USS NEW YORK
The
USS NEW YORK (LPD 21), built with 7.5 tons of steel from the World
Trade Center in her bow, was commissioned in New York City on Nov. 7,
2009. At approximately 8:00 a.m., on November 2, the USS NEW YORK came
to a standstill across from the World Trade Center site, dipped her
flag, and delivered a 21-gun salute. Members of the Fire Department of
New York, the New York Police Department, Port Authority Police,
members of the families of 9/11 victims and veterans gathered on the
shore at the North Cove in the World Financial Center to return the
salute. Members of the general public were in attendance.
Birth Of The USS New York Name
On 7 September 2002 in a ceremony aboard USS Intrepid
in New York City, then Secretary of the Navy Gordon England announced
the decision to name the fifth amphibious transport dock ship of the
San Antonio class, New York (LPD 21). Secretary England said,
"This
new class of ships will project American power to the far corners of
the Earth and support the cause of freedom well into the 21st century.
From the war for independence through the war on terrorism, which we
wage today, the courage and heroism of the people of New York has been
an inspiration. USS New York will play an important role in our Navy's
future and will be a fitting tribute to the people of the Empire State."
Governor George Pataki, Governor of New York, responded by stating,
"On
September 2001, our nation's enemies brought their fight to New York...
The USS New York will now bring the fight to our nation's enemies well
into the future."
Governor George E. Pataki wrote a letter to Secretary England
requesting that the Navy revive the name USS New York in honor of
September 11's victims and to give it to a surface warship involved in
the war on terror. In his letter, the Governor said he understood state
names presently are reserved for submarines but asked for special
consideration so the name could be given to a surface ship. The request
was approved August 28, 2002.
"The
USS New York will ensure that all New Yorkers and the world will never
forget the evil attacks of September 11, and the courage and compassion
New Yorkers showed in response to terror," said Governor Pataki. "I
want to thank Secretary England for taking this extraordinary step and
agreeing to pay special tribute to all New Yorkers by giving our name
to a ship that will play an important role in the war on terror," the
Governor said. "In addition, I look forward to the USS New York's first
visit to our great City and State for Fleet Week."
Casting the Bow Stem
Steel
salvaged from the World Trade Center wreckage has been used in the
construction of New York. The shipyard and Navy inspected the steel and
found that it was of sufficient material strength so that it could be
incorporated into the bow stem of New York.
"We're
very proud that the twisted steel from the World Trade Center towers
will soon be used to forge an even strong national defense," said New
York Gov. George Pataki. "The USS New York will soon be defending
freedom and combating terrorism around the globe, while also ensuring
that the world never forgets the evil attacks of September 11, 2001 and
the courage and strength New Yorkers showed in response to terror."
On
4 August 2005, the LPD 21's bow stem with its World Trade Center steel
was erected into the main hull and will forever lead the future USS New
York. The complete bow was erected into place in March 2006.
|
|
Above, a New York City Firefighter at Ground Zero.
Left, the USS New York under construction at Avondale, LA.
The Ship
New York is the fifth ship in the LPD 17 San Antonio class of amphibious transport dock ships.
Keel Laying
The
keel was laid for New York on September 10, 2004. Oddly enough, a
previous holder of the name, USS New York (BB-34), had its keel laid on
September 11, 1911, exactly 90 years to the day before the WTC was
attacked*. Read More
Ship Yard
LPD
21 New York is under construction at Northrop Grumman Ship Systems,
Avondale Operations, greater New Orleans area, Louisiana. NGSS'
Avondale Operations, which is located on the banks of the Mississippi
River approximately 12 miles upriver from downtown New Orleans, has
been in continuous operation since 1938 and is Louisiana's largest
manufacturing employer with more than 6,000 employees. Avondale has
direct access to the Gulf of Mexico via the Mississippi River and is
easily accessed by the nation's interstate highway system and by rail.
Christening Ceremony
The
ship's sponsor is Mrs. Dotty England, the wife of Deputy Secretary of
Defense Gordon England. She "christened thee New York" in a ceremony in
early 2008. Read More
Commissioning Ceremony
Commissioning
is the ceremony in which New York will become a unit of the United
States Navy. It is the occasion when the ship "Comes Alive" and New
York becomes USS New York.
Read More
 Ship's Crew
360 Sailors and 3 Marines will form the New York's crew. The Prospective Commanding Officer will be CDR Curt Jones.
Propulsion
The USS New York uses
Four
Colt-Pielstick PC2.5 STC Turbocharged Marine Diesel Engines with
Inboard Rotating Rolls-Royce Controllable Pitch Propellers. The
16-cylinder Colt-Pielstick PC2.5 STC engine is intended for use on
ships requiring high propulsion power combined with a lightweight
installation. The engine was selected to power all the San Antonio
Class vessels. Four engines are installed per ship, two per reduction
gear, with each shaft driving controllable pitch propellers. Each
engine is rated at 7755 kW at 520 rpm.
Homeport
LPD 21 is a Norfolk, Virginia based ship.
Above,
Secretary of the Navy Gordon England announced the naming of a planned
amphibious transport dock ship, LPD-21, New York to honor the state,
the city and the victims of Sept. 11. With the Secretary, from left,
are New York Governor George E. Pataki, Deputy New York City Mayor
Carol Robles-Romano, and Dr. Phil Dur, president of Northrop Grumman
Ships Systems. The naming ceremony was held aboard the Intrepid
Sea-Air-Space Museum in Manhattan and was attended by families of
victims of 9-11, representatives from the New York Police Department,
the Fire Department of New York, and veterans from throughout the state
of New York. U.S. Navy photo by Capt. Kevin Wensing.
|
