USS Norfolk (SSN-714), a attack submarine, was the third ship of the United States Navy to be named for Norfolk, Virginia. History The contract to build her was awarded to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia on 20 February 1976 and her keel was laid down on 1 August 1979. She was launched on 31 October 1981 sponsored by Mrs. Caspar Weinberger, and commissioned on 21 May 1983. Norfolk conducted extensive trials of the next-generation torpedo, ADCAP, as well as advanced and secret acoustic experiments. The ship also made an active deployment during one of the final spurts of activity from the declining Soviet navy. On 23 July 1988 Norfolk fired the first ADCAP torpedo, sinking the ex-. On 17 January 1989, Norfolk collided with the combat stores ship in the Thimble Shoals channel as both vessels were headed to sea. Norfolk struck her starboard side into the port side of San Diego. There were no injuries, but both ships suffered damage. Norfolks commanding officer was subsequently relieved of command. The sub made a surface transit to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay for drydocking and repairs within a few days, and San Diego required dry dock repairs that were completed 10 April 1989. As a result of this collision, COMSUBLANT issued orders limiting submarine speed and passing activities while in the restricted waters of the Hampton Roads channels. On 25 August 2004, Norfolk returned to Naval Station Norfolk after a 22-month Engineering Refueling Overhaul (ERO) at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine. Norfolk was decommissioned on 11 December 2014 at her homeport of Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia. References External links Navsource: USS Norfolk Jonas Ingram Sinkex Ships built in Newport News, Virginia Los Angeles-class submarines Cold War submarines of the United States Nuclear submarines of the United States Navy United States submarine accidents Maritime incidents in 1989 1981 ships