VESSELS
The ship's return to Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding's Gulf Coast facility here following trials marks the latest milestone for Waesche, which is nearing completion. Waesche is the second ship in the new class of multi-mission cutters. The NSC was built under contract from Integrated Coast Guard Systems, a joint venture of Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin. The Waesche's keel was laid Sept. 11, 2006, about six months after first-inclass Bertholf's keel was laid. Waesche was christened July 26, 2008. The NSC is a 418-ft. vessel with a 4,480 ton displacement at full load powered by a combined diesel and gas turbine power propulsion plant driving twin screws with a maximum speed of 28 knots.
USN Ship Christened
Dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Matthew Perry slides into the water for the first time during an evening christening and launch ceremony August 16 at the NASSCO shipyard in San Diego. (Photo by Sarah Burford, Sealift Logistics Command Pacific Public Affairs.)
USNS Matthew Perry, designated TAKE 9, is expected to be delivered to the Navy's Military Sealift Command in early 2010 following a series of tests and sea trials. The 689-ft. ship slid into the water for the first time as Hester G. Evans - a great, great, great granddaughter of the ship's namesake and the ship's sponsor - broke the traditional bottle of champagne against the ship's bow, christening it USNS Matthew Perry. The ship honors Navy Commodore Matthew C. Perry (1794 - 1858), whose distinguished naval career spanned 50 years. In 1853, Perry led a squadron of ships to Japan, where he successfully negotiated a landmark trade treaty with the Japanese. Perry also served during the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, and sailed off the coast of Africa to suppress the slave trade.
28 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News