bobdina
11-07-2010, 02:16 PM
USS California, here it comes
NEWPORT NEWS — —
The sleek black hull of the USS California towered over the raised podium, where Northrop Grumman Corp. officials, Navy admirals, and others celebrated Saturday's christening of the nuclear-powered submarine that was built in Newport News.
"It's beautiful. It's complex. I'll miss it," said Kenny Peele, who worked as a master shipbuilder on the California and numerous other ships over a 40-year career. Peele, 68, is retiring in the next few weeks. He and his wife, Cathy, plan to move to Florida.
"You never know from one day to the next where you're going to be on the boat," said Peele, who had a U.S. flag and a California state flag stuffed into his shirt pocket. "I've loved every minute of it."
Text BUSINESS to 71593 to news about layoffs, stock market and more. Click here for other text alerts.
Peele said he often worked seven days per week during his career at the Newport News shipyard, so the send-off of the California was an emotional moment. Northrop Grumman Corp.'s Newport News shipyard spent four years building the ship.
To christen the submarine, Donna Joy Willard — wife of Adm. Bob Willard, commander of the U.S. Pacific Command — broke a bottle of sparkling wine on the side of the hull. She gave the bottle a full swing before 2,000 onlookers.
The Newport News shipyard is crucial to the Navy's nuclear submarine plans over the next 20 to 30 years, said Rear Adm. Dave Johnson. With the phaseout of the Los Angeles-class submarines, Johnson said, the Virginia-class subs, including those built in Newport News, will be needed for the Navy to maintain its fleet. The Navy has ordered two Virginia-class subs to be built per year.
Newport News is scheduled to build 18 of the Virginia-class submarines, said Mike Petters, president of Northrop Grumman shipbuilding. Virginia-class submarines are also built by General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, Conn.
"This is going to be the rhythm that we will be in for quite some time," Petters said. "Every ship we do is better than the last one."
The submarine will go into the water next week for testing, according to Northrop Grumman officials. Final delivery to the Navy is expected in spring 2011.
The $2.4 billion sub is being delivered in 64 months, which is 10 months early, according to Northrop Grumman.
Adm. Jonathan Greenert, vice chief of naval operations, said the Virginia-class submarine program is strategic for the military.
"We have to have maritime superiority," Greenert said. "We have to rule the undersea domain. It's key to our long-range plans."
Also present at the ceremonies were Rep. Robert "Bobby" Scott, D-Newport News and Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Westmoreland. Miss California Arianna Afsar sang the national anthem and "God Bless America."
Giant blue and gold letters spelling out California adorned the side of the submarine and matching balloons floated down to fill the cavernous bay where the submarine was built.
"If you don't feel proud today of what's being done here in Newport News, you don't have blood running through your veins," Wittman said.
Fact sheet:
USS California
Construction on the USS California began Feb. 15, 2006, in Newport News.
Cost: $2.4 billion
Number of shipbuilders working on the California: 1,200
Dimensions: 377 feet long, 34 feet in diameter
Speed: Capable of going more than 25 knots
Crew: About 130 officers and sailors will be operating the submarine, commanded by Cdr. Dana Nelson
Motto: Silence is golden, referencing the importance of submarines being undetected in the ocean depths.
Fun fact: Can stay submerged for up to three months at a time
http://www.dailypress.com/business/peninsula-businesses/dp-nws-cp-california-christening-20101106,0,3440976.story
NEWPORT NEWS — —
The sleek black hull of the USS California towered over the raised podium, where Northrop Grumman Corp. officials, Navy admirals, and others celebrated Saturday's christening of the nuclear-powered submarine that was built in Newport News.
"It's beautiful. It's complex. I'll miss it," said Kenny Peele, who worked as a master shipbuilder on the California and numerous other ships over a 40-year career. Peele, 68, is retiring in the next few weeks. He and his wife, Cathy, plan to move to Florida.
"You never know from one day to the next where you're going to be on the boat," said Peele, who had a U.S. flag and a California state flag stuffed into his shirt pocket. "I've loved every minute of it."
Text BUSINESS to 71593 to news about layoffs, stock market and more. Click here for other text alerts.
Peele said he often worked seven days per week during his career at the Newport News shipyard, so the send-off of the California was an emotional moment. Northrop Grumman Corp.'s Newport News shipyard spent four years building the ship.
To christen the submarine, Donna Joy Willard — wife of Adm. Bob Willard, commander of the U.S. Pacific Command — broke a bottle of sparkling wine on the side of the hull. She gave the bottle a full swing before 2,000 onlookers.
The Newport News shipyard is crucial to the Navy's nuclear submarine plans over the next 20 to 30 years, said Rear Adm. Dave Johnson. With the phaseout of the Los Angeles-class submarines, Johnson said, the Virginia-class subs, including those built in Newport News, will be needed for the Navy to maintain its fleet. The Navy has ordered two Virginia-class subs to be built per year.
Newport News is scheduled to build 18 of the Virginia-class submarines, said Mike Petters, president of Northrop Grumman shipbuilding. Virginia-class submarines are also built by General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, Conn.
"This is going to be the rhythm that we will be in for quite some time," Petters said. "Every ship we do is better than the last one."
The submarine will go into the water next week for testing, according to Northrop Grumman officials. Final delivery to the Navy is expected in spring 2011.
The $2.4 billion sub is being delivered in 64 months, which is 10 months early, according to Northrop Grumman.
Adm. Jonathan Greenert, vice chief of naval operations, said the Virginia-class submarine program is strategic for the military.
"We have to have maritime superiority," Greenert said. "We have to rule the undersea domain. It's key to our long-range plans."
Also present at the ceremonies were Rep. Robert "Bobby" Scott, D-Newport News and Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Westmoreland. Miss California Arianna Afsar sang the national anthem and "God Bless America."
Giant blue and gold letters spelling out California adorned the side of the submarine and matching balloons floated down to fill the cavernous bay where the submarine was built.
"If you don't feel proud today of what's being done here in Newport News, you don't have blood running through your veins," Wittman said.
Fact sheet:
USS California
Construction on the USS California began Feb. 15, 2006, in Newport News.
Cost: $2.4 billion
Number of shipbuilders working on the California: 1,200
Dimensions: 377 feet long, 34 feet in diameter
Speed: Capable of going more than 25 knots
Crew: About 130 officers and sailors will be operating the submarine, commanded by Cdr. Dana Nelson
Motto: Silence is golden, referencing the importance of submarines being undetected in the ocean depths.
Fun fact: Can stay submerged for up to three months at a time
http://www.dailypress.com/business/peninsula-businesses/dp-nws-cp-california-christening-20101106,0,3440976.story