Yalobusha Historical Society – June 18, 2015
Bob Hawley
YHS Speaker Shares Details Of Ship Named After State’s Capitol City
By Joy M. Tippit
Special To The Herald
COFFEEVILLE – Bob Hawley of Madison, chairman of the USS Jackson Commissioning Committee, shared information with the YHS on June 18 about the USS Jackson named after our capitol city, Jackson.
The four celebrated events in the life of a ship are keeling, launching, commissioning, and decommissioning.
The Honorable Ray Mabus, Secretary of the Navy bestowed a great honor on the State of Mississippi by naming Littoral Combat ship (LCS) 6 the USS Jackson in recognition of our Capitol City.
The keel for the LCS 6 was laid on October 18, 2014 which culminated in Katherine Cochran welding her initials into an aluminum panel that will become part of the vessel.
“For the United States of America, I christen thee Jackson. May God bless this ship and all who sail in her.” And with these words the USS Jackson’s sponsor Katherine Cochran, Ph.D., daughter of Senator Cochran christened the USS Jackson on May 22, 2014. Bob Hawley stated that Jackson’s commissioning is scheduled for 2015.
A ship’s commissioning is a time honored naval ceremony whereby a ship officially enters the U.S. Navy Fleet.
The USS Jackson is 419 feet in length, and the top speed is greater than 40 knots. USS Jackson is powered by two GE Marine-built LM2500 gas turbines equipped in a CODAG configuration with two diesel engines. The USS Jackson boasts a speed capability in excess of 40 knots and can operate in water less than 20 feet deep. The ship will address critical capabilities gap in the littorals and conduct the Navy’s mission to enhance maritime security by deterring hostility, maintaining a forward presence, projecting power and maintaining sea control. .
The USS Jackson Crest colors are dark blue and gold, traditional Navy colors representing the sea and excellence. The elongated pentagon shape denotes protection to the nation. The land mass represents the State of Mississippi with the cross, disc and star of our capitol city, Jackson.
Green refers to hope for all MIAs and POWs. Light blue signifies the Pearl River in Jackson. Dueling pistols allude to the historic duel between President Andrew Jackson and Charles Dickinson and illustrates the rapid firepower capability of the ship. The silver border signifies the magnification of the ship’s network, agility and stealthy surface combatant capability to defeat threats in the littorals. The Crossed Navy officer’s sword and Navy Chief Petty Officer’s Cutlass represent cooperation and teamwork among the crew.
The ship image symbolizes the USS Jackson as she plows through the wave, denoting its speed, flexible mission module space and shallow draft. The motto “Victoribus Spolia” translates as “To the Victors, the Spoils.”
The State of Mississippi is honored. Thank you for sharing, Bob.
Other notes of interest at June’s meeting include:
• Mike Ayers called the meeting to order.
• Lawrence Litten voiced a prayer
• Debby Hughes read the financial report.
• Joy Tippit thanked helpers for a successful yard sale.
• Julia Fernandez announced that state representative Tommy Rey-nolds is the July 18 YHS speaker and his topic is “The Upcoming Election.”
Members and guests attending included Dave Hovey, Emma Ruth Hovey, Bobbie Hutchins, Bobby Hutchins, Mike Worsham, Ruth Perkins, John Perkins, Lawrence Litten, Barron Caulfield, Julia Fernandez, Debby Hughes, Joy Herron, Tom Cox, James Person, Carl H. Vick, Kay McCulley, Pat Brooks. John Nelson, Sonny Stewart, Betty Bryant Stewart, Opal Wright, Sue T. Fly, Joy Tippit, Sue Chandler, Cliff Chandler, Mike Ayers Bob Hawley and Freida Hawley.
