Bearing the name of New Hampshire’s Queen City and inscribed with the initials of New Hampshire’s senior senator, the USS Manchester officially joined the U.S. Navy’s fleet over Memorial Day weekend. A commissioning ceremony at the New Hampshire State Pier welcomed the littoral combat ship to active duty. The Manchester sails on Tuesday to its homeport in San Diego, where it will be ready for its primary mission: seeking and destroying mines.
Here are a few scenes from the ceremony on Saturday, which drew a crowd of more than 5,000 spectators.
Crew members stand along the USS Manchester’s flight deck during the ceremony, with the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge’s lift towers looming above them in the background.
Adm. W. F. Moran asks the crowd to participate in a brief dance break to “Sweet Caroline,” the Neil Diamond song played during the seventh-inning stretch at Fenway Park.
Cmdr. Emily Bassett, commanding officer of the USS Manchester, speaks during the commissioning ceremony.
U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, the USS Manchester’s official sponsor, speaks during the ceremony. Seated to her left are U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan and U.S. Rep. Ann McLane Kuster, all of New Hampshire.
Crew members of the USS Manchester salute from the flight deck during the commissioning ceremony.
Crew members watch the ceremony.
A crew member bows his head during a prayer.
To learn more about the USS Manchester and take a virtual tour, see the story here.