LEGO Ship Model Preview #4- USS Norfolk

Shown above is our fourth preview model for LEGO shipbuilding day at the Hampton Roads Naval Museum (February 2, 10am to 5pm). This model is of the nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Norfolk (SSN-714). The boat is a first generation Los Angeles-class submarine.  Officially her stats are "Length: 360 feet Breadth: 33 feet Displacement: 6,900 tons Speed: Greater than 25 knots Depth: Greater than 800 feet, Complement: 127 officers and enlisted crew."

Built by Newport News Shipbuilding between 1979 and 1981, the Navy commissioned Norfolk into the Fleet in 1983. Norfolk is based at Naval Station Norfolk and is equipped with four torpedo tubes that are capable of firing either an MK48 torpedo or a Tomahawk cruise missile. She completed her most recent deployment in November 2012. While many of her sister boats have been deactivated, the twenty-one year old Norfolk is expected to serve at least another three years.

HRNM's model of USS Norfolk, built by Greg McKay

And remember.... 

When: Saturday, February 2, 2013 

Time: 10am to 5pm 

Where: At HRNM (2nd floor of Nauticus) 

Cost: FREE!

USS Norfolk (DL-1) and UNITAS VI, 1965

USS Norfolk (DL-1) during UNITAS VI, 1965

The museum recently received several dozen photographs of USS Norfolk (DL-1) during UNITAS VI in 1965.   UNITAS (Latin for "unity") is an annual exercise the U.S. Navy has with its South American allies. Norfolk participated in several UNITAS exercises and frequently served as the flagship. The operation has been ongoing since the 1950s. UNITAS LIII was just completed last week.   

Norfolk with the Brazilian destroyer Betoiga (ex-USS Pennewill (DE-175)), with
 an S-2E Tracker anti-submarine warfare aircraft from squadron VP-23 above them.

A deck level photo of Norfolk and Betoiga

Colombian destroyer Antioquia (ex-USS Hale (DD-642))

Forecastle of USS Norfolk (DL-1) during UNITAS VI. 
The bell can now be seen at Wisconsin Square in downtown Norfolk.

Peruvian destroyer Guise (ex-USS Isherwood (DD-520)) with USS Van Voorhis (DE-1028).

USS Atule (SS-403) during UNITAS VI.  Frequently, UNITASs served as anti-submarine warfare training operations.

USS Norfolk Builder's Model

By popular demand, we present a picture of the builder's model of the large destroyer-type USS Norfolk (DL-1).  This particular model is made out of wood, and like many builder's models, is extremely simplistic in design.  Only the ship's hull, major weapons, and superstructure are present, and more detailed pieces of equipment, such as sonar, radar, radio masts, and smaller weapons are left off.  The purpose of any builder's model is to serve as a starting point for debate and discussion among stakeholders with the Department of the Navy.  Thus, it is pointless for the model-maker to place certain pieces on the ship when designers had not decided amongst themselves if the ship was going to have 3-inch/70, 3-inch/50, or 5-inch/38 guns as her main battery. 

For many years, this model was located at the quarterdeck for several different local commands, including Commander, Navy Region, Mid-Atlantic.  At the moment, it is in the museum's artifact storage facility.    

This particular model served as an example of a future U.S. Navy warship but also as an example of the future of U.S. Naval surface forces in the post-World War II environment.  Having been tested by opposing air and submarine technologies during the war, U.S. Naval surface forces needed a completely new type of platform to meet future threats.  Norfolk was the Navy's first attempt to make such a platform. 

USS Norfolk (DL-1)

This is the front third of the "destroyer leader" USS Norfolk, the lead ship in a new class of post-World War II destroyers. She was a great experiment. She new types of guns, a new type of anti-submarine warfare weapon (called "Weapon Alpha"), and a new hull design. For a destroyer, she was a large vessel (5,700 tons vs. 2,100 tons) as she was built on the hull lines of a light cruiser. Despite the size, her design is very pleasing on the eye and almost has a science fiction like feel to it.

However, like many experimental warships throughout the history of the Navy, Norfolk had many problems and was not a tremendous success. However, the lessons learned served the Fleet well in developing other future destroyer types.