Posted on 05/03/2008 1:38:48 PM PDT by esryle
Click Here For More News Links, Photos and a Re-Broadcast of the Commissioning Ceremony
The USS North Carolina was Commissioned today at Wilmington, NC. Linda Bowman, who sponsored the submarine and christened it in April 2007, sent the crew running from the back of the audience onto the submarine. "You are a team and ready to go forth and defend this country," Bowman told the crew. "My hope is that she will sail in peace to keep us free. My assurance is that she will always be ready to defend that freedom whenever necessary.
"Officers and crew of the USS North Carolina, man your ship, and bring her to life!"
Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter was the keynote speaker at the ceremony, and Sen. Elizabeth Dole also spoke.
"What a beautiful day to once again place the name North Carolina among the fine ships of our great Navy," Capt. Mark Davis, the sub's commander, said. "I can't imagine a more appropriate setting, with a Carolina blue sky."
The SSN 777 will carry on the tradition handed off by BB-55.
Sail on North Carolina
I was wondering if it were an Ohio or Virginia class, then I saw the numeric designation.... question answered.
May the USS North Carolina never be forced or asked to fire a shot in anger. I can only hope.
May God bless her, and all who sail on her!
Did the Navy screw with the naming convention? I thought subs were named after cities.
Ping
Obama wanted to break a bottle or urine across her bow, but a scheduling conflict prevented his attendance.
“I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast for I intend to go in harm’s way.”
http://www.history.navy.mil/bios/jones_jp.htm
After he abolishes the U.S. Navy, President Obama will be on hand to christen the UNS (United Nations Ship) Jeremiah Wright. This will be the first of a class of unarmed “peace” cruisers offering abortions on demand and rescue facilities for drowning polar bears.
ROTFLMAO!
Sorry, I'm not laughing at you, but that was funny. There is no naming convention for ships any more. They are named for whatever random reason the Navy decides at the time, but it usually relates to kissing Congress' ass. Seriously, it is a very sorry state of affairs.
I thought subs were named after cities.
If you go back to WWII, subs were named after fish. Cruisers were named after cities.
And I seem to remember some controversy years ago about a nuclear sub named Corpus Christi, (Body of Christ), and subsequently renamed City of Corpus Christi. And the submarine commanded by Scott Glen in Hunt for Red October was called the Dallas, not that I regard Hollywood as any kind of expert witness.
If the Navy is just choosing random names now, I agree that is a very sad state of affairs. That's the sort of thing that makes my brain itch, and now I need to go double up on my OCD meds.
USS Seawolf (SSN-21)- a fish (and previous submarines)
USS Connecticut (SSN-22)- a state
USS Jimmy Carter (SSN-23)-a former president
What a mess.
Sorry for the late ping. I didn't get to see the sub, just like most other Wilmingtonians.
Bowman told the crew, “Officers and crew of the USS North Carolina, man your ship, and bring her to life!”
Anybody but us old ex-Navy types see anything wrong here?
Hint: are subs “ships?”
That’s a great story, thanks for sharing it! Have you been to the battleship North Carolina monument?
Very nice!
The last USS Vermont was over 100 years ago. I doubt the military is eager to give us another any time soon.
Several times. You get all kinds of “unofficial” stories on the tour when you go with a crew member. :)
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