Gregg and Sununu announce USS New Hampshire to be commissioned at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard

Contact: Barbara Riely
Wednesday, March 5, 2008

      WASHINGTON - United States Senators Judd Gregg and John Sununu (R-NH) today announced that Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter has approved the commissioning of the USS New Hampshire (SSN 778) at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, ME. The commissioning ceremony will take place on October 18, 2008.

            Senators Gregg and Sununu stated, "The commissioning of the USS New Hampshire at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is a great honor befitting New Hampshire's strong naval shipbuilding history.  Portsmouth Naval Shipyard has served our state, country, and Navy admirably throughout our Nation's history since the Revolutionary War, and is recognized as the Gold Standard of shipyards for the delivery of boats ahead of schedule and under budget. We are pleased that New Hampshire's and Portsmouth's maritime legacy and strong relationship with the U.S. Navy is recognized through this commissioning."

 

            Senators Gregg and Sununu have been in continual contact with U.S. Navy leadership over the last year, urging that the commissioning of the USS New Hampshire be held at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

 

            The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard has been the site of several commissioning ceremonies, including the USS Portsmouth in 1983 and most recently, the USS Maine in 1995. Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is the oldest shipyard in the United States.

 

Events

10/19 USS New Hampshire arrived in Portsmouth 11:15 am
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Thru 11/2 Scarecrows of the Port Festival
Downtown merchants present first annual "Scarecrows in the Port" harvest festival, commissioning celebration and welcome to the crew and their families.

10/25/2008 US Navy Commissioning Ceremony, 10 am

10/27/2008 USS New Hampshire departs, 12:20 pm