Page 8. MAINE COASTAL NEWS November 2014 UNITED STATES NAVY NEWS Continued from Page 7.


National Navy Museum Hosts Reception of Commodore Joshua Barney’s Iconic Sword


The National Museum of the U.S. Navy


WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The National Museum of the U.S. Navy (NMUSN) hosted the reception of War of 1812-era U.S. Navy Commodore Joshua Barney’s sword at the Navy Yard, Washington, D.C., Oct. 20. Francis Hamilton, descendant of British Army Gen. Robert Ross, donated the sword to the U.S. Navy from his private collection. Barney led approximately 600 Sailors and Marines at the Battle of Bladensburg, Aug. 24, 1814, during the defense and burn- ing of Washington D.C. The men charged with resisting the British threat by defending Bladensburg fought valiantly but were over- come by British troops. Barney, wounded and captured, surrendered his sword to Ross. Accepting the gesture, Ross provided Bar- ney with medical aid and released him under parole. The symbolic sword has remained in the Ross family until now. Franken offi cially accepted the sword from Hamilton on behalf of the U.S. Navy and the American people.


The sword is featured as a part of the commemorative exhibit From Defeat to Vic- tory, 1814-15. The exhibit, examining the last crucial year of the War of 1812 when the tide turned for American forces, will remain open through February. It highlights the honor, courage, and commitment of Sailors during that period of Naval history. After the offi cial transfer of ownership, the museum director shared the importance of the event and artifact.


The sword joins only a handful of pre-


1841 naval offi cers’ swords in the Navy’s collection.


Established in 1963, the National Mu- seum of the U.S. Navy is the Navy’s fl agship museum. The Museum is devoted to the dis- play of naval artifacts, models, documents, and fi ne art. The museum chronicles the history of the U.S. Navy from the American Revolution to the present. The National Mu- seum of the U.S. Navy is a federal museum and is operated by the Naval History and Heritage Command.


The National Museum of the U.S. Navy,


located at the Washington Navy Yard, 736 Sicard St., SE, Washington, D.C., in Build- ing 76, is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Admission is free.


Navy Christens, Launches Future USS Detroit


From Program Executive Offi ce Littoral Combat Ships Public Affairs


MARINETTE, WI. (NNS) -- The Navy christened the future USS Detroit (LCS 7), the fourth Littoral Combat Ship of the Freedom variant, in a ceremony at Marinette Marine Shipyard in Marinette, Wisconsin, Oct. 18.


The Secretary of the Navy, the Hon- orable Ray Mabus, delivered the principal address at the ceremony, and Mrs. Barbara Levin served as the ship’s sponsor. As ship sponsor, Levin is considered a permanent member of the ship’s crew and is expected to advocate for the well-being of both ship and crew. Levin, wife of U.S. Senator Carl Levin from Michigan, has been a longtime supporter of military families.


Detroit transferred out of the assembly building at Marinette via several hydraulic transfer lifts and was raised into launch po- sition in late June. A ceremonial mast step- ping, a tradition in which the ship’s sponsor and crew place coins and other memorabilia


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KUSTOM STEEL USS CONSTITUTION heading back to her berth in Boston.


beneath the mast to be permanently sealed in the installation of the mast, took place Oct. 17. A dramatic side launch of the ship into the Menominee River followed the christen- ing ceremony.


Detroit is an innovative surface combat- ant designed to operate in littoral seas and shallow water to counter mines, submarines, and fast surface craft threats in coastal re- gions.


The ship’s name recognizes the city of Detroit, Michigan, and honors the state’s deep ties to the U.S. Navy and the shipbuild- ing industry.


After its launch, Detroit will continue to


undergo outfi tting and testing at Marinette until her expected delivery to the Navy in late 2015 following acceptance trials. The ship is capable of speeds in excess of 40 knots and can operate in water less than 20 feet deep. Detroit will address a critical capabilities gap in the littorals and conduct the Navy’s mission to enhance maritime security by deterring hostility, maintaining a forward presence, projecting power, and maintaining sea control.


The LCS class consists of the Freedom variant and Independence variant, designed and built by two industry teams. The Free- dom variant team, led by Lockheed Martin, has delivered LCS 1 and LCS 3. The In- dependence variant team, led by General Dynamics, Bath Iron Works has delivered LCS 2 and LCS 4. Austal USA is the prime contractor for the subsequent even-num-


bered hulls. There are 12 additional ships currently under construction out of 20 ships contracted under an innovative Block Buy acquisition strategy. LCS is a modular, reconfi gurable ship, with three types of mission packages: Sur- face Warfare (SUW), Mine Countermea- sures (MCM), and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW). The Program Executive Offi ce for Littoral Combat Ships (PEO LCS) is respon- sible for delivering and sustaining credible littoral mission capabilities to the fl eet. Delivering high-quality warfi ghting assets while balancing affordability and capability is key to supporting the nation’s maritime strategy.


USS Constitution Conducts Final Un- derway Demonstration Until 2018 By Seaman Matthew Fairchild, USS Con- stitution Public Affairs


BOSTON (NNS) -- The crew of USS Con- stitution embarked on their fi nal Boston Harbor underway demonstration aboard Old Ironsides this year, Oct. 17.


Constitution set out into the harbor for


her fi fth and fi nal underway of 2014 at 10 a.m. with more than 600 guests in attendance aboard America’s ‘Ship of State.’ The guest list, made up of individuals and organiza- tions with long-standing ties of support to both the ship and the Navy, featured Massa- chusetts Governor Deval Patrick, a Boston Pops quintet and the Dropkick Murphys, one of Boston’s most popular hometown bands. This was the historic warship’s fi nal Boston Harbor cruise until 2018, as she is scheduled to enter dry dock in March 2015 for a three-year planned restoration period. The underway began with a wreath-lay- ing ceremony in commemoration of the U.S. Navy’s 239th birthday and Constitution’s upcoming 217th birthday on Oct. 21, and to honor all Navy Sailors who have served and lost their lives both aboard Constitution and throughout the fl eet.


Following a wreath laying, Constitu-


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tion’s underway attendees were led in the singing of the Star-Spangled Banner by Constitution Gunner’s Mate Seaman Ama- da Williamson, which was followed by the ship’s traditional 21-gun salute to the nation off Fort Independence at Castle Island. On the return trip back to Constitution’s berth, both crew and guests alike were treat- ed to special live musical performances by the Boston Pops and Dropkick Murphys, respectively. A Boston Pops quintet per- formed two musical numbers, followed by the Dropkick Murphys playing a set of nine crowd-rousing songs from the ship’s spar deck main hatch, which concluded with one of their most popular hits - “I’m Shipping Up To Boston”.


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