Page 136 - NAVAL SCIENCE 3 TEXTBOOK

SHIP CONSTH UCTION A N D DAi\IAGE CONTHOL 141

Navy ships have both a name and a number, called a desig-
Ilali01l, which is a group of letters and numbers that identify the
ship. The letters tell the ship type and general lise; the hlllllllllllbers
indicate the number of ships of that type built, in sequence. These
designations are used in correspondence, records, and plans, and
appear on ships' boats and ships' bows.
The first letter in a designator is a general classification. The
designator letters are as follows:
A Auxiliary L Amphibious, littoral
II llattleship M Mine warfare
C Cruiser P Patrol
CV Carrier S Submarine
, D Destroyer T Military Sealift Command

F Frigate Y Yard and service craft
Christening of the littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1).
(Lockheed Martin) Tn combatant designations. the letter N means nuclear propul-
sion and the letter G means that the ship carries guided missiles.
Other letters serve to further identif)' the vessel and its purpose.
Commissioning \"'hen a Ilumber of ships are built to the same design they make up
a class, which is named for the first ship in it.
\'Vhen the ship is ready for coillmissioning, the shipyard COIll-
mander or another senior officer representing the eNO is ordered '1\\'0 examples of ship designations are as follows: the USS
to place it in commission. On that day, its otlleers and crew assemble Kidd (DDG-993) and USS Ohio (SSGN-726). The Kidd is a guided
in dress uniforms. j\'Iany dignitaries and guests arc Llsuall}, present, missile destroyer. DD meaning destroyer and G meaning guided
along with the eNO's representative and staff As the band plays and missile. The Ohio is a nuclear-powered guided missile submarine,
all stand at attention, the representative orders the national ensign 5S meaning submarine, G, guided missile, and N, nuclear pow-
hoisted to designate the ship in the official service of the govern- ered. The Ohio also happens to be the first of the latest class of
ment, and the commission pennant is unfurled at the mainmast. guided missile submarines, so that group of ships is known as the
The eNG's representative then formally turns the ship over to Ohio-class guided missile submarines. All Navy ships can be easily
the prospective commanding officer. The CO reads aloud orders identified as to their type. mission, armament, and propulsion by
from the Navy Department to command the ship. The first order is their designator.
"Bring the ship to life and set the watch!" The officers and crew file Tn recent years many auxiliary-type Navy ships have been
aboard and take their stations in the new ship. assigned to the lvlilital)' Sealift Command and crewed by contract
After commissioning, the ship starts sea trials. The weapons civilians. These ships arc identified by a T preceding their designator.
are fired and calibrated. All gear is checked out and tested. The ship for example, the replenishment oiler USS Neosho 01\0-143).
goes on a shakedown cruise to veri~' seaworthiness, speed, endur-
ance, and ability to maneuver as designed. After the ship returns to
the outfitting yard, any problems are corrected. J\'lore checks and
STU DY GUIDE Q U ESTIO N S
tests arc made at sea of fuel consumption, speeds, propeller revolu-
tions, and many other functions. Finally the ship and crew undergo I. List the major factors considered in the construction of nayal
a training cruise lasting from SL,,{ to eight weeks, usually out of San ships.
Diego or Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Upon successful completion of
2. Provide the nautical terms for these civilian terms:
this cruise, the ship is ready to join the fleet.
A. Outer walls
13. Inner walls
S hip Designations
C. Floors
The Navy has some three hundred oceangoing ships operating D. Ceilings
under their own commanding officers. Tn addition to these. there
E. Hallways
are over one thousand service craft. many without crews and some
F. Stairs
with no self-propulsion.
G. Entrance hall