USS Missouri

The latest ship to carry the state's name will be a Virginia-class attack submarine, similar to the one here, becoming the third U.S. Navy warship named for New Jersey. (Photo by General Dynamics Electric Boat)

One was a turn-of-the-century battleship known mostly for helping advance naval aviation by being sunk at sea during bombing tests after World War I.

The second was a highly decorated vessel that first went into battle in World War II, and now lives out her retirement on the Camden waterfront as a museum.

And the next U.S. Navy ship that will carry the name of New Jersey will--appropriately enough in a state known for the Sopranos-- swim with the fishes.

The Navy, under prodding by U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) has agreed to name its latest nuclear attack submarine the USS New Jersey. The Virginia-class submarine, which will displace 7,800 tons, has a hull length of 377 feet and a diameter of 34 feet. Capable of speeds in excess of 25 knots, able to dive to a depth greater than 800 feet, and armed with Mark 48 torpedoes and Tomahawk cruise missiles, the future USS New Jersey has a lineage that goes back to the 1900s:

Ted Sherman may be reached at tsherman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TedShermanSL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.