U.S.S. Detroit: A ship as tough as its namesake

October 22, 2016

By Ryan Burklow | @burklow_ryan

As anyone who has ever visited Detroit knows, there is a sacred bond between the city and its people. So it was no surprise that the USS Detroit — a new Navy warship — received a hero’s welcome when it docked along the Riverwalk outside of the GM Renaissance Center. The ship arrived on October 15 and people had an opportunity to tour the ship during the week leading up to its commissioning ceremony.

This isn’t the first USS Detroit — there have been five others — but it is the first time in over 200 years that a ship named after the Motor City has docked at its namesake.

Gov. Rick Snyder was on hand for the ship’s commissioning Saturday, Oct. 22. The ceremony, which signifies the ship is ready for active duty, is similar to the way that military officers are commissioned by the president.

“This ship is truly one of a kind. It was built strong. It was built to sustain hard times. It was built by Michiganders. Which is why it is appropriate that it bears the name Detroit,” Snyder said.

Snyder was joined by local leaders, high-ranking Navy officers and the ship’s sponsor Barbara Levin — wife of former U.S. Senator Carl Levin.

Traditionally warships are sponsored by a female civilian in hopes of bringing good luck and divine protection to not only the ship but its crew as well. Tradition also states that the ship will take on a part of the sponsor’s personality.

The USS Detroit is the fourth Freedom-class littoral combat ship of the US Navy. Littoral combat ships are small vessels intended for operations close to shore. Freedom class ships are one of two classes of littoral combat ships employed by the Navy.

The ship is 389 feet long and cost $440 million to build.

The ship actually launched in October of 2014, but prior to being commissioned Navy warships must complete a series of demonstrations.

After the ship’s commissioning, it will head across the river to dock in Windsor, Ontario for a week. According to the U.S. Navy, the USS Detroit will be based out of Mayport, Florida, where it will be part of the Atlantic Fleet.