Just over a year away from the commissioning of the latest LPD-class ship scheduled for Sept 11, 2009, the USS New York continues her post-christening outfitting and shipyard work.
The pride this ship evokes is palpable. Most everyone knows there is 24 tons of scrap steel that was melted down and included in her bow section, but the effect that had on the shipyard workers was electric:
'those big rough steelworkers treated it with total reverence,' recalled Navy Capt. Kevin Wensing, who was there. 'It was a spiritual moment for everybody there.'
Junior Chavers, foundry operations manager, said that when the trade center steel first arrived, he touched it with his hand and the 'hair on my neck stood up.' 'It had a big meaning to it for all of us,' he said.
The fifth ship in the new San Antonio class of amphibious transport dock ship (LPD), the fleet already has the first three of this class
on the waterfront, namely the first in the class, USS San Antonio (LPD 17) based in Norfolk, the USS New Orleans (LPD 18) based in San Diego and the third, USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19), also homeported in Norfolk.The fourth ship, USS Green Bay (LPD 20), has been launched and christened and has a scheduled commissioning, joining the west coast fleet in San Diego, in late 2008.
Farther down the construction list are the remaining ships in this class, namely the San Diego (LPD 22), Anchorage (LPD 23) and the other two ships to bear the names of 9/11 attacks, Arlington (LPD 24) and Somerset (LPD 25).
If you have the time and interest, attending one of these commissioning ceremonies is a great honor and part of a centuries-long history of naval tradition. Because USS Green Bay is too large to make it through the St Lawrence Seaway, she won't be able to visit her name-sake city on Lake Michigan. Her commissioning ceremony is scheduled for Long Beach, CA while USS New York will, of course, be in New York City.
--Pinch Paisley
