2008-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2008
RICKOVER, Hyman G. (1898-1986) was known as the "Father of the Nuclear Navy", which as of July 2007 had produced 200 nuclear-powered submarines, and 23 nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and cruisers, though many of these U.S. vessels are now decommissioned and others under construction. With his unique personality, political connections, responsibilities and depth of knowledge regarding naval nuclear propulsion, Rickover became the longest-serving active duty military officer in U.S. history with 63 years of continuous service. Rickover's substantial legacy of technical achievements includes the United States Navy's continuing record of zero reactor accidents, as defined by the uncontrolled release of fission products subsequent to reactor core damage. Typed Letter Signed, “H.G. Rickover” 3p. quarto, on USS Benjamin Franklin lettersheet, “At Sea North Atlantic 30 August 1965” with transmittal cover to Representative Patten ,and reads in part: “...We have just successfully completed the first sea trials of the USS BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, our thirtieth Polaris nuclear submarine. We also have in operation twenty-two attack type nuclear submariens, making a total of fifty-two. The BENJAMIN FRANKLIN was built by the Electric Boat Division, General Dynamics Corporation, Groton, Connecticut. This ship is named for Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), one of the most illustrious of our Founding Fathers. A plain man of the people, his life was the American success story writ large...” Followed by two pages of biography on Franklin, and concludes “His philosophy of life, the virtues he cultivated - competent workmanship, honesty, industry and frugality - are within everyone’s grasp; they are as important to a good and successful life today as in his time. No American child ought to grow to adulthood without having read the Autobiography of this talented, wise and good man, who personified all that is best in America. ‘Merely by being himself,’ wrote Mark van Doren, ‘he dignified and glorified his country.’...” Fine.
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click above for larger image.