Naval destroyer arrives to be commissioned

[unhappycamper]

The 511-foot-long destroyer that cruised into Boston Harbor yesterday doesn't flaunt its brawn. But beneath its gray decks, the USS Sampson (above) packs enough missiles, torpedoes, and shells to wreak its share of havoc if called upon. The destroyer will be commissioned Nov. 3. (David L. Ryan/ Globe Staff)


Naval destroyer arrives to be commissioned
October 30, 2007

The 511-foot-long destroyer that cruised into Boston Harbor yesterday doesn't flaunt its brawn. But beneath its gray decks, the USS Sampson packs enough missiles, torpedoes, and shells to wreak its share of havoc if called upon.

The Navy calls its newest Arleigh Burke class destroyer, which will be commissioned in Boston this weekend, its most sophisticated. "It does everything better than all our older destroyers," said Lieutenant Paul Brawley, a Navy spokesman.

The ship, which arrived at the Black Falcon Cruise Terminal yesterday afternoon from Norfolk, Va., is being commissioned in Boston because its namesake, Rear Admiral William T. Sampson, spent his final years in the sea service at the Boston Navy Yard in Charlestown, becoming commandant in October 1899.

The last Navy vessel to be commissioned in Boston was the USS Preble in November 2002. Commander Philip Roos, the Sampson's captain, called it awesome to have his ship commissioned in Boston.

"Given Sampson's time here and all the history here, it's totally fitting," he said.

The public is invited to view the ship tomorrow, from 1 p.m.-3 p.m.; Thursday, 2 p.m.-4 p.m.; Friday, 1 p.m.-2 p.m. and 3 p.m.-4 p.m.; and Saturday, noon-2:30 p.m.


Article at: http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2007/10/30/naval_destroyer_arrives_to_be_commissioned/



uhc comment: Read about Arleigh Burke class destroyers here --> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arleigh_Burke_class_destroyer

[izzie]

1. Sort of fun to go to things like that.

I wonder at times if a great navy is not a thing of the past? What a change in thew world since I came into it, 70 plus years ago. The last thing I thought would happen would we would start all these wars. Since I lived in the middle of the military way of life for so many years I guess I should have figured out, that with all those war lovers, some of them would get all this power to start endless wars and would do it. By all means try to go to see this ship. It will be interesting.

[Captain Hilts]

2. Dad went to bootcamp at Sampson in Upstate New York. nt