| On 7 September 2002 in a ceremony aboard USS Intrepid in New York
City, 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. |
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| Background |
| 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 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. |
| Governor Pataki hailed the Secretary's decision to name a new
LPD-17 class amphibious transport dock the USS New York in honor of the heroes
who died on September 11, as well as to honor the courage and compassion
shown by countless New Yorkers in the aftermath of the terrorist
attacks. |
| "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." |
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| World Trade Center Steel to Strengthen USS New York |
| For thousands of years shipbuilders have used the strongest materials
in their ships and then placed coins, or precious metals in them for good
luck. In building the USS Constitution in the 1790s, the Navy used white
oak from New Jersey, Massachusetts (now Maine) and Georgia for the keel and
“ironsides”. The Romans placed coins in their ships to guide their
lost sailors into the underworld. Other sea-faring nations have placed added
coins in construction, preferably gold or silver, to protect the ship from
evil or to bring good speed and good luck throughout the lifetime of the
ship. The U.S. Navy will continue these traditions in the building of its
new amphibious transport dock, using 10 tons of precious steel from the World
Trace Center to strengthen New York, LPD 21. On Veteran’s Day, November
11th 2002, the Intrepid Air-Sea-Space Museum, on behalf of the city of New
York, will present Northrop Grumman Ship Systems with the pieces of the World
Trade Center at a pierside ceremony. The presentation will include a beam
from the World Trade Center that will eventually be displayed in the ship.
Additionally, the Intrepid will provide the New York’s shipbuilder with
10 tons of World Trade Center steel that will be cast as all or part of the
LPD 21’s keel. |
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