USS Chafee Joins The Fleet
On a crisp fall morning in Newport, R.I., friends, family, veterans and special guests gathered to watch as USS Chafee (DDG 90), the Navy's newest warship, was formally commissioned honoring the late Sen. John H. Chafee of Rhode Island. Chafee, a decorated Marine veteran of World War II and Korea, also served as Secretary of the Navy prior to being elected U.S. senator. With the historic and now retired aircraft carriers USS Forrestal (CVA 59) and USS Saratoga (CV 60) in the background, more than 6,000 supporters braved the blustery winds off Narragansett Bay to witness the historic commissioning. Speakers included U.S. Senators from Rhode Island Jack Reed and Lincoln Chafee, son of the ship's namesake. "Today is a proud day," said Reed. "This ship bears an even prouder name. Sen.
Navy to Christen New Destroyer Chaffee
The newest Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer, Chafee will be christened on Monday, November 11, 2002, during a 3:30 p.m. ceremony at Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine. The ship honors John Hubbard Chafee of Providence, R.I. distinguished himself as a U.S. enlisted man and commissioned officer. principal address. wife of retired Navy Adm. Dennis C. U.S. Pacific Command. christening U.S. bottle of champagne across the bow to formally christen Chafee. 22nd to be built by Bath Iron Works. independent operations as necessary. fighting air, surface, and subsurface battles simultaneously. century. Cmdr. John W. officers and 355 enlisted. commissioned in the fall of 2003. Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, as an element in the U.S. Pacific Fleet. of 33 ft. ship to speeds of more than 30 knots.
