USS South Dakota to be christened at Connecticut shipyard

GROTON, Conn. – Dignitaries from Connecticut, Rhode Island and South Dakota will be gathering at the Electric Boat Shipyard to help launch a new submarine.

The USS South Dakota will be christened Saturday at the Groton shipyard. It marks the 17th Virginia-class submarine commissioned by the U.S. Navy and built by General Dynamics Electric Boat.

Electric Boat President Jeff Geiger and Gen. Martin Dempsey, the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will be on hand for the ceremony.

Gov. Dennis Daugaard, Lt. Gov. Matt Michels and U.S. Rep. Michael Rounds, all Republicans representing South Dakota, are scheduled to attend.

The Connecticut contingent includes Democrats Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal and U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney. Democratic Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed is also attending.