Pre-Commissioning
Unit Mississippi (SSN 782) sponsor Ms. Allison Stiller christened the
ninth Virginia-class submarine during a ceremony at General Dynamics
Electric Boat, Dec. 3. During her remarks, Stiller mentioned today marked
the 38th christening that she has attended, but emphasized how special
the day was for her. "All of the christenings have been special,
but this will be the most special one that I will be a part of,"
said Stiller. "The ship may be made of steel and fiber and the
finest technology, but the crew is what is most important."
Stiller christened the Virginia-class submarine with sparkling wine.
Similar practices became a popular tradition as the 19th century ended,
according to the Navy's History and Heritage Command. The first such
occasion was when a granddaughter of Secretary of the Navy Benjamin
P. Tracy used a bottle of champagne to christen Maine, the Navy's first
steel battleship, at the New York Navy Yard, Nov. 18, 1890.
Keeping with tradition, 121 years later, the Secretary of the
Navy Ray Mabus, a native of Mississippi, attended and spoke at the christening.
He discussed the day's significance for the Nation, the great state
of Mississippi, the Navy, and the Virginia-class submarine program.
"For the men and women who built Mississippi and those who crew
her, it is your work that proves an effective partnership between Navy
and Industry can keep costs under control," said Mabus. |
Virginia-class submarines are
built under a unique teaming arrangement between General Dynamics Electric
Boat and Huntington Ingalls Industries - Newport News. Construction on
the submarine began in February 2007 and will be commissioned in June
2012.
Once commissioned in 2012, Mississippi, like all Virginia-class submarines
is designed to dominate both the littorals and deep oceans. It will serve
as a valuable asset in supporting the core capabilities of Maritime Strategy,
sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security and
deterrence. |
