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 On 7 September 2002 in a ceremony aboard USS Intrepid in New York City, then Secretary of the Navy Gordon England announced the decision to name the fifth amphibious transport dock ship of the San Antonio class, New York (LPD 21). Secretary England said,
"This new class of ships will project American power to the far corners of the Earth and support the cause of freedom well into the 21st century. From the war for independence through the war on terrorism, which we wage today, the courage and heroism of the people of New York has been an inspiration. USS New York will play an important role in our Navy's future and will be a fitting tribute to the people of the Empire State."
Governor George Pataki, Governor of New York, responded by stating,
"On September 2001, our nation's enemies brought their fight to New York... The USS New York will now bring the fight to our nation's enemies well into the future."
 Namesake
Governor George E. Pataki wrote a letter to Secretary England requesting that the Navy revive the name USS New York in honor of September 11's victims and to give it to a surface warship involved in the war on terror. In his letter, the Governor said he understood state names presently are reserved for submarines but asked for special consideration so the name could be given to a surface ship. The request was approved August 28, 2002.
Governor Pataki hailed the Secretary's decision to name a new LPD-17 class amphibious transport dock the USS New York in honor of the heroes who died on September 11, as well as to honor the courage and compassion shown by countless New Yorkers in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks.
"The USS New York will ensure that all New Yorkers and the world will never forget the evil attacks of September 11, and the courage and compassion New Yorkers showed in response to terror," said Governor Pataki. "I want to thank Secretary England for taking this extraordinary step and agreeing to pay special tribute to all New Yorkers by giving our name to a ship that will play an important role in the war on terror," the Governor said. "In addition, I look forward to the USS New York's first visit to our great City and State for Fleet Week."
Casting the Bow Stem
Steel salvaged from the World Trade Center wreckage has been used in the construction of New York. The shipyard and Navy inspected the steel and found that it was of sufficient material strength so that it could be incorporated into the bow stem of New York.
"We're very proud that the twisted steel from the World Trade Center towers will soon be used to forge an even strong national defense," said New York Gov. George Pataki. "The USS New York will soon be defending freedom and combating terrorism around the globe, while also ensuring that the world never forgets the evil attacks of September 11, 2001 and the courage and strength New Yorkers showed in response to terror."
On 4 August 2005, the LPD 21's bow stem with its World Trade Center steel was erected into the main hull and will forever lead the future USS New York. The complete bow was erected into place in March 2006.
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Above, a New York City Firefighter at Ground Zero.
Left, the USS New York currently under construction at Avondale, LA.
The Ship
New York is the fifth ship in the LPD 17 San Antonio class of amphibious transport dock ships.
Keel Laying
The keel was laid for New York on September 10, 2004. Oddly enough, a previous holder of the name, USS New York (BB-34), had its keel laid on September 11, 1911, exactly 90 years to the day before the WTC was attacked*.
Ship Yard
LPD 21 New York is under construction at Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, Avondale Operations, greater New Orleans area, Louisiana. NGSS' Avondale Operations, which is located on the banks of the Mississippi River approximately 12 miles upriver from downtown New Orleans, has been in continuous operation since 1938 and is Louisiana's largest manufacturing employer with more than 6,000 employees. Avondale has direct access to the Gulf of Mexico via the Mississippi River and is easily accessed by the nation's interstate highway system and by rail.
Christening Ceremony
The ship's sponsor is Mrs. Dotty England, the wife of Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England. She "christened thee New York" in a ceremony in early 2008. Read More
Commissioning Ceremony
Commissioning is the ceremony in which New York will become a unit of the operating forces of the United States Navy. It is the occasion when the ship will "Come Alive" and New York becomes USS New York. USS New York's commissioning ceremony will occur in mid to late 2009 in New York City.
 Ship's Crew
360 Sailors and 3 Marines will form the New York's crew. The Prospective Commanding Officer will be CDR Curt Jones.
Propulsion
The USS New York uses
Four Colt-Pielstick PC2.5 STC Turbocharged Marine Diesel Engines with Inboard Rotating Rolls-Royce Controllable Pitch Propellers. The 16-cylinder Colt-Pielstick PC2.5 STC engine is intended for use on ships requiring high propulsion power combined with a lightweight installation. The engine was selected by the U.S. Navy to power the LPD-17 San Antonio Class vessels. Four engines are installed per ship, two per reduction gear, with each shaft driving controllable pitch propellers. Each engine is rated at 7755 kW at 520 rpm.
Homeport
LPD 21 is scheduled to be a Norfolk, Virginia based ship.
Above, Secretary of the Navy Gordon England announced the naming of a planned amphibious transport dock ship, LPD-21, New York to honor the state, the city and the victims of Sept. 11. With the Secretary, from left, are New York Governor George E. Pataki, Deputy New York City Mayor Carol Robles-Romano, and Dr. Phil Dur, president of Northrop Grumman Ships Systems. The naming ceremony was held aboard the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum in Manhattan and was attended by families of victims of 9-11, representatives from the New York Police Department, the Fire Department of New York, and veterans from throughout the state of New York. U.S. Navy photo by Capt. Kevin Wensing.
Some information courtesy www.fairbanksmorse.com & www.ss.northropgrumman.com
*Keel factoid courtesy www.wikipedia.com
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