SHIP LAUNCHING, COMMISSIONING
AND INACTIVATION
The three biggest events in the "life" of a U.S. Navy
ship are its launching,
its commisioning and its inactivation. On the day
of its launching the ship "gets wet"
for the first time. On the day of its commisioning,
the U.S. flag, or "ensign" as it's called,
is raised, along with its commisioning pennant, and the
crew members rush aboard to man
the ship. Sadly, on its inactivation day, the ship's
history and the numerous achievements of
its crews are reviewed, the ensign is lowered and the
ship leaves the ranks of U.S. Naval vessels.
This is often followed by a trip to the breaker's yard
where the once mighty ship is reduced to
scrap steel.
This page tries to capture the feel of Henry's big day,
November 30, 1962, when the ship slipped
down the ways at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry
Dock Company and tested its hull against
the cold waters of the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia.
Also the excitement and celebration surrounding
the commissioning of a brand new ship into the service
of the U.S. Navy after more than a year of
outfitting and testing the numerous, complicated systems
that make the ship "live."
It also acknowledges Henry's retirement, twenty-seven
years later. During those years many men
came aboard, served some of the most challenging years
of their lives and left to find what future
awaited them. The USS Henry Clay is just a memory
now, indelibly etched into the minds of
those who rode her. Especially for those young
men who came of age and tested their own mettle
in an uncompromising environment on the cutting edge
of the Cold War.
LAUNCHING CEREMONY
Launching ceremony invitation.
Click on the photo for a larger version (97 KB)
(Courtesy of Michael Sleigh)
Launching ceremony pass.
(Courtesy of Michael Sleigh)
Launching ceremony booklet cover.
Click on the photo for a larger version (76 KB)
(Courtesy of Michael Sleigh)
Launching ceremony booklet inside cover.
Click on the photo for a larger version (55 KB)
(Courtesy of Michael Sleigh)
Launching ceremony booklet. Mrs. Green B. Gibson,
Sponsor.
Click on the photo for a larger version (39 KB)
(Courtesy of Michael Sleigh)
"I christen thee USS Henry Clay."
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(U.S. Navy Photo, Courtesy of Michael Sleigh)
On the bridge: CDR Tom Bryce, PCO (Blue)
and LCDR Ross N. Williams, PXO (Blue).
On the port sailplane: LCDR A. R. Barke,
LT O. V. Shearer and LCDR J. D. Leonard, Jr.
On the starboard sailplane: Unknown.
Going, going...
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(U.S. Navy Photo)
Gone!
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(U.S. Navy Photo)
COMMISIONING CEREMONY
Commissioning ceremony pass (front).
Click on the photo for a larger version (58 KB)
(Courtesy of Bill Maness)
Commissioning ceremony pass (back).
Click on the photo for a larger version (72 KB)
(Courtesy of Bill Maness)
NNS & DD Shipyard Bulletin Photo
Caption reads: "This was the scene as the Navy's 17th
Polaris Submarine, USS Henry Clay, was commissioned."
(Courtesy of Ron Shaw)
NNS & DD Shipyard Bulletin Photo
Caption reads: "The Clay's two 122-man crews stood on
the ship's
deck as their families, Naval and Shipyard officials,
and guests
watched the rites."
(Courtesy of Ron Shaw)
NNS & DD Shipyard Bulletin Photo
Caption reads: "Commanders of the USS Henry Clay's crews
read their orders and assumed command of the ship.
At the
left is Commander J. C. Lewis (gold) and at the right
is
Commander T. A. Bryce (blue)."
(Courtesy of Ron Shaw)
NNS & DD Shipyard Bulletin Photo
Caption reads: "Old Glory waves proudly as another defender
of the
red, white and blue is commissioned."
(Courtesy of Ron Shaw)
Commissioning ceremony booklet cover.
Click on the photo for a larger version (61 KB)
(Courtesy of Bill Maness)
