Another $3.4 Billion Dollar Wonder Christened

[unhappycamper]

http://www.sunherald.com/2012/10/19/4254457/amphibious-assault-ship-christening.html




Amphibious assault ship christening set for today at Pascagoula shipyard
By LEIGHANNE LOCKHART
Published: October 19, 2012 Updated 4 hours ago

PASCAGOULA -- Huntington Ingalls Shipbuilding will christen the LHA-6 America, an amphibious assault ship for the U.S. Navy today at the Pascagoula shipyard.

There was a mast-stepping ceremony Friday for the ship, which involves placing coins under the mast, an ancient tradition, one explanation of which is to ensure payment of the crew's wages upon their return should the ship wreck. The tradition has been passed down through the millennia to ensure good luck on ships.

Six pennies were placed near the mast to represent the America's hull number, and their dates reflect significant events in American history to go along with the ship's name and also important dates of the ship's sponsor, Lynne Pace.

Lynne Pace is the wife of retired U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.



NOTE: The $3.4 billion dollar number comes from wikipedia which is notoriously low.

[alfredo]

1. Thanks. I will have to look for some images.

[Bonhomme Richard]

2. Newer version of the USS Bonhomme Richard? n/t