USS Delaware home from commissioning ceremony

April 07, 2022 12:00 am • Last Updated: April 07, 2022 10:14 pm

By Sean D. Elliot
Director of Photography

The U.S. Navy Virginia-class attack submarine USS Delaware (SSN 791), escorted by the Thames Towboat Co. tug John P. Wronowski, and the Cross Sound Ferry M/V Jennifer C. pass New London Harbor Light on Thursday, April 7, 2022, in the Thames River. The submarine was en route to the Naval Submarine Base in Groton, returning from a commissioning ceremony in Delaware. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day)
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Groton — The U.S. Navy Virginia-class attack submarine USS Delaware (SSN 791) returned to the the Naval Submarine Base on Thursday from a commissioning ceremony in its namesake state.

Delaware, the eighth and final of the Block III submarines that feature a revised bow, including some technology from Ohio-class SSGNs, or guided missile submarines. It was commissioned administratively in April 2020 after the standard commissioning ceremony was canceled due to public health concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic. Delaware was the first-ever U.S. boat commissioned while underwater.

The official commissioning ceremony occurred Saturday, April 2, at The Port of Wilmington, Delaware, with first lady Jill Biden, the boat's sponsor, and her husband, President Joe Biden, in attendance.

The U.S. Navy Virginia-class attack submarine USS Delaware (SSN 791) meets with the Thames Towboat Co. tug John P. Wronowski to pick up harbor pilot Richard Willette in the mouth of the Thames River while en route to the Naval Submarine Base in Groton on Thursday, April 7, 2022, returning from a commissioning ceremony in Delaware. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day)
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Crew members on the bow of the U.S. Navy Virginia-class attack submarine USS Delaware (SSN 791) deploy the retractable mooring cleats Thursday, April 7, 2022, as the sub transits the Thames River past Fort Trumbull State Park and the Coast Guard barque Eagle in New London while en route to the Naval Submarine Base in Groton. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day)
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Crew members on the bow of the U.S. Navy Virginia-class attack submarine USS Delaware (SSN 791) deploy the retractable mooring cleats Thursday, April 7, 2022, as the sub transits the Thames River while en route to the Naval Submarine Base in Groton. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day)
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The U.S. Navy Virginia-class attack submarine USS Delaware (SSN 791) meets up with the Thames Towboat Co. tug John P. Wronowski to pick up harbor pilot Richard Willette in the mouth of the the Thames River on Thursday, April 7, 2022, while en route to the Naval Submarine Base in Groton. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day)
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