South Carolina V DLGN-37

 

South Carolina V

(DLGN-37: dp. 10,000; 1. 585'0~, b. 63'0, dr. 30'6
s. 30 k. (tl.); cpl. 497; a. 2 mist In., 2 5, ASROC
Standard mist, Harpoon, Tartar, 2 21" tt., 2 40mm.;
cl. California)

The fifth South Carolina (DLGN-37), a nuclearpowered guided missile frigate, was laid down on 1 December 1970 by Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co. at Newport News, Va.; launched on 1 July 1972; sponsored by Mrs. J. Fred Buzhardt; and commissioned on 25 January 1975, Capt. William C. Neel in command.

Upon commissioning, South Carolina steamed to Charleston, S.C., to repeat the traditional post-commissioning visit to the state of South Carolina. There she received a silver service for the wardroom symbolic of the close ties between the frigate and her namesake state. Immediately thereafter, South Carolina joined the Atlantic Fleet nuclear task force, operating out of Norfolk, Va. As of May 1975, she remained so employed.