From Naval Sea Systems Command Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) — USS New York (LPD 21) successfully completed final contract trials and returned to Naval Station Norfolk, Feb. 4.

The trial, run by the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV), is part of a series of post-delivery test and trials during which the ship and its major systems are exercised, tested and corrected as required.

Following the trial, INSURV officials noted that since the ship’s July 2009 acceptance trial, the ship had made improvements across several systems and is ready for sustained combat operations.

“USS New York and her crew proved once again that they are an extremely capable fleet asset” said Jay Stefany, LPD 17 program manager within the Navy’s Program Executive Office (PEO), Ships. “By successfully demonstrating all required underway events, we are validating that this class continues to improve with each ship.”

The four-day trial began with pre-underway checks Feb. 1, and continued to evaluate the material condition and performance of the ship’s major systems. During these trials, the ship’s crew successfully demonstrated a variety of systems including main propulsion, engineering and ship control systems, combat systems, damage control, food service and crew support to the team of Navy experts.

Among the highlights of the trial, USS New York successfully completed a full power run, self defense detect-to-engage exercises, rapid ballasting and deballasting, steering, and anchor handling demonstrations during an underway period.

This final contract trial completes the rigorous rounds of testing the ship has undergone to demonstrate its operational capability. Last year, LPD 21 spent 15 days at sea conducting tests of the ship’s weapons systems, resulting in a successful completion of Combat Systems Ship Qualifications Trials off the East Coast of the United States.

Engine assessments, well deck and underway replenishment qualifications, and aviation certification were also completed last year. These trials confirmed the continuing improved class trend in system reliability and quality assurance programs.

The ships of the San Antonio (LPD 17) class functionally replace more than 41 ships (LPD 4, LSD 36, LKA 113, and LST 1179 classes of amphibious ships) providing the Navy and Marine Corps with modern, sea-based platforms that are networked, survivable, and built to operate with 21st century transformational platforms.

These versatile ships incorporate both a flight deck to accommodate CH-46 helicopters and MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, and a well deck that can launch and recover landing craft and amphibious vehicles. The San Antonio class’ increased vehicle space and substantial cargo carrying capacity make it a key element of 21st century amphibious ready groups, expeditionary strike groups, or joint task forces.

As one of the Defense Department’s largest acquisition organizations and an affiliated PEO of the Naval Sea Systems Command, PEO Ships is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all major surface combatants, amphibious ships, special mission and support ships, and special warfare craft.

Currently, the majority of shipbuilding programs managed by PEO Ships are benefiting from serial production efficiencies, which are critical to delivering ships on cost and schedule.

For more news from Naval Sea Systems Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/navsea/.

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The fourth New York, an armored cruiser authorized by Congress in 1888, was laid down 19 September 1890 by William Cramp and Sons, Philadelphia; launched 2 December 1891; sponsored by Miss Helen Page; and commissioned at Philadelphia 1 August 1893, Capt. John Philip in command.

Assigned to the South Atlantic Squadron, New York departed New York Harbor 27 December 1893 for Rio de Janeiro; arriving Taipu Beach in January 1894, she remained there until heading home 23 March, via Nicaragua and the West Indies. Transferred to the North Atlantic Squadron in August, the cruiser returned to West Indian waters for winter exercises and was commended for her aid during a fire that threatened to destroy Port of Spain, Trinidad.

Returning to New York, the cruiser joined the European Squadron in 1895 and steamed to Kiel, where she represented the United States at the opening of the Kiel Canal. Rejoining the North Atlantic Squadron, New York operated off Fort Monroe, Charleston, and New York through 1897.

New York departed Fort Monroe 17 January 1898 for Key West. After the declaration of war in April, New York steamed to Cuba and bombarded the defenses at Matanzas before joining other American ships at San Juan in May, seeking the Spanish squadron. Not finding it, they bombarded fortifications at San Juan before withdrawing. New York then became flagship of Admiral Sampson’s squadron as the American commander planned the campaign against Santiago; the battle, 3 July, resulted in complete destruction of the Spanish fleet.

The cruiser sailed for New York 14 August to receive a warrior’s welcome. For the next year she cruised with various State naval militias to Cuba, Bermuda, Honduras, and Venezuela and conducted summer tactical operations off New England. On 17 October 1899, she departed New York for Central and South American trouble areas.

New York transferred to the Asiatic Fleet in 1901, sailing via Gibraltar, Port Said, and Singapore to Cavite, where she became flagship of the Asiatic Fleet. She steamed to Yokohama in July for the unveiling of the memorial to the Perry expedition. In October New York visited Samar and other Philippine islands as part of the campaign against insurgents. On 13 March 1902, she got underway for Hong Kong and other Chinese ports. In September, she visited Vladivostok, Russia, then stopped at Korea before returning to San Francisco in November. In 1903, New York transferred to the Pacific Squadron and cruised with it to Ampala, Honduras in February to protect American interests during turbulence there. Steaming via Magdalena Bay, the cruiser returned to San Francisco, for a reception for President Roosevelt. In 1904, New York joined squadron cruises off Panama and Peru, then reported to Puget Sound in June where she became flagship of the Pacific Squadron. In September, she enforced the President’s neutrality order during the Russo-Japanese war. New York was at Valparaiso, Chile from 21 December 1904 to 4 January 1905, then sailed to Boston and decommissioned 31 March for modernization.

