Commissioning Commemoration
Commemoration Event Recap Video
The US Navy had a commissioning commemorative ceremony for the USS Delaware (SSN 791) on April 2, 2022 in Wilmington Delaware. First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, the ship’s sponsor, announced the command to bring the boat to life. The below 4 minute video is a short snippet of the story of the ship and the ceremony. You can also watch the full livestream of the ceremony here.
Commemoration Virtual Tour
As the ship was quietly and uniquely commissioned two years ago, the U.S. Navy, the Navy League of the United States Hampton Roads, Senator Carper, and Delaware’s Governor Carney hosted an event commemorating the commissioning of the USS Delaware (SSN 791).
While the event was a greatly reduced version similar to what had been planned for 2020, the public is invited to experience a virtual Tour of the ship.
USS Delaware (SSN 791) Commissioning
It is highly unusual for a ship to be commissioned outside of a Navy port where it has been built but Senator Tom Carper prevailed upon the United States Navy to bring the submarine to Wilmington so Delawareans could participate in the historic celebration. Due to COVID-19, a commissioning ceremony was cancelled. The ceremony for the USS Delaware (SSN 791) was expected to have an attendance of 5,000 at the Port of Wilmington. As a result, the USS Delaware (SSN 791) became the first U.S. submarine to be commissioned while underway…and underwater. She is home ported in Groton, CT. The USS Delaware (SSN 791) is a Virginia-class fast-attack submarine. It is 7,800 tons and 377 feet in length with a beam of 34 feet and can operate at more than 25 knots submerged. It is designed with a reactor plant that will not require refueling during the planned life of the board.
What is Commissioning
After a vessel has completed rigorous testing and sea trials, the shipbuilder then deems the ship capable of performing her designed mission and prepared to join the fleet. For all purposes of law and tradition, a vessel becomes a United States Ship at a commissioning ceremony. The Commanding Officer and crew come aboard and are entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining and operating their boat in peacetime and under conditions of war. Each crew member becomes a plank owner of the newly commissioned vessel, a distinct time-honored privilege. The service life of a submarine is 50 years with 136 stationed aboard.
Ship’s Namesake
On April 4, 2020, the USS Delaware (SSN 791) joined a long line of service of U.S. Naval vessels carrying the name “USS Delaware” as the seventh naval warship named after the First State.
- USS Delaware (1776), was a 24-gun frigate built in 1776 and captured by the British in 1777
- USS Delaware (1798), was a 20-gun ship purchased in 1798
- USS Delaware (1820), was a 74-gun ship of the line, launched in 1820 and burned in 1861
- USS Delaware (1861), was a side-wheel steamer built in 1861 and decommissioned in 1865
- USS Delaware (1866), was a screw steamer renamed from Piscataqua in 1869
- USS Delaware (BB-28), was a battleship commissioned in 1910 and scrapped in 1924
- SP-467 (later AT-5S and YT-111) served in the Navy from 1917 to 1923. Although officially known as SP-467, she was erroneously listed under her merchant name of Delaware on various occasions.
The last ship to carry the name USS Delaware, was a battleship commissioned just over 100 years ago for service during World War I – USS Delaware (BB-28). She was decommissioned in November 1923.
