PORTSMOUTH, NH — An overflow crowd of thousands gathered beside the Pisacataqua River in Portsmouth to witness a ceremony that commissioned the USS Manchester as the U.S. Navy’s newest combat ship.
Named for the Queen City, the USS Manchester is now ready for duty, along with its 70 crew members, and is bound for its home port in San Diego, CA, where its first mission will be as training ground for deploying crews.
The original USS Manchester earned nine battle stars in the Korean War and several of its crew members attended the ceremony, which was open to the public, leading to the long line outside the event on a hot Saturday.
Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig addressed the crowd with the following prepared speech:
It’s an honor and a privilege to be here with all of you.
On behalf of the entire city of Manchester, I want to congratulate Commander Bassett and her crew on the commissioning of the USS Manchester. It’s such an honor to have a ship named after the Queen City, especially twice!
The city of Manchester was built by hard-working and resilient citizens, dedicated to working together for the greater good. And today, the USS Manchester and her crew embody that same spirit.
In so many ways, this great ship pays tribute to the Queen City’s storied history. The ship’s seal highlights our industrious work ethic – from the golden cogwheel that represents our city’s industrial history to the white lines that represent the Merrimack River to the motto, Labor Vincit, or “work conquers,” which is also the ship’s motto. Granite State Manufacturing, a 4th generation manufacturing company, located on Manchester’s west side, built many components used on the ship. And our own Manchester Water Works harvested white oak from the shores of Lake Massabesic and helped mill the trees into lumber which is used in the ship in various ways including the dashboard, a bench, and window sills.
The Queen City has an extraordinary legacy of military service and honoring those who’ve served our country. And I’m pleased to say there are at least two men in attendance today who were on the original USS Manchester, which was commissioned in 1946. Moe Trembley, a Manchester resident, Jim Perry and William Mauser, it’s an honor to have you here.
Years from now, when the next chapter of Manchester’s military history is written, the new USS Manchester, LCS14, will be a proud part of that history. To her crews, and to all the men and women in uniform – thank you for your dedication and commitment to our country. Thank you for your service. Godspeed.
