USS Skipjack (SSN-585) USS Skipjack (SSN-585) USS "Skipjack" (SSN-585), the lead ship of her class of nuclear-powered attack submarine, was the third ship of the United States Navy to be named after the Skipjack tuna. Her keel was laid down on 29 May 1956 by the Electric Boat Division of the General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut. She was launched on 26 May 1958, sponsored by Helen Mahon, wife of Representative George H. Mahon from the 19th District of Texas, and commissioned on 15 April 1959 with Commander W. W. Behrens, Jr., in command. On the "Skipjack", there were many design changes that
Helen Virginia (Skipjack boat) yards out and started crying." "When we crossed the finish line we were hugging and crying," said April Benton. Captain Ennerfelt donated the $1,000 prize back to the race sponsor, the Deal Island-Chance Lions Club. "Helen Virginia" has continued to race in skipjack events, including the 18th Annual Choptank Heritage Skipjack Race in Cambridge, MD in 2014, placing fourth. She also represented the skipjacks of the Chesapeake Bay at the 2014 Annapolis Boat Show. She will be working dredging oysters off Deal Island during oyster harveting season, and will resume racing in the off-season. Helen Virginia (Skipjack boat) The Helen