USS Enterprise (CVN-65)

The eighth USS Enterprise (CVN-65) was the world's first nuclear aircraft carrier and the seventh U.S. Navy ship of the name. As of 2005, the ship is homeported at Norfolk, Virginia, and scheduled for retirement in 2013.

Related Topics:
Aircraft carrier - U.S. Navy - Ship of the name - As of 2005 - Norfolk, Virginia

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Like her predecessor of World War II fame, she is nicknamed the "Big E". At 1,101 feet, she remains the longest aircraft carrier in the world, though her 85,600 tons are surpassed by the Nimitz class. Enterprise's eight-reactor propulsion design was rather conservative, with each A2W reactor taking the place of one boiler.

Related Topics:
Her predecessor - World War II - ''Nimitz'' class - A2W reactor

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Enterprise was intended to be the first of a class of six, but construction costs ballooned and the remaining vessels were never laid down. CV-66 was ordered as a conventional Kitty Hawk-class aircraft carrier. CVN-67, with a new reactor design, was reordered during construction as the conventionally-powered John F. Kennedy. Series production of nuclear carriers finally commenced with USS Nimitz (CVN-68), the first of 10 Nimitz supercarriers.

Related Topics:
CV-66 - ''John F. Kennedy'' - USS ''Nimitz'' (CVN-68)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Enterprise's keel was laid in 1958 by at Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company. She was launched on 24 September 1960, sponsored by Mrs. W. B. Franke, wife of the former Secretary of the Navy. She was commissioned on 25 November 1961 with Captain Vincent P. DePoix in command.

Related Topics:
1958 - Newport News Shipbuilding - Launched - 24 September - 1960 - W. B. Franke - Secretary of the Navy - Commissioned - 25 November - 1961

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~