Launching Ceremony
You can check out the excellent photos (below). Click on the images to see them larger.
Or you can read the speeches by following this link.
LOLA’S INCREDIBLY RARE “SHIPYARD PHOTOS” BOOK (LAUNCHING)
INGALLS NUCLEAR SHIPBUILDING
DIVISION OF LITTON INDUSTRIES
PASCAGOULA, MISSISSIPPI
LAUNCHING
USS TUNNY SSN 682
JUNE 10, 1972
SENATOR AND MRS. GEORGE D. AIKEN
Image # L1 – Horseshoe Plaque
Lola Aiken, Sponsor, gave this to TUNNY’s crew. It hung over the Stateroom door. (But wasn’t present at decommissioning, so its fate is a mystery.
Image # L5
Listed from left to right:
Mrs. Douglas Robie (Matron of Honor)
Mrs. Lola Aiken, Sponsor
Mr. Ned Marandino (President of Ingalls Nuclear Shipbuilding)
Image # L7
Mr. Ned Marandino (President of Ingalls Nuclear Shipbuilding) gives his “Welcome” speech.
Image # L9
Listed from left to right:
Reverend Joseph Mercier, Pastor of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Pascagoula, MS
Mrs. Douglas Robie (Matron of Honor)
ADM H.G. Rickover, Deputy Commander for Nuclear Propulsion, Naval Ship Systems Command, and Director, Division of Naval Reactors, Atomic Energy Commission
Mrs. Lola Aiken, Sponsor
Image # L12
Listed from left to right:
Mrs. Lola Aiken, Sponsor
Senator George D. Aiken
ADM H.G. Rickover, Deputy Commander for Nuclear Propulsion, Naval Ship Systems Command, and Director, Division of Naval Reactors, Atomic Energy Commission
Image # L13
Listed from left to right:
Mrs. Lola Aiken, Sponsor
Mrs. Douglas Robie (Matron of Honor)
Senator George D. Aiken
ADM H.G. Rickover, Deputy Commander for Nuclear Propulsion, Naval Ship Systems Command, and Director, Division of Naval Reactors, Atomic Energy Commission
Mr. Ned Marandino (President of Ingalls Nuclear Shipbuilding)
Image # L14
Listed from left to right:
Mr. William “Fishbait” Miller, Doorkeeper of the House of Representatives
Mrs. Lola Aiken, Sponsor
Mrs. Douglas Robie (Matron of Honor)
ADM H.G. Rickover, Deputy Commander for Nuclear Propulsion, Naval Ship Systems Command, and Director, Division of Naval Reactors, Atomic Energy Commission
Senator George D. Aiken
Mr. Ned Marandino (President of Ingalls Nuclear Shipbuilding)
Image # L16 – Launch
Interesting note 1: If you look in the bridge cockpit, you’ll see CDR Dennis Sloan, Commanding Officer USS TUNNY (SSN 682). Look closely near his right arm to see hid dad, Colonel Donald Sloan, USAF (Ret.) blowing the ship’s whistle.
Interesting note 2: The 2 guys on the sail are part of ADM Charles Payne’s organization. (Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair, Pascagoula)
Interesting note 3: Look closely 3/4 way down the part side of TUNNY, you’ll see a cable connected to a drag anchor. This drag anchor causes the ship to turn (stern to port side) and avoid collision that would occur if the ship traveled straight across the channel.
Image # L18
Listed from left to right:
Mrs. Douglas Robie (Matron of Honor)
ADM H.G. Rickover, Deputy Commander for Nuclear Propulsion, Naval Ship Systems Command, and Director, Division of Naval Reactors, Atomic Energy Commission
Mrs. Lola Aiken, Sponsor
Mr. Ned Marandino (President of Ingalls Nuclear Shipbuilding)
Image # L19
Listed from left to right:
ADM Dolan (?)
