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Commissioning of USS Virginia Ushers in New Era of Undersea WarfareStory Number: NNS041025-09Release Date: 10/25/2004 6:10:00 PMBy Chief Journalist (SW/AW) Mark O. Piggott, Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet Public AffairsNORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The first nuclear-powered Virginia-class fast-attack submarine, USS Virginia (SSN 774), was commissioned Oct. 23 at Norfolk Naval Station here. Commander, Naval Submarine Forces, Vice Adm. Charles L. Munns gave the order to commission the ship. “Capt. Kern, you and your men have much to be proud of, but also more work to do,” Munns said. “You must steer Virginia around this dangerous and uncertain world....

NORFOLK, Va. -- With bells ringing and horns blaring, the Navy on Saturday commissioned the lead ship of its latest class of fast-attack submarines specifically designed for post-Cold War security threats. The $2.2 billion, nuclear-powered USS Virginia differs from other submarines because it can not only roam the deep blue ocean but also get close to shore in shallow water, which Navy officials say is important in fighting terrorism. Lynda Robb Johnson, daughter of President Lyndon Johnson and wife of former Sen. Charles Robb, D-Va., gave the traditional order to "man our ship and bring her to life" in ceremonies...

  No. 594-03 IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 14, 2003 Navy Christens Newest Attack Submarine Virginia      The U.S. Navy will christen Virginia, lead ship of the latest class of attack submarines, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2003, during an 11 a.m. EDT ceremony at Electric Boat in Groton, Conn.      Sen. George Allen of Virginia will deliver the ceremony’s principal address. Lynda Johnson Robb, wife of former Sen. Charles Robb of Virginia and the daughter of 36th President Lyndon Baines Johnson, will serve as ship’s sponsor.      The ceremony will be highlighted in the time-honored Navy tradition when Robb christens the ship...

Confederate blockade runners and federal ships played a game of cat and mouse during the Civil War as the Union attempted to put a stranglehold on exports and imports in the South.It was a game the Acadia lost.The Acadia, a blockade runner, was on its way to the mouth of the Brazos River on Feb. 5, 1865, when it hit a sand bar about 10 miles northeast of present day Surfside Beach. The crew made it to shore, but the ship was blasted to pieces the next day by the USS Virginia.The mast of the Acadia remained visible from the...