Sailors from USS New Orleans (LPD 18) and Marines from the 14th Regiment manned the rails of the San Antonio class ship March 10, bringing it to life during a commissioning ceremony in the ship's namesake city. The celebration of the first ship to be built and commissioned in her namesake city began with a 19 gun salute. The ship is the fourth ship to bear the name New Orleans and is the second ship to be commissioned in its class. New Orleans mayor, Ray Nagin, spoke about the strong connection the ship and the city share. “I believe the ship and the city have a lot in common. We both survived Hurricane Katrina and we have both rebuilt after the storm,” said Nagin. The ship’s commanding officer, Cmdr. John B.