General Dynamics - NASSCO-Earl Industries Uncovers Enterprise Time Capsule:  A piece of USS Enterprise history from its resting place at the bottom of the ship’s mast during its scheduled removal. After 34 years remaining preserved in a ¼” thick steel box welded to the deck on the 08 level behind an access hatch, a time capsule, which had been placed by the crew in 1979 while the ship was dry docked in Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, was carefully removed by the team and its contents revealed. According to a letter found in the time capsule, on August 7, 1979, in a ceremony held onboard by the crew, “the old custom of placing a coin under the ship’s mast for good luck was resurrected.” Rear Admiral (select) James W. Austin, Commanding Officer of Enterprise at the time, placed the box containing a Susan B. Anthony Silver Dollar, name plates for the Commanding Offier and Reactor Officer, and pictures of the ship under construction circa 1959 “into the ‘step’ beneath the mast, while the boatswain piped ‘veer’ six times, symbolically calling ALL HANDS to tend the side.” The letter also explains: “the ceremony of placing a coin under the ship’s mast for good luck is rumored to have its origin from the Ancient Romans who placed coins in the mouths of their dead in the belief this would enable them to pay Charon to ferry them across the river Styx. If a ship met with mishap at sea, this coin insured that the fare of all hands was paid. The Anthony Silver Dollar used as the symbolic coin in the ceremony was procured by the Director of the Mint, Stella B. Hackel. The design was selected by Congress in recognition of Susan B. Anthony’s leadership in obtaining the right to vote for women. President Carter noted the new dollar coin would be “a constant reminder of the continuing struggle for the equality of all Americans.” The time capsule and contents were donated to the Naval History and Heritage Command.