USS North Carolina and 29 more Virginia Class submarines

[The Sailor]

Northrop Grumman | Feb 25, 2008


NEWPORT NEWS, Va: Northrop Grumman Corporation delivered the fourth submarine of the Virginia class, North Carolina (SSN 777), to the Navy on Feb. 21.

The nation's newest and most advanced nuclear-powered submarine, North Carolina (SSN 777), recently returned to Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding's Newport News shipyard following the successful completion of its third and final round of builder's sea trials.

Northrop Grumman is teamed with General Dynamics Electric Boat to build the first 10 ships of the Virginia class. Current plans call for 30 Virginia-class submarines in the fleet. Using millions of parts from over 4,000 suppliers in 47 states and the District of Columbia, Virginia-class submarines incorporate dozens of new technologies and innovations and are the first major combatants designed with the post-Cold War security environment in mind.The keel for North Carolina was laid on May 22, 2004; the ship was christened on April 21, 2007 and launched on May 5, 2007.

[herakles]

Christened? Ships and boats are christened? I thought they were named.

[Harley]

Christened? Ships and boats are christened? I thought they were named.

If you smash a bottle of wine/champagne against the hull of a boat/ship, you're christening it, or so I understand it.

Also, when your average dignitary names a boat/ship, they tend to say;
"I name/dub/christen thee...Pork Barrel. God bless her and all who sail in her." Such is the usual spiel anyway...

Harley

[herakles]

I've done a net search on this and found evidence for and against the naming of a ship.

Christening does seem to be a popular concept but so too is naming.

For instance, last December, Princess Camilla said this at the launching of Cunard's latest ship Queen Victoria, after the traditional prayer:

Then, Camilla, with Prince Charles by her side, floated to the microphone in her diaphanous chiffon gown and said,
"I name this ship Queen Victoria, may God bless all who sail upon her."
And with that the Princess of Cornwall pulled the lever to send the traditional bottle of champagne crashing onto the bow of the ship.

[The Sailor]

It didn't sink did it Herk. It is in Sydney.

[TheDigger]

I must admit I thought the line was "I name this ship" and why does God always have to bless those who sail upon her. Also if the ship is named after a man ie Ronald Regan is the ship still a she or a he or when does the ship become a boat or vice versa

Tradition is a funny thing was the first ship named after a woman and the her side of things just travelled through the ages. No doubt I will attract a few answers and comments on this one.

[herakles]

Good points Digger. As I understand things, submarines are always boats but ships are ships!

As for God - well I wonder if in the days of sail and you were rounding the Horn, the help of anyone would be a good thing!

As for she rather than he - I confess I can only think of answers that had best not be posted here.