What’s your favorite ship name?

[CommunityEditor]

From Achomawi to Zumwalt, the Navy has applied the names of thousands of people, places, concepts and fish to the vessels it has operated over the past 232 years, ranging from behemoth supercarriers to harbor tugs.

Some of the names are classics — Constellation, Essex, Enterprise — making consistent appearances in the fleet down the years. Some of the names have taken on a mystique after the exploits of the ships that bore them — Missouri, Parche, Samuel B. Roberts. A few are synonymous with sacrifice — Arizona, Johnston, Cole.

The Navy’s conventions for naming ships have changed several times: State names first went to battleships, then to ballistic-missile submarines, and now to fast-attack submarines. City names first went to cruisers, then to dock landing ships, then to fast-attack submarines, and now back to amphibious transport docks. Carriers have ranged from insects — Hornet — to concepts — Independence — to one-term Republican presidents — Gerald R. Ford.

Most names appear in the fleet just once, but a few reoccur consistently. There have been three Kidds in the Navy; four Texases; and six Truxtuns. There have been eight Enterprises, according to Jack Green, a spokesman for the Naval Historical Center, and the most-used warship name is Wasp, which has appeared in the fleet 10 times.

Despite a few close calls, there has never been a Montana — an oversight that state lawmakers have been pushing the Navy to rectify.

With plans to build 53 more littoral combat ships; at least eight more Arleigh Burke-class destroyers; one or two Zumwalt-class destroyers; a pair of Ford-class carriers; and at least one more San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock, the Navy needs more names. If the service keeps its current fleet of cruisers and destroyers in service for as long as 40 years, as planned, it’ll be a long while before it can start to recycle those ships’ names.

What classic names should return to the fleet? What battles, locales or naval heroes deserve their name on a Navy ship? What constitutes a great name for a warship? What are some name misfires the Navy shouldn’t repeat?


Article: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/0...pname_082108w/

[nickolas.h.guertin]

Political influence has long presided over discipline and tradition in naming ships. Notice especially what happened to the SEAWOLF class.

With notable exceptions, the ARLEIGH BURKE Class is a shining example of tradition over influence.

My favorite ship name is 'The Sullivans'.

ENTERPRISE is my favorite. The only naming I don't like is when they break patterns within a class, as in THOMAS S GATES, JIMMY CARTER, etc.
-DB, Alexandria, VA

[DANFINNEGAN]

Enterprise, Hornet, Cochrane, Norton Sound, Wasp, Yorktown, Saratoga, Lexington, Ranger, Holland, Proteus.

[Old Sgt Max]

As I recall, there was always supposed to be a USS England in the fleet.

I would like to see the names Midway, Coral Sea, and Yorktown make it back into the fleet.

[BTCS]

I agree with "Old SGT Max" There was always to be an England in the US Navy and there have been two. I served on the second USS England DLG/CG 22 and she was a fine ship. Another proud and historical name is "EDSON" named after a Marine hero of WWII. I also served on USS Edson DD 946 during the Viet Nam war and she made herself known up and down the coast as a "Top Gun" Don't let these two proud names die. Both ships have websites. The Edson was part of the Intrepid Musuem in NYC and is still in mothballs at PNSY, unfortunately England met her fate with the breakers in Brownsville, TX.

There should be another USS JOHN KING. It should be a DDG (of course).

[BTCMSENIOR]

My favorite ship name is "AMERICA". There is nothing like hearing the name as it pulls into a forgien port. I was very disappointed that they name the first carrier of the next class Ford when it should of been named "AMERICA"

The Consellation first comes to mind (because she was my ship), but there are a lot of good names out there. Many have recently been retired.

America, Enterprise, and Consellation are names that have had a history in the navy and should continue. 'The Sullivans', the families sacifice should be remembered and a ship renamed for these 5 brothers.