Submarine USS Montana Christened
The US Navy submarine USS Montana was christened at the Newport News shipyard in Virginia on Sept. 12. The occasion marked the first time in almost a century that a Navy ship has borne the state’s name.
What would normally have been a well attended event was shared virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Former Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell was the ship’s sponsor and had the honor of smashing a bottle of champagne over the new submarine’s bow. The ceremony began with a video message from Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes Treasurer Martin Charlo.
“It is an honor to know our warrior spirit will be carried by this advanced and fast machine that will carry out many missions and keep our lands safe,” said Carlo.
Messages also played from Montana’s Congressional delegation and shipbuilders from Newport News.
The USS Montana is the Navy’s newest Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarine. The vessel had 135 crew members on Sept. 12, three of whom hailed from Montana.
Captain Mike Delaney gave a message to his crew: “Together we have the privilege and the responsibility to establish Montana’s legacy. I am honored to lead you in this endeavor and grateful to serve with each and every one of you. This is usually the part where I would pause and yell to my crew ‘do or die.’ To which they would thunderously reply ‘Big Sky.’ I would imagine that they are listening and responding from home,” Delaney said.
The crest of the new vessel features images of mountains, feathers and 3-7-77 associated with Montana law enforcement.
“The crest that you see on the bow of the Montana reflects the uniqueness of Montana from its first Native American stewards to the beautiful mountains, forests, plains and abundant wildlife that we can all appreciate today, said Jewell. “In the spirit of its namesake state, the USS Montana will explore some of the wildest places on earth in service to us all.”
The earlier USS Montana was an armored cruiser commissioned in 1908 that served through World War I. The ship was decommissioned in 1921. A replica of the first USS Montana’s bell was rung before the christening. The original bell resides at the University of Montana in Missoula.
