BOSTON – A new one Navy warship named after Nantucket, Massachusetts will be commissioned this weekend in Boston.
The USS Nantucket, a “Freedom variant” littoral combat ship, will be commissioned at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Charlestown Navy Yard.
Commissioning ceremony of the USS Nantucket
The invitation-only commissioning ceremony will be streamed live online here. There will be a watch party on Nantucket at the VFW Post 8608 on New South Road.
The ceremony will be officiated by Polly Spencer, wife of the former Navy Sec. Richard Spencer, who will order ‘man our ship and bring her to life’.
The 388-foot ship will be the third Navy ship to be named after the island.
“The naming of LCS 27 honors the rich heritage of the people of Nantucket and the maritime legacy the island represents,” the Navy said.
Naval littoral combat ship
Earlier this year it was reported that the US Navy did just that struggled with warship production as we face growing global threats.
The USS Nantucket is the 14th Freedom-variant littoral combat ship. The Navy says this type of ship was created to “defeat threats such as mines, silent diesel submarines and fast surface craft.”
US Navy photo, courtesy of Lockheed Martin
“Nantucket is a fast, optimally manned, mission-focused surface combatant that operates in coastal and open ocean environments, winning against 21st century littoral threats,” the Navy said in a statement.
After commissioning, the ship will depart for its new home at Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida.
