Turtle (DSV-3) was designed and built by Electric Boat division of General Dynamics Corportation at Groton, Ct. Turtle and her sister Sea Cliff were launched 12/11/1968. Turtle was named after Turtle Town a small community in Polk County, TN. Turtle was accepted by the US Navy 09/25/1970 at Woods Hole, MA, and assigned as a unit of Submarine Development Group 1 in San Diego, CA. Originally designed for a depth of 6500 she was converted to a 10,000 foot boat during a major overhaul. At that depth Turtle had the capability of reaching over half of the oceans floor.
Construction: constructed of a fiberglass hull over the metal crew sphere, batteries and electric motors.
Officers-in-Charge of Turtle (DSV-3)
LCDR R.D. Waer 09/23/1970 - 07/04/1971
LCDR B.G. Rees 07/04/1971 - 06/15/1973
LCDR J. F. Camerion 06/15/1973 - 07/18/1975
LCDR D. J. Bielicki 07/18/1975 - 01/31/1978
LCDR R. J. Norris 01/31/1978 - 04/07/1981
LCDR D. O. Norris 04/07/1981 - 02/25/1983
LT T. E. Saunders 02/25/1983 - 01/25/1985
LCDR T. D. Benedict 01/25/1985 - 08/07/1987
LT W. M. Drake 08/07/1987 - 12/16/1988
LCDR G. H. Billy 12/16/1988 - 01/24/1991
LCDR T. W. Carpenter 01/24/1991 -
