Page 135 - NAVAL SCIENCE 3 TEXTBOOK

140 NAVAL SKILLS

Today in many shipyards, large portions of the ship are built in toon with tracks. The pontoon is towed into deep water and bal-
subassembly bays away from the main assembly site. As whole scc~ lasted down. \Vhen submerged far enough, the ship is towed off to
tions of the ship are completed, they are carried to the main build- the outfitting docks.
ing site with large cranes, where they are welded together. Some of The name of a ship is chosen by the secretary of the Na\'y upon
these sections weigh more than 50 tons. This method of building recommend3tioll of the chief of naval operiltions (eNG). A female
enables the projects to move along much faster. sponsor is selected by the secretary of the Navy according to n:w,11
The first operation in constructing a ship is erecting the keel tr3ditioll. At the time of launching and christening, the sponsor,
sections on the building blocks. After the keel is laid, it is extended 113val officers. ofilcials of the shipbuilding company, and the com-
in both directions, from the center outboard, and at the same time, mandant of the naval district in which the ship is being built meet on
forward and aft. Ever)1hing is scheduled step-by-step. Earll' in Ihe a nag-decorated platform at the bow of the ship. There may be some
construction process the main propulsion plant and major iluxil- speeches, and a chaplain offers a prayer: "rvlay this new vessel of our
iary machinery and shafting are installed. The whole bow section Navy be guarded by Thy gracious providence and care. Mil)' she bear
is usually assembled at a subassembly site and placed in position the sword to bring peace all Guth among the nations. Let her be i1
late in the building schedule. The last step in the prelaunching con- terror to those who do evil and a defense to those who do weU."
struction is painting the exterior hull of the vessel. The band plays the national anthem, flags and pennants wave,
and as the ship begins to move, the sponsor breaks on its bow a
gilil)! wrapped bottle of champagne, wine, or water, saying, "I n3me
Launching
YOll in the name of the United States." She often adds, "May suc-
A ship can be launched in one of three ways: dry-dock launched, cess 31ways 3ttend you."
side launched, or float-off launched. In dry-dock launching, the After the christening 31ld launching, the ship is fitted Ollt along-
dock is simply flooded to the outside water level and the ship is side a pier, where gi3nt cranes hoist the heavy equipment into
floated out. Side launching is often done tor small ships like tugs the ship. Masts, guns, machinery, and electronic components are
and other harbor craft. In the noat-offlaunching method, the ship installed, and spaces are painted and fitted with furniture and equip-
is constructed on powered pallet cars, which are rolled onto a pon- ment. The fitting-out period may take over 3 year for brge ships.

Side-launching the littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1). (Lockheed Martin)