On February 7, EB turned 120 years old, and Sam Grills has been on the job for more than half that time. A structural designer in D471, Grills now holds the record as EB’s longest-serving active employee with 62 years of service. The 81-year old joined EB in 1956, fresh out of Westerly High School.
Grills has witnessed, firsthand, EB’s entire lineup of nuclear submarines. Although he wasn’t yet an employee when Nautilus (SSN 571) launched, his older brother was; he got Grills a ticket to see the first nuclear submarine slide into the Thames river from the South Yard Ways on Jan. 21, 1954.
“The first nuclear Seawolf (SSN 575) was birthed right next to it,” said Grills. “Then, when I joined EB in 1956, the company was about six months out from launching Skate (SSN 578), the third nuclear submarine.”
Grills recalls how the company created the first ballistic-missile submarine. “They were building the 585 (Skipjack) class, when they got the contract to put the missile compartment on one of the boats. They took the 589 boat, the Scorpion, which was pretty near built on the shipyard ways, spread apart the bow and stern, and put the missile compartment in the middle. That’s how the first SSBN, USS George Washington, came to be. They built another Scorpion, which, tragically, was lost at sea in 1968.”
Grills was hired in as an apprentice draftsman, became a journeyman shipfitter and then transferred to the drawing room eight years later. “Upon reflection, I’m glad I had those eight years in the shipyard; you can’t buy experience like that,” said Grills. That experience included a few arctic-cold winters in the early 1960’s.
“Back then all the floors were dirt in the construction ways. In the winter, they would have a big coke (coal derivative) bin, for heating. You’d go in and fill a five-gallon bucket and throw it in what they called the salamander, a stove fabricated from a big barrel connected to an air hose. We’d stand in front of it, roasting on one side and freezing on the other. I’ll never forget those cold snaps.”
Grills worked on Triton, SSRN 586, the only U.S. submarine with twin nuclear reactors, and the largest submarine of its time. During her shakedown cruise, Triton successfully executed the first submerged circumnavigation of the world, following the same track as the first circumnavigation led by Ferdinand Magellan. A few years back, Grills was interviewed and filmed for the PBS documentary Triton: America’s Deep Secret, which premiered on PBS stations in the fall of 2018.
For all the EB history he’s lived, Grill’s advice for new employees hasn’t changed much over the years: “Get up, dress up, show up. Keep breathing.”
Safety Update: Installation of Speed Tables on Eastern Point Road
In an effort to increase safety at Electric Boat’s Groton shipyard, two speed tables are being installed across Eastern Point Road this week. The tables, a few inches tall and marked with yellow stripes, are designed to slow vehicle traffic in an area frequented by pedestrians. The first speed table crosses Eastern Point Road just...Continue reading→
EB firefighters recognized for life-saving rescues
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The Barnacle: Parking Enforcement That Sticks
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Honoring the U.S. Army Birthday
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Rayha Report Ep. 20: 2026 EB Signing Days
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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→
