The U.S. Navy will christen its newest roll-on/roll-off
cargo ship at Avondale Industries Inc., New Orleans, La., during
a ceremony at 10 a.m., Saturday, March 15, 1997.
The ship, to be named USNS Bob Hope (T-AKR 300), will honor
legendary entertainer Bob Hope for his more than 50 years of
special support to U.S. military forces stationed around the
world. Through the generous gift of his time and humor, this
patriotic American brought a piece of home to service members
serving our country abroad in both peace and war. When Secretary
of the Navy John H. Dalton made the announcement that the new
class of ships would be named for Bob Hope, he called Mr. Hope a
military hero and said, We can never repay him for his
contributions to the men and women in uniform, but we can show
our appreciation with a class of ships named in his honor. This
is our way of saying Thanks for the memories.'
The Honorable John H. Dalton will deliver the principal
address at the christening ceremony. Serving as ship's sponsor
is Dolores Hope, wife of the ship's namesake. In the time-
honored Navy tradition, Mrs. Hope will break a bottle of
champagne across the bow to formally name the ship.
The first in a new class of Large Medium Speed Roll-On/Roll-
Off (LMSR) sealift ships, USNS Bob Hope will be operated by the
U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command, Washington, D.C. Bob
Hope's roll-on/roll-off design makes it ideal for transporting
helicopters, tanks and other wheeled and tracked military
vehicles. The ship will have approximately 390,000 square feet
of cargo carrying space. Bob Hope is 950 feet in length, has a
beam of 105 feet and displaces approximately 62,000 tons. The
diesel-powered ship will be able to sustain speeds up to 24
knots.