Ms. Rosina Pierotti (Lola’s sister)
Mrs. Douglas Robie (Matron of Honor)
ADM H.G. Rickover, Deputy Commander for Nuclear Propulsion, Naval Ship Systems Command, and Director, Division of Naval Reactors, Atomic Energy Commission
Mrs. Lola Aiken, Sponsor
Senator George D. Aiken
ADM Charles Payne, Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair, Pascagoula
Mr. Ned Marandino (President of Ingalls Nuclear Shipbuilding)
Image # L20
Listed from left to right:
ADM Dolan (with NAVSEA)?
?
Mrs. Douglas Robie (Matron of Honor)
ADM H.G. Rickover, Deputy Commander for Nuclear Propulsion, Naval Ship Systems Command, and Director, Division of Naval Reactors, Atomic Energy Commission
Mr. William “Fishbait” Miller, Doorkeeper of the House of Representatives (he is holding Lola’s gifts)
Mrs. Lola Aiken, Sponsor
Senator George D. Aiken
ADM Charles Payne, Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair, Pascagoula
Mr. Ned Marandino (President of Ingalls Nuclear Shipbuilding)
Image # L21
Listed from left to right:
Mr. Ned Marandino (President of Ingalls Nuclear Shipbuilding)
ADM H.G. Rickover, Deputy Commander for Nuclear Propulsion, Naval Ship Systems Command, and Director, Division of Naval Reactors, Atomic Energy Commission
Image # L22
Listed from left to right:
Senator George D. Aiken
ADM H.G. Rickover, Deputy Commander for Nuclear Propulsion, Naval Ship Systems Command, and Director, Division of Naval Reactors, Atomic Energy Commission
Image # L24
Listed from left to right:
? Who is she? Sent inquiry to Lola.
Senator George D. Aiken
Mrs. Lola Aiken, Sponsor
ADM Charles Payne, Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair, Pascagoula
Interesting note 1: If you lbehind ADM Payne, you’ll see CDR Sloan’s daughters. Far right is Lisa with a cast on her arm, and Linda is partially visible to his left.
Interesting note 2: Lisa asked Rickover to sign her cast. He did, only an “X” with a circle around it.
Possible USN explanation: Circle the step you are at, X it off when the step is complete. We did it with maintenance and procedures.
Image # L25
Listed from left to right:
ADM Charles Payne, Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair, Pascagoula
Mrs. Douglas Robie (Matron of Honor)
ADM H.G. Rickover, Deputy Commander for Nuclear Propulsion, Naval Ship Systems Command, and Director, Division of Naval Reactors, Atomic Energy Commission
Mrs. Lola Aiken, Sponsor
Image # L26
Listed from left to right:
Mrs. Lola Aiken, Sponsor
Mrs. Douglas Robie (Matron of Honor)
Mr. Ned Marandino (President of Ingalls Nuclear Shipbuilding)
ADM Dolan? Navsea?
Senator George D. Aiken
Image # L27
Listed from left to right:
ADM H.G. Rickover, Deputy Commander for Nuclear Propulsion, Naval Ship Systems Command, and Director, Division of Naval Reactors, Atomic Energy Commission
Mrs. Lola Aiken, Sponsor
Senator George D. Aiken
Image # L29 – Gift for Lola
Listed from left to right:
ADM H.G. Rickover, Deputy Commander for Nuclear Propulsion, Naval Ship Systems Command, and Director, Division of Naval Reactors, Atomic Energy Commission
Mrs. Lola Aiken, Sponsor
Mr. Ned Marandino (President of Ingalls Nuclear Shipbuilding)
Image # L31
Listed from left to right:
ADM Charles Payne, Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair, Pascagoula
Mrs. Douglas Robie (Matron of Honor)
ADM H.G. Rickover, Deputy Commander for Nuclear Propulsion, Naval Ship Systems Command, and Director, Division of Naval Reactors, Atomic Energy Commission
Mr. Ned Marandino (President of Ingalls Nuclear Shipbuilding)
Senator George D. Aiken