USS Bainbridge (CGN 25)

- formerly DLGN 25 -
- decommissioned -

USS BAINBRIDGE, the world's first nuclear frigate and the fourth ship in the Navy to bear the name, was powered by two pressurized water reactors, and carried two twin Terrier missile launchers, two twin 3" .50 caliber radar controlled gun mounts, two torpedo mounts, an ASROC launcher, and was equipped with state of the art electronics and communications suites. In April 1964, during her second Mediterranean deployment, she joined USS LONG BEACH (CGN 9) for the first time and later in May, along with USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65), formed the world's first nuclear powered task group, Task Group 60.1. She entered dry dock at Mare Island Shipyard in August 1967 for her first refueling. In 1974 she began a 27 month shipyard modernization and overhaul in Bremerton, Wash. While in the shipyard, her 3" .50 caliber guns were removed and replaced with 20mm cannons, she received the AN/SPS-48 radar, and the Naval Tactical Data System was installed. Additionally, the aft superstructure was constructed and an additional level was added on the forward superstructure to support the SLQ-32. On June 30, 1975, BAINBRIDGE was redesignated a cruiser during the Navy's reorganization of ship designations; DLGN 25 became CGN 25. After deactivation, BAINBRIDGE was towed to Norfolk Naval Shipyard for defueling and preparation for the final movement of the hull to Bremerton, Washington.

General Characteristics:	Awarded: September 1, 1958
	Keel laid: May 15, 1959
	Launched: April 15, 1961
	Commissioned: October 6, 1962
	Decommissioned: September 13, 1996
	Builder: Bethlehem Steel, Quincy, Mass.
	Propulsion system: two D2G General Electric nuclear reactors
	Length: 565 feet (172.2 meters)
	Beam: 58 feet (17.7 meters)
	Draft: 26 feet (7.9 meters)
	Displacement: approx. 9,250 tons full load
	Speed: 30+ knots
	Aircraft: none, only VERTREP capable
	Armament: two Mk-10 missile launchers for Standard missiles (MR), two Mk-141 Harpoon missile launchers, two armored box launchers for Tomahawk ASM/LAM, Mk-46 torpedoes from two triple mounts, two 20mm Phalanx CIWS, one Mk-16 ASROC missile launcher
	Crew: 42 Officers, 516 Enlisted

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Crew List:

This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USS BAINBRIDGE. It is no official listing but contains the names of sailors who submitted their information.

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Click here to see which USS BAINBRIDGE memorabilia are currently for sale on ebay.

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USS BAINBRIDGE Cruise Books:

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Accidents aboard USS BAINBRIDGE:

Date	Where	Events
June 28, 1989	off Den Helder, Netherlands	USS BAINBRIDGE runs aground off the Dutch coast after calling at the port of Den Helder.

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Click here to read more about the Ship's Namesake - Commodore William Bainbridge

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USS BAINBRIDGE History:

Date	Event
May 15, 1959	Keel was laid
April 15, 1961	BAINBRIDGE was launched
October 6, 1962	Commissioning
February 5, 1963	Maiden deployment to the Mediterranean
1964	Second deployment to the Mediterranean, assigned to Task Group 60.1, the first nuclear Task Group ever.
July 27, 1964	Change of Command: Capt. Hal C. Castle relieves Capt. Ray Peet as CO
August 1, 1964	BAINBRIDGE as well as USS LONG BEACH (CGN 9) and USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) leave the Mediterranean through the Straits of Gibraltar and start Operation Sea Orbit (Around-the-world-Cruise).
September 30, 1964	BAINBRIDGE returns to Charleston, SC
October 25, 1965	BAINBRIDGE leaves Charleston on her first Vietnam Cruise.
June 21, 1966	Returns to its new homeport of Long Beach, Ca.
December 1966	Leaves on her next WestPac Cruise
December 12, 1966	Change of Command: Capt. James H. Doyle relieves Capt. Hal C. Castle as CO
Oct. 2, 1967 - May 10, 1968	Dry-docked at Naval Shipyard Mare Island, Vallejo, Ca., for refueling.
Jan. 6, 1969 - July 2, 1969	Third Vietnam War Cruise. Escort operations for the carriers KITTY HAWK, BON HOMME RICHARD, and TICONDEROGA
April 8, 1970 - Nov. 10, 1970	Fourth WestPac deployment
August 31, 1970	Change of Command: Capt. William R. Sheridan relieves Capt. James H. Doyle as CO
May 26, 1971 - Nov. 23, 1971	Fifth WestPac Cruise. Escort operations for the carriers ORISKANY, MIDWAY, and ENTERPRISE in the Tonking Gulf
Sept. 12, 1972 - April 4, 1973	Sixth WestPac deployment
Nov. 18, 1973 - March 31, 1974	Seventh WestPac Cruise
February 8, 1974	Change of Command: Capt. B. B. Newell relieves Capt. William R. Sheridan as CO
June 30, 1974 - Sept. 24, 1976	$103 million complex overhaul and refueling at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Wash.
March 16, 1977	Change of Command: Capt. T. A. Almstedt relieves Capt. B. B. Newell as CO
April 14, 1977	Arrives at its new homeport of San Diego, Ca.
Jan. 10, 1978 - Aug. 9, 1978	Eighth WestPac Cruise
1978 / 1979	Post-overhaul shipyard period at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Wash.
Aug. 8, 1979 - March 7, 1980	Ninth WestPac deployment
May 20, 1980	Change of Command: Capt. John F. Shaw relieves Capt. T. A. Almstedt as CO
Feb. 27, 1981 - Sept. 21, 1981	Tenth WestPac Cruise, BAINBRIDGE rescues more than 50 "Boat People"
Sept. 1, 1982 - April 29, 1983	Eleventh WestPac Cruise as part of the ENTERPRISE Battle Group. BAINBRIDGE rescues 51 "Boat People" and is involved in the rescue of 318 workers of a capsized oil platform off India.
June 24, 1983	Change of Command: Capt. J. P. Reason relieves Capt. John F. Shaw as CO
Oct. 23, 1983 - April 1985	Complex overhaul and refueling at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Wash. Installation of SPS-49, two Phalanx CIWS, two SLQ-32 and TACAN URN-25.
July 1985	Shifted homeport to Norfolk, Va.

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USS BAINBRIDGE Image Gallery:

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