With 230 miles of coastline and famous for its seafood, Maine's identity has always shared a strong bond with the sea. It should come as little surprise then that "The Pine Tree" state has an illustrious naval history. More than 30 ships have been named for Maine, its cities, places, and people. Three ships alone have been named after the state itself, including two battleships (
BB 10 and
BB 69) and an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN 741).
Famous Mainers with naval ties include
Charles Frederick Hughes, the fourth Chief of Naval Operations, who expanded naval aviation and obtained authorization to build
USS Ranger (CV 4), the first vessel designed and built from the keel up as an aircraft carrier. Kittery, Maine, is home to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, a vital facility for the overhaul, repair of the U.S. Navy's nuclear powered submarine fleet. Check out our infographic for more information on the Sailors, ships, and places in Maine with ties to naval history and heritage!