Ship Named New York in 9/11 Victims’ Honor

NEW YORK —  A new $800-million warship to be used in the fight against terrorism was named the amphibious assault ship New York on Saturday in honor of the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks.

“On Sept. 11, 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,” Gov. George Pataki said at a naming ceremony aboard the flight deck of the aircraft carrier Intrepid, a floating museum on the Hudson River.

Construction on the New York is scheduled to start in mid-2003, with delivery expected in 2006.

A model unveiled Saturday will be displayed at the Intrepid Air-Sea-Space Museum in New York.

Pataki held the ceremony with Navy Secretary Gordon England, who granted special dispensation for the name. Presently, submarines usually carry the names of states, Pataki said.

Several naval ships have held the name New York or New York City. The most recent was a battleship commissioned in 1914. It fought in European and Pacific waters during World War II.

The submarine New York City was decommissioned in the 1990s after about 20 years of service.

The New York will be the fifth of 12 amphibious assault ships in the San Antonio class, which the Navy calls one of its most technologically innovative. The 684-foot vessel will carry a Navy crew of 402 and up to 800 Marines.

The ship can be also be used in relief and rescue operations.

Northrop Grumman Ship Systems will build the San Antonio class vessels, which will require about 1,500 employees to develop.

Delivery of the first ship is scheduled for November 2004.

Northrop Grumman officials said they haven’t decided whether the ship will be assembled in Pascagoula, Miss., or New Orleans.