Grace Stanke, Miss America 2023 and Miss Wisconsin 2022 represents Wisconsin at the USS Wisconsin submarine keel laying ceremony in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, August 27, 2025. (Image courtesy ofGeneral Dynamics Electric Boat)
(WTAQ-WLUK) — A submarine being built for the U.S. Navy honors Wisconsin’s maritime legacy.
General Dynamics Electric Boat laid the keel of submarine Wisconsin (SSBN 827) in a ceremony Wednesday at its Quonset Point facility in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. The keel laying event celebrates the ceremonial birth of the ship during which the ship’s sponsor welds their initials onto a plate that will later be affixed to the submarine. Because submarines have round hulls and do not have a keel, the ceremonial plate will be mounted in a place of honor on the ship permanently. Dr. Kelly Geurts, Navy personnel, is the future USS Wisconsin’s sponsor.
The Wisconsin is the second ship in the new Columbia Class of ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) being built for the U.S. Navy by Electric Boat.
“This submarine honors Wisconsin citizens, the state’s rich maritime history and long-time shipbuilding ties to the U.S. Navy,” said Mark Rayha, president of General Dynamics Electric Boat. “With a focus on strategic deterrence, this submarine is critical for our national defense and will be built with the commitment to excellence our shipbuilders bring to their work each and every day.”
The keel laying ceremony for the future USS Wisconsin (SSBN 827) is being held on her “hull number date,” Aug. 27 (8/27).
Governor Tony Evers made a proclamation making Aug. 27 “USS Wisconsin (SSBN 827) Keel Laying Day.”
Grace Stanke, Miss America 2023, Miss Wisconsin 2022 and Honorary USS Wisconsin SSBN 827 Association Board Director, read the proclamation at the Keel Laying ceremony.
Construction of Wisconsin is under way at Electric Boat’s Quonset Point facility with the support of more than 3,000 suppliers from around the country, including principal subcontractor Newport News Shipbuilding, and 300 suppliers from Wisconsin.
This submarine follows in the tradition of the two previous ships named USS Wisconsin: Battleship BB-9, commissioned in 1901, and the flagship of the Pacific Fleet, Battleship BB-64, which earned six battle stars for service in World War II and Korea, as well as the Navy Unit Commendation for service during the Gulf War.
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