Naval Submarine Base New London Connecticut
Naval Submarine Base New London is located in New London, Connecticut in close proximity to Groton, Connecticut. The base operates as the primary submarine base for the Navy. It is the homeport for 15 attack submarines and is situated next door to a civilian submarine manufacturing yard. All submarine training is conducted at Naval Submarine Base New London, including the Basic Enlisted Sub School (BESS). The combined population of civilian workers, military members and their families is over 21,000 people.
History
Base New London was the first submarine base for the Navy. The base first opened in 1868 as a naval yard and storage depot. Up until 1898 the base was used primarily for storing vessels that were not being used. In 1898 it was closed down and remained that way until 1900 when the Navy designated it as a coaling station for refueling small naval ships traveling through the waters of New England. The first submarines arrived in 1915.
Shortly thereafter the base became known as the New London Submarine Flotilla and Submarine School and expansion of the base began.By the end of World War I, the base was large enough to accommodate 1400 military members and 20 submarines. During World War II there was another surge in construction and expansion and the base went from 112 acres to 497 acres and housed thousands of workers.
After World War II many ships and submarines were declassified and the base seemed to be in a holding pattern until the first nuclear submarine, the Nautilus, arrived in 1954. The need for specialized training became critical and the base once again expanded.
By the 1990’s the base was home to only the attack submarines. Groton, CT became known as the submarine capital of the world. The motto for the New London base became “The first and the finest submarine base”.
Housing
The base housing became privatized in 2004. The Navy turned over 2100 housing units to the company that contracted to manage base housing. In turn, the dedicated $300 million for the purpose of constructing 559 new homes and renovating another 343 homes. The homes are placed in eight distinct neighborhoods and have from two to four bedrooms each. The management company is also providing three community centers, two swimming pools, a water park, basketball courts, playgrounds and bus shelters. The basic housing allowance will cover rent and utilities for the homes.
Temporary housing on the base is ample. The Navy Exchange operates a Navy Lodge, Navy Gateway Inns and Suites, and the Groton Chalet Hotel. The Groton/New London area has a lot of tourist activity so it is often difficult to get rooms off base and much more expensive than on base.
Off-base housing is available in a rental partnership program with landlords in the local area that provide homes and apartments at a reduced rate for military families.
Base Facilities and Services
- Two on-base chapels and one off-base chapel for all faiths to worship.
- Commissary with a 23,000 square foot sales floor.
- Navy Exchange has five separate facilities on base and one off-base.
- Navy Federal Credit Union.
The New London base is also a tourist attraction because of the historic ship Nautilus located there and the Submarine Force Museum. The local area is a major tourist destination with plenty of local recreational activity and historic works.
Location: 41.3981, -72.087
Phone: (860) 694-3011
DSN: 694-3011January 31, 2012
Housing for Rent Nearby
If you are or were in the military you could be eligible for a VA loan. That entails lower than market rates to help you buy a home rather than renting!
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650 Sq. Ft.
$1100 Monthly 1248 Sq. Ft.
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