Last Edited: January 31, 2026
(SSN-687)
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"They Saved the Best till Last"
Ship's history
SSN-687 History Part 1
The contract for Richard B. Russell's construction was awarded on 25 July 1969 and her keel was laid down 19 October 1971 by Newport News Shipbuilding at Newport News, Virginia, authenticated by Mrs. Ina Russell Stacey, sister and official hostess for Senator Russell. Richard B. Russell was launched at Newport News on 12 January 1974, sponsored by Mrs. Leila Elizabeth (Betty) Talmadge (née Shingler), wife of Herman E. Talmadge (1913–2002), U.S. Senator from Georgia (1957–1981), and commissioned on 16 August 1975.
SSN-687 History Part 2
After entering service in 1975 and though 1982, the USS Richard B. Russell (SSN-687) was stationed in Groton, CT where she was routinely deployed on Mediterranean and North Atlantic operations. Worth noting from Rear Admiral Arlington "Arlie" Campbell is that the Russell was the first nuclear powered vessel to enter the ports of St. John and Antigua.
SSN-687 History Part 3
In 1982, Richard B. Russell went through the Panama Canal and arrived at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, California, for an extended overhaul. During her time at Mare Island, it was decided that she would become a special projects submarine. After a short period of post-overhaul testing and sea-trials, she underwent extensive ocean engineering modifications prior to commencing operations as a unit of Submarine Development Group 1.
SSN-687 History Part 4
Richard B. Russell was both decommissioned and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 24 June 1994. She was stored at Bremerton, Washington until 1 October 2001, when she entered the Nuclear-Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton for scrapping. Her scrapping was completed on 3 January 2003.
Other Fun things...
Scrapped Hull Section
Enginer Room Deck Plate
Enginer Room Deck Plate
This section of the hull was given to me as a gift by a former shipmate. I know of a few more that are out there.
Enginer Room Deck Plate
Enginer Room Deck Plate
Enginer Room Deck Plate
Some of you may remember this engine room deckplate. I am not sure if it survived after the Ocean Engineering Overhaul.
Partol Patches
Enginer Room Deck Plate
Partol Patches
I am sure this is recognized by those who made the Ocean Engineering missions. Well done, shipmates!