USS Miami (SSN-755)

USS Miami (SSN-755) was a Los Angeles-class submarine of the United States Navy. The vessel was the third U.S. Navy ship to be named for Miami, Florida. Commissioned in 1990, she served for over two decades in the Atlantic Fleet before being decommissioned in 2014 following a severe fire.

Construction and commissioning

The contract for the construction of USS Miami was awarded to General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut, on 6 February 1984. Her keel was laid down on 24 October 1986 at the Quonset Point facility. The submarine was launched on 12 November 1988, sponsored by Mrs. Marjorie S. Webb, the wife of former United States Senator James R. Sasser. Following a fitting-out period and sea trials, Miami was commissioned into active service on 30 June 1990 at Naval Submarine Base New London, with Commander Thomas W. Mader in command. The ceremony was attended by dignitaries including Secretary of the Navy H. Lawrence Garrett III.

Operational history

Following shakedown and post-shakedown availability, Miami was assigned to Submarine Squadron 4 and began her operational service. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, she conducted numerous deployments to the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and the Arctic Ocean, participating in exercises and operations with NATO allies. The submarine was a frequent participant in ICEX exercises, operating beneath the polar ice cap. In 1999, she conducted a highly publicized port visit to Portland, Maine, and in 2003, she deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Homeported at Naval Submarine Base New London, Miami underwent several major maintenance periods, including an engineered refueling overhaul at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine, which was completed in 2008.

2012 fire and decommissioning

On 23 May 2012, while undergoing a scheduled overhaul at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, a devastating fire broke out aboard Miami. The blaze, which started in the forward compartment, raged for over ten hours and caused extensive damage. Investigations by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives later determined the fire was deliberately set by a civilian shipyard worker, Casey James Fury. Fury pleaded guilty to arson and was sentenced to over 17 years in federal prison. The United States Department of Defense initially estimated repair costs at $450 million but later deemed the submarine not economically viable to restore. Consequently, the Chief of Naval Operations approved her inactivation. USS Miami was officially decommissioned on 28 March 2014 and her name was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register. The hull was subsequently scrapped at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard through the Ship-Submarine Recycling Program.

Awards and legacy

During her service life, USS Miami earned several unit awards, including the Navy Unit Commendation, the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, and multiple Battle Efficiency "E" Ribbons. Her crew also received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for various deployments. The submarine's motto, "Pride Runs Deep," reflected the dedication of her sailors. The loss of Miami to the 2012 fire had a significant impact on the United States Submarine Force, reducing the operational fleet of ''Los Angeles''-class boats and highlighting vulnerabilities during shipyard maintenance periods. Her name remains on the navy list, honoring the city of Miami and the service of her crews.

Category:Los Angeles-class submarines Category:Ships built in Connecticut Category:1990 ships