USS Nantucket

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Pauline “Polly” Spencer, sponsor of Littoral Combat Ship (LCS)#27, reports that the future USS Nantucket is 60 percent complete. The Keel Laying ceremony took place in October 2019. All modules have been assembled with the exception of the mast, which gets erected after the ship rolls out of her bay just prior to launch. It is on track for an April 2021 christening in Marionette, Wisconsin. The christening and launch give a ship her identity. After the launch, she will continue to undergo outfitting and testing before delivery to the U.S. Navy.

The Littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1), the Navy’s newest commissioned ship, prepares to leave its mooring next to USS Constitution following a three day port visit. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Mark O’Donald/Released.

Carney wearing the Medal of Honor. Photo taken by African American photographer James E. Reed of New Bedford.

The process of launching the ship into the Menominee River, a tributary flowing into Lake Michigan, is an engineering challenge, and a sideways launch is required from the Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard. This method is often used when the body of water does not allow the ship to be launched lengthwise.

After the USS Nantucket completes her testing phase, known as sea trials, she will be delivered to the Navy and undergo commissioning preparations. This officially places the ship in active service, where she will be integrated into the fleet. The first USS Nantucket was an ironclad Monitor and participated in the 1863 assault on Fort Wagner during the Civil War. It is at this battle that Sargent William Carney of New Bedford, Mass, who was serving in the Massachusetts 54th, earned the Medal of Honor. He was the first Black soldier to receive the nation’s highest honor. His story became widely known as a result of the 1989 movie Glory.

The Nantucket community is welcome to participate in the ship’s ceremonies. Details on the launch and commissioning will be forthcoming.