USS Somerset (LPD-25)

USS Somerset (LPD-25) is a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock of the United States Navy.[1] Somerset is the fourth Navy vessel, and the second warship to bear the name; the first two being a wooden-hulled motorboat and a ferry. The first warship, an armed cargo ship from World War II, was named for the Somerset Counties of Maine, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania collectively.

For other ships with the same name, see USS Somerset.

USS Somerset (LPD-25)
USS Somerset on 21 April 2014
History
United States
NameSomerset
NamesakeSomerset County, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Awarded21 December 2007[1]
BuilderAvondale Shipyard
Laid down11 December 2009[1]
Launched14 April 2012[1]
Sponsored byMrs. Mary Jo Myers
Christened28 July 2012
Commissioned1 March 2014[1]
HomeportSan Diego[1]
Identification
Statusin active service
Badge
General characteristics
Class and typeSan Antonio-class amphibious transport dock
Displacement25,000 tons full
Length
  • 208.5 m (684 ft) overall,
  • 201.4 m (661 ft) waterline
Beam
  •   31.9 m (105 ft) extreme,
  •   29.5 m (97 ft) waterline
Draft    7 m (23 ft)
PropulsionFour Colt-Pielstick diesel engines, two shafts, 40,000 hp (30 MW)
Speed22 knots (41 km/h)
Boats & landing
craft carried
  • Two LCACs (air cushion)
  • or one LCU (conventional)
Capacity699 (66 officers, 633 enlisted); surge to 800 total.
Complement28 officers, 333 enlisted
Armament
Aircraft carriedFour CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters or two MV-22 tilt rotor aircraft may be launched or recovered simultaneously.

The modern ship was named specifically for Somerset County Pennsylvania, in honor of the passengers who died on United Airlines Flight 93, hijacked during the terror attacks of September 11, 2001. The passengers prevented the plane from reaching its intended target by forcing it to crash in Stonycreek Township in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. The phrase "Let's Roll," spoken by a passenger of United Airlines Flight 93 before trying to storm the cockpit of the doomed flight, are painted on the ship above the rear deck[2], along with a "93" seal which mirrors the "93" flag seen flying on the vessel in many photos. In the words of Secretary of the Navy Gordon R. England;

"The courage and heroism of the people aboard the flight will never be forgotten and USS Somerset will leave a legacy that will never be forgotten by those wishing to do harm to this country."

Construction

Approximately 22 tons of steel from a Marion 7500 dragline that stood near Flight 93's crash site were used to construct Somerset's keel.[3]

The contract to build Somerset was awarded on 21 December 2007, to Northrop Grumman Ship Systems of Pascagoula, Mississippi. Her keel was laid down on 11 December 2009, at Northrop Grumman's Avondale shipyard in New Orleans, Louisiana. She was launched on 14 April 2012, and christened three months later, on 28 July, sponsored by Mrs. Mary Jo Myers, the wife of General Richard Myers, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.[4] She completed acceptance trials in September 2013.[5][6]

On 3 February 2014, Somerset was recorded as the last Navy ship to depart from the Avondale Ship Yard, before its closing. She was commissioned on 1 March 2014, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[7]

References
  1. "Somerset (LPD-25)". Naval Vessel Register. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  2. https://allhands.navy.mil/Media/Gallery/igphoto/2002430046/
  3. Swauger, Kirk (6 August 2008). "9/11 steel poured for USS Somerset". The Tribune-Democrat. Archived from the original on 17 November 2008. Retrieved 22 July 2012.
  4. "Media Opportunities for Christening of Amphibious Transport Dock Somerset (LPD 25); Ship Named for 9/11 Heroes of United Flight 93" (Press release). Huntington Ingalls Industries. 20 July 2012. Retrieved 22 July 2012.
  5. Cavas, Christopher (3 October 2013). "New Ship News – Sub launched, Carrier prepped, LCS delivered". Defense News. Archived from the original on 4 October 2013.
  6. "Ingalls-built Amphibious Transport Dock Somerset (LPD 25) Completes Acceptance Trials". 11 October 2013.
  7. "USS Somerset Commissioned as Flight 93 Tribute". United States: ABC News. 1 March 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
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