Elizabeth Celebrates the Birthplace of the US Navy’s Submarine Force

In early April we celebrated Elizabeth NJ as the birthplace of the US Navy’s Submarine force – the city where the first commissioned US Navy submarine was built – the USS Holland (SS-1) – launched 1897 and commissioned in October of 1900. We spent several days in and around Elizabeth, NJ.

We visited schools, a manufacturing company, joined the ship’s sponsor and local police for dinner, visited the Statue of Liberty, toured the Battleship NEW JERSEY, set up a display at Newark Airport to tell people about the new submarine, visited with the NJ Devils NHL team, spent time at a historic Elizabeth church, conducted interviews with the Mayor of Elizabeth, and a local Portuguese TV station.

Photos below show some of the highlights.

There were several proclamations read out, including one from NJ Governor Muphy and Lt. Governor Oliver recognizing Elizabeth as the birthplace of the nation’s Submarine Force, having built the USS HOLLAND (SS 1), the first commissioned US Navy submarine. This proclamation was presented to Elizabeth’s mayor, Mayor Bollwage.