USS Rhode Island (SSBN-740)

USS Rhode Island (SSBN-740), is a United States Navy ballistic missile submarine which has been in commission since 1994. She is the third U.S. Navy ship to be named for Rhode Island, the 13th state.

Construction and commissioning
Originally, another Ohio-class submarine, SSBN-730, was to have been named Rhode Island; a contract was awarded in 1977 for SSBN-730's construction and her keel was laid in 1981 with the Rhode Island name planned for the completed submarine. However, shortly after the sudden death of United States Senator Henry M. Jackson of Washington, SSBN-730 was renamed USS Henry M. Jackson (SSBN-730) while still under construction. The Rhode Island name was transferred to SSBN-740, for which a construction contract had not yet been awarded.

The contract to build Rhode Island (SSBN-740) was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut, on 5 January 1988 and her keel was laid down there on 15 September 1988. She was launched on 17 July 1993, sponsored by Mrs. Kati Machthley, and commissioned on 9 July 1994, with Captain John K. Eldridge commanding the Blue Crew and Commander Michael Maxfield commanding the Gold Crew.

Service history
On 11 August 2009, Rhode Island rescued five Bahamian fishermen whose boat had capsized on 7 August 2009. Rhode Island's medical staff tended to the four men and one boy before transferring them to a ship which took them to shore for further treatment.

In 2010 Rhode Island was awarded the Battle "E" for Squadron 20. In 2011 Rhode Island was awarded the Omaha Trophy in recognition for superior performance and setting fleet standards in the field of strategic deterrence.

USS Rhode Island in popular culture
On 8 May 2007, Rhode Island was named the "official ballistic missile submarine" of the American satirical television show The Colbert Report after Rhode Island crewmembers submitted photos of a "Colbert Nation" poster taken in different locations aboard the vessel.