The Launching of a Legend

Construction of the Big E at Newport News Shipbuilding is near completion in 1960, just days away from her maiden voyage.

The Launching of a Legend
Archive photo scan courtesy of Joe Munno


The USS Enterprise was launched from Newport News Shipbuilding on September 24th, 1960.
Since then the Big E has returned to Newport News a number of times for retrofits, overhauls and refueling.


Significant USS Enterprise shipyard periods
  • 1958: Keel laid at Newport News Shipbuilding, February 4, 1958
  • 1960: Launched from Newport News Shipbuilding, September 24, 1960
  • 1964: First overhaul and refueling, NNS
  • 1970: Overhaul and refueling, NNS
  • 1973: Retrofit and alterations, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, WA.
    Official designation changed from CVAN-65 to CVN-65 at this time.
  • 1979-82: Retrofit including new island, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard
  • 1990-94: Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH), NNS.
  • 1995: Selected Restricted Availability (SRA) upgrades, NNS
  • 1997: Selected Restricted Availability (SRA) upgrades, NNS

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