USS Hyman C Rickover, SSN-795

Groton, CT  2021

The USS Hyman C Rickover, SSN-795 is the latest submarine to bear the name of the "Father of the Nuclear Navy", Admiral Hyman C Rickover.  It was christened on July 31, outside of the General Dynamics' Electric Boar division in Groton, CT.  It's the latest submarine belonging the the Virginia Class,  of nuclear-powered, cruise missile fast attack submarines.  You don't get a chance to see these submarines out of the water that often.  

Glacial Erratics

Groton, CT  2020

 

Trail at Bluff Point State Park

Groton, CT  2020

 

Cannon at Fort Griswold

Groton, CT  2020

 

SSN Nautilus

Groton, CT  2020

Gold Star Bridge

Groton, CT  2020

Branford House II

Groton, CT  2020

Branford House

Groton, CT  2020

The Branford House sits on the campus of the University of Connecticut, Avery Point and overlooks Long Island Sound.  It was built by local financier and philanthropist Morton Freeman Plant in 1902.  UCONN now rents the facility for various events.

Trail

Bluff Point State Park, Groton, CT  2020

Some really nice, warm weather brought out a lot of hikers, joggers, and bikers along this trail.  I was lucky to get this shot without them.

Poquonnock River

Bluff Point State Park, Groton, CT  2020

Beach Scene

Bluff Point State Park, Groton, CT

Monument House Museum

Groton, CT  2020

Parapet at Fort Griswold

Groton, CT  2020

Shoes

Groton, CT  2020

There were only a few people walking around Fort Griswold State Park the day I was there.  I doubt these shoes are lost, just placed here for safe keeping.

Col. Ledyard Memorial

Groton, CT  2020

Realizing the fort was outnumbered by British troops, Col. William Ledyard surrendered the fort and gave his sword to a British officer, who then killed Col. Ledyard with his own sword on this spot, September 6, 1781.

Lower Battery

Groton, CT  2020

After the Battle of Groton Heights, the fort was abandoned by Benedict Arnold.  The fort was rebuilt and was manned for a number of conflicts, including the War of 1812 but never saw any other action. During the 19th century, the lower battery was built for 20 cannons. The smaller brick building is the shot furnace, where cannonballs were heated to high temperatures, transferred to cannons using tongs, then fired.  The red-hot cannonballs would ignite the wooden ships.  The larger stone  building is the fort's powder magazine.  The fort became obsolete in 1906 and the area designated a state park in 1953.

Fort Griswold II

Groton, CT  2020

On September 6, 1781, two divisions of British soldiers under the command of former American general Benedict Arnold came to destroy American privateers in New London and capture military supplies there.  He divided his men into two divisions numbering 800 men each.  One division took the city of New London, while the second division landed on the east bank of the Thames River and attacked Fort Griswold.  Casualties were heavy on each side, but the Fort was surrendered with the loss of 88 American lives.

Fort Griswold

Groton, CT  2020

Fort Griswold was built between 1775 and 1778 to defend the harbor of New London during the Revolutionary War.  It is one of the finest examples of a Revolutionary War era fort that is still in existence.  

Fort Griswold Monument

Groton, CT  2020

The state parks in Connecticut remain open, but at a limited capacity to insure social distancing.  I had no problems here visiting the Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park, the site of the Battle of Groton in 1781.  The battle is commemorated by this obelisk, the first such obelisk in the US, built between 1826 and 1830.

Beer'd Brewery

Groton, CT  2020

There are over 80 craft breweries in Connecticut, with dozens more in the planning stages.  This one recenlty opened in Groton, CT and is the second brewery for the Beer'd Brewing Co.  Their first brewery is housed in the Velvet Mill.