Wilmington Selected for Another Ship Commissioning

Release Date: Friday, January 8th 2010

Wilmington, North Carolina will be the site of yet another commissioning of a US Navy vessel – this one more than five football fields long.

The US Navy has just announced that a 509-foot long missile-guided destroyer will be commissioned here this fall. The ship is named after Vice Admiral Samuel Lee Gravely, who was the Navy’s first African American vice admiral. The Gravely (DDG 107) is part of the Navy’s only active class of destroyers, which are among the largest and most powerful destroyers ever built.
 
In 2008, Wilmington was also the site of the commissioning of the nuclear attack submarine USS North Carolina (SSN 777).
 
Mayor Bill Saffo will hold a briefing for media to provide more details on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at City Hall.
 
###
 
Contact:
Malissa Talbert
Communications Manager/PIO
City Manager's Office
City of Wilmington
910-342-2736