The Greek ship and the star cluster represent the Agro Navis constellation in which the star CANOPUS resides.  The big star connecting the scroll and the shield is CANOPUS.  Flying through the void of space beside the constellation is the POLARIS missile guided and watched by the helmsman, the big star.

The dolphins above the crest are symbolic of our primary mission to support and tend the submarine force.  The crossed rifles, encircled, recall the heroic stand of the crew of our namesake, USS CANOPUS (AS 9), on Bataan.

The motto set in a banner at the bottom pledges our dedicated readiness to serve in the CANOPUS tradition of determined excellence.

CANOPUS bears the name of the Pilot of Menelaus, King of Sparta.  His name was given to the town on Egypt where the legend holds that he died.  After CANOPUS died, he is said to have been transformed into a star.

The star CANOPUS is a yellowish-white star in the southern hemisphere and the second brightest star in the sky.  Only Sirius is brighter.  CANOPUS can be found in the constellation Carina a part of the older Argo Navis or “Ship” constellation, estimated to be 100 light years (or 600 trillion miles) from Earth.  CANOPUS can’t be seen from north of the latitude of Florida.