In celebration of EB’s 120th birthday, over the last week, we’ve been sharing historical tidbits about the company through a variety of channels including Jeff Geiger’s EB Bulletin, the WIBs, Homeport, EB Landing and EB’s social media channels:
Test your knowledge by answering the questions below. The answers are provided in a link at the end of the quiz.
1.In 1775, CT’s David Bushnell built the very first torpedo boat and the first underwater craft to employ a screw propeller. What’s the name of this boat?
2.John Holland, the inventor of the first U.S. Navy submarine, was born where and when?
a.Groton, CT, United States, July 4, 1846
b.Liverpool, England, February 7, 1849
c.County Clare, Ireland, February 24, 1842
3.Who was Electric Boat’s first President?
4.What year did the first U.S. Navy Submarine, USS Holland (S-1) join the fleet?
5.Who was the first U.S. President to dive below the surface in an EB submarine?
a.William McKinley
b.Theodore Roosevelt
c.William Howard Taft
6.In what year did EB acquire the New London Ship and Engine Co. in Groton, CT?
a.1899
b.1906
c.1911
d.1916
7.In 1917, which became the first U.S. submarine to cross the Atlantic Ocean under its own power?
8.The first submarine built by Electric Boat at the Groton shipyard was the R-1, launched in 1926. Which country was it built for?
a.Great Britain
b.The U.S.
c.Russia
d.Peru
9.In 1933 the first submarine built for the U.S. Navy at Electric Boat’s Groton shipyard was launched. What was its name?
10.In what year did EB begin hiring women to perform construction work and welding tasks that had previously been performed exclusively by men?
a.1941
b.1942
c.1943
d.1944
11.How many submarines and patrol torpedo (PT) boats did EB produce over the course of WWII?
12.Which U.S. President famously commanded a PT boat that was cut in half by a Japanese destroyer in the South Pacific in 1943?
13.Between and after the world wars, EB kept the production lines busy by diversifying. Name one non-submarine product the company produced during these times.
14.What year did Capt. Hyman Rickover set the challenge for a nuclear-powered submarine?
15.In what year did the USS Nautilus declare “underway on nuclear power”?
16.How many U.S. First Ladies (future, current and former) have sponsored U.S. Navy nuclear submarines?
17.Electric Boat has pioneered the design and production of a number of small research submarines. Name one.
18.In what year did the Navy’s first fleet ballistic-missile submarine, USS George Washington (SSBN 598), go on its first strategic deterrent patrol?
a.1959
b.1960
c.1962
19.In what year was Quonset Point’s frame and cylinder manufacturing facility completed?
a.1976
b.1979
c.1980
20.What year was USS Virginia (SSN 774), the lead ship of the Virginia class, christened?
a.2002
b.2003
c.2004
21.In what year will the first Columbia-class ballistic-missile submarine go on patrol?
a.2028
b.2031
c.2033
There will be a separate story uploaded with the quiz answers.
Rayha Report Ep. 20: 2026 EB Signing Days
Electric Boat held recent Signing Day ceremonies at Cranston West High School on May 21 and the Garde Arts Center in New London on May 28. EB President Mark Rayha spoke with students about their decision to join EB and educators who prepare their students for careers in shipbuilding. Click here to see the latest installment of the Rayha...Continue reading→
Save the Date: CT Health Fairs Kick Off June 9
A Message From Dan Vieira and Kathleen Heller At EB, Safety and Wellness go far beyond meeting basic compliance standards. Our focus is on building a culture where employees can thrive in every aspect of their lives. Prioritizing wellbeing is vital to being our best on the job and at home with our families. ​​...Continue reading→
Supporting Our Neighbors Impacted by The Ledges Apartments Fire
Early Sunday morning, a devastating fire occurred at The Ledges Apartments in Groton. Eighteen fire departments, including Electric Boat’s, responded.  Thanks to the heroism of these first responders no residents were injured. The fire did, however, displace more than approximately 50 residents and destroyed or damaged 44 units in the building. Several EB employees were...Continue reading→
Pride Month Celebrations at Electric Boat
June 1st marks the start of Pride Month, a time for millions of LGBTQ+ individuals and allies around the world to come together in celebration and reflection. From film festivals and art shows, to marches and concerts, Pride is a vibrant tribute to LGBTQ+ culture, history and the relentless spirit of activism. It’s a chance...Continue reading→
Celebrating Our Next Generation of Shipbuilders
The Next Generation of Shipbuilders Takes the Stage Over the past two weeks, Electric Boat welcomed the next generation of shipbuilders at our Rhode Island and Connecticut Signing Day celebrations, marking the beginning of a journey that will help shape the future of our company and our nation’s defense. Held at Cranston High School West...Continue reading→
Update: Gold Star Bridge Project – Upcoming Traffic Impacts
CT DOT is preparing to enter the next major phase of the Gold Star Memorial Bridge Rehabilitation Project, and employees should expect new traffic patterns that may affect travel to and from EB’s Groton and New London facilities. A crossover will direct two northbound lanes onto the southbound bridge, as shown in this CT DOT...Continue reading→
PCU Utah Floats Off
PCU Utah (SSN 801) floated off the pontoon in Graving Dock #3 on Sunday, May 17, her hull seeing water for the first time. Huge congratulations to every Electric Boat shipbuilder whose hard work and dedication brought Utah to this major milestone!
Pathways to the Deep Officially Opens at Mystic Aquarium
On Monday, May 11th, we officially cut the ribbon on Pathways to the Deep, a brand-new interactive exhibit at Mystic Aquarium that connects ocean science, technology, exploration and careers through hands-on learning and discovery. This collaborative effort between General Dynamics Electric Boat, Mystic Aquarium, the Submarine Industrial Base and Build Submarines was created to spark curiosity and...Continue reading→
Electric Boat featured in ADC’s ‘Homefront’ Video Series
General Dynamics Electric Boat is featured in the latest episode of the Association of Defense Communities’ (ADC) Homefront video series, which examines military communities across the country.  The episode highlights Electric Boat’s long-standing partnership with the U.S. Navy, the generations of shipbuilders who power our mission and the opportunities ahead for the next wave of...Continue reading→
Rayha Report Ep. 19: Operations Leadership Hiring Initiative
In his latest Rayha Report, EB President Mark Rayha speaks with Chief of Talent Acquisition Meredith Kyle on the ways the company is boosting operations leadership hiring. Joining them is Konrad Wennberg and Mike Simmons, who provide insight on their internal moves from engineering to operations supervisor positions.​
