[ops33]

“...passed the long glass...”

Without an understanding of Naval traditions, could someone please explain what this means?

Thanks.

[A.A. Cunningham]

Naval tradition stemming from the days when telescopes, aka long glass, were used during the watch for observation. Whenever a Navy ship is commissioned giving of the long glass signifies setting of the first watch and thus placing the ship into service.

Lt. Cmdr. George Brickhouse, assigned to the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) accepts a long glass symbolizing the setting of the first watch from former President George H.W. Bush during the shipÕs commissioning ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk, Va. Bush delivered the keynote address at the commissioning. The Navy's newest, and final, Nimitz-class aircraft carrier is named after the World War II naval aviator and 41st president of the United States. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Micah P. Blechner