USS New York City SSN 696 – History of the Fast Attack Submarine & Navy Decals

USS New York City (SSN 696): The City That Never Sleeps — Beneath the Waves

Named for the greatest city in America, USS New York City (SSN 696) carried that proud name silently through the world's oceans as one of the U.S. Navy's most capable fast attack submarines.

Ship History

USS New York City was a Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine commissioned on March 3, 1979, at Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia. The Los Angeles class was the backbone of the Cold War submarine force — fast, deep-diving, and armed with a formidable array of torpedoes and missiles.

Throughout her service life, New York City conducted intelligence-gathering patrols, anti-submarine warfare exercises, and special operations support missions across the Atlantic and beyond. Like all fast attack submarines of her era, her specific operations remain largely classified — a testament to the critical and sensitive nature of her work.

She was decommissioned on April 30, 1997, after 18 years of distinguished service beneath the waves.

Hull Number Explained

SSN 696 designates:

• SS — Submarine
• N — Nuclear powered
• 696 — Her hull number within the Los Angeles class

The Los Angeles class (SSN 688–773) was the largest class of nuclear submarines ever built by the United States, with 62 boats commissioned over three decades.

Shop USS New York City (SSN 696) Products

Honor your service or a loved one's time aboard SSN 696:

• USS New York City Vinyl Decals – Navy Vinyl Decals Collection
• USS New York City License Plate Frames – Navy Plate Frames Collection
• USS New York City License Plates – Navy License Plates Collection

All items proudly display the ship's name and hull number, made in the USA.