Here is a photo of the bow supermodule in Groton and a link to the story about this event that appeared in The Stars and Stripes.
Our USS North Dakota Committee has received a special order of crest challenge coins designed by the crew of the boat. These crest coins have been serialized on the edge so each one is unique. Here is what they look like, although they did not scan as well as we hoped they would:
NORTH DAKOTA’S crew has also been doing great community service. Here is a story that appeared in The Bismarck Tribune on December 4th:
USS North Dakota crew donates toys
Tim Preabt, who is chief of boat and a Mandan native, said the toy drive is the second in as many years and 100 percent sailor-driven.
“Last year our crew donated nearly 200 toys for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots Program, and our sailors wanted to continue the tradition of supporting the local community, especially during the holidays,” Preabt said.
The toys will be distributed at the Riverfront Children’s Center in Groton, near where the submarine is under construction.
The USS North Dakota will be the 11th Virginia-class submarine when it is commissioned in 2014.
The only other ship to bear the name North Dakota was the Delaware-class battleship USS North Dakota, which was in service from 1910-23.
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