LITTLE ROCK NINE SPONSORS AND HONOREES
In 1957, nine African American teenagers made history when they elected to attend all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, fulfilling the landmark Supreme Court decision that ruled racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional. When they faced shouting mobs, threats of violence and hostile state leaders who blocked their way, President Dwight D. Eisenhower deployed federal troops to escort them to classes. The Little Rock Nine, as they came to be known, have spent their lives advocating for quality education. In 2018, the six women of the Little Rock Nine were named sponsors of U.S. Navy submarine Arkansas their initials onto steel plates that will be affixed to the ship. The men of the group will also be honored during the ceremony.
Pictured from left in the front row are Melba Pattillo Beals, Ph.D.; Elizabeth Eckford; and Thelma Mothershed Wair. Pictured from left in the back row are Jefferson Thomas; Carlotta Walls LaNier; Ernest G. Green; Gloria Ray Karlmark; Terrence J. Roberts, Ph.D.; and Minnijean Brown Trickey.
Photo courtesy: Iliff School of Theology
Construction of Virginia-class submarine Arkansas (SSN 800) is underway at Newport News Shipbuilding.
WELDERS IN THE SPOTLIGHT
The shipbuilders pictured below will weld Arkansas’ ship’s sponsors’ initials onto steel plates during the keel laying ceremony.
BRIAN JACKSON BRANDON LEGGETT
JESSICA LAWSON
ANTHONY VIROLA PHYLLIS YOUNG BILLY WILLIAMS
THE KEEL LAYING TRADITION
A keel laying is the symbolic beginning of building a ship, originating from the large structural beam, or keel, that serves as the foundation or spine of the ship’s hull. Although modular construction techniques mean that the ship is no longer built from the bottom up, the keel laying is still celebrated as a momentous event in the ship’s construction. During the keel laying ceremony, the initials of ship’s sponsors are welded onto steel plates, which are permanently affixed to the ship.
Newport News Shipbuilding employs advanced manufacturing techniques to build Virginia-class submarines.
for the Virginia-Class Submarine Program.
ARKANSAS (SSN 800) FACTS
• The U.S. Navy named SSN 800 in honor of the state of Arkansas on Nov. 8, 2015.
• Construction began on March 2, 2017.
• About 4,000 Newport News shipbuilders support Arkansas’ construction.
• The crew includes about 137 officers and sailors.
• Commander Vincent “Adam” Kahnke is the commanding officer.
• Arkansas is the 27th Virginia-class submarine.
• The ship’s motto is “Travel Silent, Travel Deep.”
THE SHIP’S CREST
The crest of the Arkansas (SSN 800) was inspired by the history and character of the state of Arkansas, naval history of previous ships that carried the name, and nautical tradition.
• The motto, “Travel Silent, Travel Deep,” refers to the Arkansas Traveler folklore and the classic World War II submarine novel, “Run Silent, Run Deep” by Captain Edward L. Beach.
• The razorback charging from the waves is a nod to the Arkansas Razorbacks and USS Razorback (SS 394), which is now at the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum in Little Rock.
• USS Arkansas (BB 33), which served in World War II, is to the left of the submarine.
• The gold stars above the submarine represent the four battle stars awarded to USS Arkansas (BB 33) during World War II.
• USS Arkansas (CGN 41), the most recent ship to carry the state’s name, is to the right of the submarine.
• The Ouachita Mountain Range is the background of the scene.
• The scene is encompassed by an outline of the state. The starred blue diamond in the background represents the state flag and the ribbon represents the Arkansas Post, the first settlement in the state.
• Arkansas’ state fish, the alligator gar, is beneath the banner. Each fish has a gem to represent diamonds. Arkansas is the only U.S. state with an active diamond mine.
