USS New York

[Parks Stephenson]

My company is the systems integrator on the new San Antonio class of warships. One of the ships in the class, LPD-21, is to be named the USS New York. A large steel plate taken from the wreckage of the WTC has been shipped to the shipyard, where it will be molded into her stem as a permanent reminder of 9/11. A bit of trivia that I appreciated and thought I might share.

Parks

 

[Michael H. Standart]

Thanks for sharing that Parks. I was wondering when this ship was going to be started.

 

[Parks Stephenson]

Michael,

LPD-21 hasn't actually been "started" yet. The WTC steel plate has only been delivered to the shipyard. LPD-17 is completing framing, the tank tops have been completed on LPD-18, and the keel is starting to be laid on LPD-19. LPD-20 and -21 are waiting their turns, but the arrival of the WTC plate at Avondale was noteworthy.

Parks

 

[Michael H. Standart]

Okay. Got it. Any idea when construction is slated to start? I just checked out the NVR website and the New York isn't even listed...yet.

 

[Parks Stephenson]

Michael,

If it's important for you to know, I could make a long-distance call to find out; otherwise, I'd rather save my company the expense and having to explain why I am inquiring about LPDs when my responsibility is CV/CVNs and LHDs. I am getting the information I relayed above from a cross-product informational bulletin board posted in my office area, and it only shows pictures of those hulls currently under construction.

Parks

 

[Michael H. Standart]

No need to go that far, Parks. Eventually the information will come out. One of us will hear about it and can take it from there. I'll keep an eye on the NVR website.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From The Navy Newsstand:

New Yorkers Receive Invitation to Namesake's 2009 Commissioning

quote:

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NNS) -- More than 200 visitors to the New York State Fair had the opportunity to meet the perspective commanding officer of Pre-Commissioning Unit New York (LPD 21), Aug. 28 during the State Fair Veterans Day ceremony in Syracuse.

"It is your ship first of all. It is named after the state and it honors all those in the state and its long history," said Cmdr. F. Curtis Jones. "Your ship is currently under construction in New Orleans and took fuel on board for the first time last week."

More at http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=39417

 

[Tom McLeod]

Good things do happen after the bad. Interesting story!

 

[Michael H. Standart]

You may find the photo page at http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/09/0921.htm to be of some interest. I expect it'll get quite a few updates over time. The ship's official commissioning website is http://www.ussny.org/ (This is not a Navy website by the way.)

 

[Tom McLeod]

Thanks for the links Michael. The type of ship looks like some you once served on, just the latest version. Great painting of the Freedom tower in the background and the New York steaming out to sea.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

>>The type of ship looks like some you once served on<<

Which one would that be? NavSource is a wonderful photo archive so she just might be there. I served on two LSD's...the Germantown and I was commissioning crew on the Comstock.

 

[Tom McLeod]

I'm not as familiar with the LSD's are they somewhat the modern day destroyer or cruiser? They look pretty impressive. I noticed from your bio that you had served on the LSD's. Where you a fan of that class or ship or the carriers you where on? I have an interest in the Battleships, but they are generally past their time. They just had an amazing history to them for about a 100 years. I would loved to have seen the Missouri, Bismark or Yomonto fire their guns, I guess it was quite the site. Unless you were in the path of the incoming shells.

 

[Tom McLeod]

Is it LPD or LHD? LSD uh.............

 

[Michael H. Standart]

And LSD is a landing ship dock which is primarily intended to land vehicals. LPD's are more troop and cargo oriented.

And example of a modern LSD is the USS Comstock which you can view at http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/12/1245.htm

An example of an active duty LPD is the USS San Antonio...a sister to the New York...which you can view at http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/09/0917.htm

Personally, I was more a fan of the carriers but the 'gators fill a vital role because ultimately, no matter what whiz bang platforms and technology you bring to the table, it's the guy on the ground with the rifle that takes and holds territory.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From Global Security.org:

USS New York Sets Sail for the First Time

quote:

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The future USS New York (LPD 21) was put to sea for the first time June 27, transiting down the Mississippi River to conduct builder's trials.

Named for the state of New York, the ship and her motto "Never Forget" honor the victims and first responders of the Sept. 11, 2001, World Trade Center attacks. Constructed in Avondale, La., the ship contains 24 tons of steel salvaged from the World Trade Center within the 311-ton bow unit.

More at http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2009/07/mil-090703-nns05.htm

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From The Navy Newsstand:

Future USS New York Completes Acceptance Trials

quote:

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The future USS New York (LPD 21) completed Acceptance Trials July 24, sailing from and returning to the Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding (NGSB) shipyard in New Orleans. The ship's bow stem includes thousands of pounds of steel salvaged from the World Trade Center.

New York is the fifth ship of the San Antonio class to be presented to the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) for acceptance. This is the final major milestone prior to the shipyard delivering the amphibious transport dock ship to the Navy.

More at http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=47230

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From The Navy Newsstand:

PCU New York hosts its First Distinguished Visitor

quote:

AVONDALE, La. (NNS) -- Pre-Commissioning Unit New York (LPD 21) hosted its commissioning committee president and New York Jets owner Aug 18.

Robert Johnson toured the ship and spoke with Sailors.
Johnson stated that being the president of the commissioning committee is a chance for him, as a New Yorker to get behind what the ship and her crew represent.

The ship has 7.5 tons of steel from the World Trade Centers in her bow.

More at http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=47747

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From The Navy Newsstand:

Navy Accepts Delivery of Future USS New York

quote:

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy officially accepted delivery of the future USS New York (LPD 21) from Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding (NGSB) during a ceremony Aug. 21 at the company's Avondale shipyard in New Orleans.

New York is the first of three LPD 17-class ships built in honor of the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

More at http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=47803

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From The Navy Newsstand:

PCU New York Remembers 9/11

quote:

AVONDALE, La. (NNS) -- The crew of Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) New York (LPD 21) honored those who lost their lives Sept. 11, during a ceremony that included a timeline from the events of 9/11 narrated by members of the crew.

"Strength forged through sacrifice. Never Forget" is the motto of PCU New York.

More at http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=48230

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From The Navy Newsstand:

PCU New York Opens 9/11 Yankee Game

quote:

NEW YORK (NNS) -- The Yankees recognized Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) New York (LPD 21), the ship's crew members, as well as the commissioning committee during the pre-game ceremony Sept. 11.

More at http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=48245