Recommissioning 15 May 1909, New York departed Boston 25 June for Algiers and Naples where she joined the Armored Cruiser Squadron 10 July and sailed with it for home on the 23d. Operating out of Atlantic and gulf ports for the next year, she went into fleet reserve, 31 December.

In full commission again 1 April 1910, New York steamed via Gibraltar, Port Said, and Singapore to join the Asiatic Fleet at Manila 6 August. While stationed in Asiatic waters, she cruised among the Philippine Islands, and ports in China and Japan. She was renamed Saratoga 16 February 1911.

The cruiser spent the next 5 years in the Far East. Steaming to Bremerton, Wash. 6 February 1916, Saratoga went into reduced commission with the Pacific reserve fleet.

As the United States drew closer to participation in World War I, Saratoga commissioned in full 23 April 1917, and joined the Pacific Patrol Force 7 June. In September, Saratoga steamed to Mexico to counter enemy activity in the troubled country. At Ensenada, Saratoga intercepted and helped to capture a merchantman transporting 32 German agents and several Americans seeking to avoid the draft law. In November, she transited the Panama Canal joining the Cruiser Force, Atlantic Fleet at Hampton Roads. Here she was renamed Rochester, 1December 1917.

After escorting a convoy to France, Rochester commenced target and defense instruction of armed guard crews, in Chesapeake Bay. In March 1918, she resumed escorting convoys and continued the duty through the end of the war. On her third trip, with convoy HM–58, a U-boat torpedoed British steamer Atlantian 9 June. Rochester sped to her aid; but Atlantian sank within 5 min. Other ships closed in, but the sub was not seen again.

After the Armistice, Rochester served as a transport bringing troops back home. In May 1919, she served as flagship of the destroyer squadron guarding the transatlantic flight of the Navy’s NC seaplanes. In the early 1920’s she operated along the east coast. Early in 1923, Rochester got underway for Guantanamo Bay to begin another period of service off the coasts of Central and South America.

In the summer of 1925, Rochester carried General Pershing and other members of his commission to Arica, Chile to arbitrate the Tacna-Arica dispute and remained there for the rest of the year. In September 1926 she helped bring peace to turbulent Nicaragua and from time to time returned there in the late 1920’s.

After a quiet 1927, Rochester relieved Tulsa at Corinto, Nicaragua in 1928 as Expeditionary Forces directed efforts against bandits in the area. Disturbances boiled over in Haiti in 1929, and opposition to the government was strong; inasmuch as American lives were endangered, Rochester transported the 1st Marine Brigade to Port-au-Prince and Cap Haitien. In 1930, Rochester transported the 5-man commission sent to investigate the situation. In March, she returned to the area to embark marines and transported them to the United States. She aided Continental Oil tanker H. W. Bruce, damaged in a collision 24 May.

In 1931, an earthquake rocked Nicaragua. Rochester was the first relief ship to arrive on the scene and ferried refugees from the area. Bandits took advantage of the chaotic conditions and Rochester steamed to the area to counter their activities.

Rochester departed Balboa 25 February 1932 for service in the Pacific Fleet. She arrived Shanghai 27 April, to join the fleet in the Yangtze River in June and remained there until steaming to Cavite, to decommission 29 April 1933. She moored at the Olongapo Shipyard for the next 8 years. Her name was struck from the Navy Register 28 October 1938, and she was scuttled in December 1941 to prevent her capture by the Japanese.

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U.S. Navy officials have set a March christening and are planning for a mid-2012 commissioning of the USS Arlington, the third Navy ship to carry the county’s name.

Navy Cmdr. Darren Nelson, who has been tapped to serve as the ship’s first commander, on Dec. 11 briefed County Board members on the construction progress.

The 24,900-ton, 684-foot ship was launched Nov. 23 from the Mississippi ship-building facility of Northrop Grumman.

As an amphibious transport dock, the ship’s main mission will be to deliver U.S. Marines and their equipment, including aircraft, to hot-spots around the world. Its crew of 363 officers and men will be augmented with up to 800 Marines.

Five sister ships already have been launched, and have seen action in anti-piracy efforts off the coast of Somalia and in humanitarian missions off of Haiti.

Nelson said he felt like a “proud parent” when the ship was launched, and said he hoped the vessel and its crew would have a strong relationship with the people of Arlington during its expected 40-year useful life.

That was a view echoed by County Board members.

“It makes us all proud,” said board chairman Jay Fisette, the grandson of a Navy admiral. “Arlington County has a long-standing, excellent relationship with the military – we have forged a very trusting, positive relationship.”

The name Arlington was chosen to honor those who died in the 2001 attack on the Pentagon, and the first-responders who helped prevent further calamity as part of the building was engulfed in destruction. Joyce Rumsfeld, the wife of former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, is serving as the ship’s sponsor.

County officials will travel to Mississippi for the christening, tentatively set for March 26. “We will look forward to being part of every next step,” Fisette said.

Two other Navy ships previously have been named USS Arlington:

* A World War II-era supply ship that served in the Pacific theater during the waning days of the war. After the war, it was part of the National Defense Reserve Fleet until being scrapped in 1964.

* A Vietnam-era communications ship, which previously (as USS Saipan) had served as a light aircraft carrier during World War II and, ironically, was the exact same length as the future USS Arlington will be. The second USS Arlington also participated in several moon-mission recovery efforts, and was scrapped in 1976
Sun Gazzette

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