Naval Submarine Base New London   (Subase NLON)

Commissioned in 1868 and opened in 1872, the Naval Submarine Base in New London (CT) was the U.S. Navy’s first submarine base and is dubbed “Home of the Submarine Force.”  Located on Connecticut’s Thames River, the base began with 112 acres, 2 brick buildings, and a T-shaped pier.  Today, the base measures about 687 acres.  It’s also home to 530 acres of family housing, 18 attack submarines, and the Navy's nuclear research deep submersible NR-1. 

In addition, the base supports more than 70 tenant commands including, Commander Navy Region Northeast, Commander Submarine Group 2, Naval Submarine School, Naval Submarine Support Facility, three submarine squadron staffs, and the housing and support facilities for more than 21,000 civilian workers, active-duty service members and their families.

At the beginning of its life, Subase NLON was used as a coaling station for Atlantic Fleet small craft.  Just before World War I, however, the base began its work with submarines, and during the war, it received its commissioning as the first naval submarine base in the U.S.  The base saw a swelling in personnel during World War II as well and remains a very active location.

Today, because 18 attack submarines are located here and because the base is neighbor to one of the world’s busiest submarine construction facilities (Electric Boat), the Navy notes that “all officers and most enlisted submariners will be stationed here for training, a tour aboard an attack submarine, or with a pre-commissioning crew while their new submarine is under construction.”

If you trained or worked on or around the submarines at Naval Submarine Base New London and have contracted an asbestos-related disease, you are not alone.  Over the past several decades, dozens of shipyard employees have been exposed to hazardous airborne asbestos while performing a number of different jobs and tasks.  If you are one of the afflicted, you’ll want to be informed as to the specifics of mesothelioma and your options for legal recourse.  For more details, order our Mesothelioma Information Kit today.