USS Massachusetts submarine commissioned in Boston Harbor as newest Virginia-class fast attack boat

The U.S. Navy has commissioned USS Massachusetts in Boston Harbor, marking the first submarine named for the Bay State. The Virginia-class fast attack submarine is the 25th in its class, built by General Dynamics Electric Boat and Newport News Shipbuilding. Officials highlighted Massachusetts’ maritime ties and the vessel’ return to Boston.

The USS Massachusetts entered active service on Saturday after a commissioning ceremony in Boston Harbor. The Virginia-class fast attack submarine is the first submarine named after the Bay State. The submarine can dive deeper than 800 feet, or 240 metres. It was christened on May 6, 2023, with Sheryl Sandberg as the sponsor.

The vessel is the 25th Virginia-Class submarine built by General Dynamics Electric Boat and Newport News Shipbuilding. It is also the fifth U.S. Navy vessel to carry the name Massachusetts. The submarine cost over $2.8 billion. It weighs about 8,000 tons and can carry 24 Tomahawk cruise missiles.

USS Massachusetts commissioning ceremony and Massachusetts legacy

During Saturday’s ceremony, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey linked the commissioning to the state’s maritime role. "The commissioning of the USS Massachusetts is a proud moment for Massachusetts and our country, especially as we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation,\" Healey said. Healey added that the ship continues a long tradition of service.

For Sheryl Sandberg, the event also reflected Massachusetts’ place in the nation’s founding. Sandberg said the ceremony brought to mind how the state shaped the United States. Sandberg also noted that people are still fighting for the same freedoms. Sandberg served as the former COO of Meta.

USS Massachusetts crew and gender-integrated submarines

The crew has 147 sailors, including 39 women. This comes 16 years after the ban on women on submarines ended. The USS New Jersey, commissioned in 2024, was the first submarine built with changes for a gender-integrated crew. The USS Massachusetts was designed to be served on by women and men.

\"The ship is intentionally designed to be served on by both women and men. That is pretty exciting. Twenty five percent of this crew is female,\" Sandberg said. \"Those sailors just dont inspire me. They inspire every little girl out there to believe that she could do anything.\"

USS Massachusetts commander comments and deployment details

Cmdr. Mike Siedsma spoke on Friday ahead of the commissioning. \"To be able to take a ship from new construction and watch it be built together by the ship yard, train with our team and bring into Boston Harbor for the first time, its very amazing,\" Siedsma said. Siedsma is a 21-year Navy veteran.

Siedsma also spoke about Boston Harbor and past visits by submarines. \"I looked at the history books. I dont think weve had a submarine in Boston Harbor since sometime in the late 80s or early 90s,\" Siedsma said. Siedsma has served on four different submarine classes.

Siedsma did not disclose where the submarine was heading next. A U.S. submarine sank an Iranian warship off Sri Lanka earlier this month. That happened during the war with Iran. \"The geopolitical situation is very interesting,\" Siedsma said. \"What is important to remember is what we are doing is proving the power of the United States Navy.\"

USS Massachusetts history and features shown on tour

Earlier Navy ships also carried the state’s name. The first was the USS Massachusetts, a steamer built in 1845. The most recent was USS Massachusetts, BB 59, commissioned in 1942. That South Dakota-class fast battleship served mainly in the Pacific. Much of its service was during World War II.

Reporters toured the submarine on Friday and viewed several spaces. The route passed the control room and the torpedo room. The tour also included the dining hall. The ward room has a mug rack made with wood from Massachusetts counties. This Old House donated the wood for the rack.

Siedsma described the donation and its link to the state. \"It was an incredible donation. Very great connection to the state and the commonwealth,\" Siedsma said. \"Its beautiful.\" The commissioning placed the USS Massachusetts into the fleet. It also marked a new chapter for a ship tied closely to Massachusetts.

With inputs from PTI