Date:Wed, 7 Jul 1999 21:17:38 EDT
Author:Paleodad@aol.com
Subject:Ship's Plaque
                           The Newport News Commissioning Plaque
     The Sunday after the reunion, myself and a few of my old shipmates had the unique opportunity to tour USS Newport News SSN 750. It all started by going down to the docks to see if we could swap ship's hats. You will all be delighted to know that the silver ship's plaque (commissioning plaque?) from
Big Thunder is mounted in a very prominent place on board the the sub. I'm  not too sure where it was originally mounted on Big Thunder, I think it was  just outside the Captain's inport cabin. Some of you may remember polishing  it. Also, there is another brass plaque on board the sub that notes  highlights of Big Thunder's career. The sailors we met were very interested in some of the sea stories of Big Thunder. Some day, hopefully these sailors could join us for the reunion. In any case, the fighting spirit of Big
Thunder lives on, on board USS Newport News SSN 750.

US Navy standard press release when asked for information about the ship as it was entering a port. Circa 1972

     "Racing to aid the victims of a stricken city, serving as a flagship during a shipping quarantine, sharing in the preservation of peace in cold war crises, and demonstrating her awesome firepower in combat are vivid entries in the log of the world's largest heavy cruiser, USS Newport News (CA-148).
     "Her first keel plates were lowered into the slipway on October 1, 1945. Seventeen months later, the 717-foot vessel was christened in a ceremony witnessed by 20,000 people. Commissioned as the last unit of the Salem class on January 29, 1949, the USS NEWPORT NEWS (CA-148) has fashioned a career of indefatigable service to her nation in both war and peace. "The armament of the heavy cruiser, featuring the fastest firing major caliber guns in the world, has proven repeatedly devastating. It includes
three turrets each housing three rapid-fire, eight-inch 55 caliber guns. Secondary batteries and antiaircraft batteries are composed of 12 dual-purpose, five-inch 38-caliber guns and four three-inch 50-caliber guns. Two batteries of anti-missile rockets complete the dreadnought's combat capabilities.
     "The Newport News has deployed countless occasions to North European, Mediterranean, Caribbean, South American and Asian waters. She has hosted hundreds of thousands of visitors from royalty to the man in the street. Her performance throughout the 23 years of her career has earned the respect of persons in all corners of the world and has been a source of pride for both those who have sailed in her and all Americans at home and abroad.

There is a plaque on the ship that states
U.S.S. Newport News Heavy Cruiser CA148
Built by
The Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co.
Newport News Virginia, U.S.A.
Authorized May 28 - 1942
Keel Laid October 1 - 1945
Launched March 6 - 1947
Commissioned January 29 - 1949
Named for the shipbuilding city of Newport News Virginia