| Commissioning Ceremony: A Tradition The Commissioning Ceremony signifies the acceptance for service and entry of a ship into the active fleet of the United States Navy. At the moment of breaking the commissioning pennant, LOS ANGELES becomes, as any proud
ship of the line, USS LOS ANGELES. The Naval Commissioning Ceremony is a custom deep in tradition in all navies for centuries and in the United States Navy since its earliest beginnings, for it marks the formal inception of a man-of-war into the Naval forces of her nation. It is the final and perhaps most significant event of the triad that brings a ship to life: keel laying, christening, and commissioning carries a ship from an idea to a reality. In the early periods of
our Navy's history no exact precedure for commissioning was prescribed. Thus, a ship's date of commissioning was recorded as any number of days: when the colors were first raised, whe the officers and crew reported on board, when the first log entry was made, or when the ship first put out to sea. Throughout the years, however, one visible and significan manifestation of the comissioned ship has remained contstant: active ships of the United States Navy, from days of the handsome frigates
under sail to the era of nuclear power, have proudly worn a commissioning pennant and the "Stars and Stripes." The commissioning pennant has for centuries been the symbol of the man-of-war. Today, as the distinctive mark of a ship in commission, it is flown, except when displayed by the personal flag of an admiral or commodore embarked aboard the ship. The origin of the commissioning pennant, like many of our traditions, can be traced to the British Navy. When Dutch Admiral Van Tromp defeated an English fleet in 1692, he cruised with a broom at his masthead to signify that he had swept his enemies from the sea. When fortune was reversed the following year, the British admiral hoisted a long streamer from his masthead to
represent the lash of a whip, thus indicating that he had whipped his adversary off the water. As technology increased the number of guns and other equipment topside, the length of the pennant was shortened. For many years, the pennant had thirteen stars, symbolic of the thirteen original colonies. In 1933, the seven star pennant became standard. It continues to fly as the proud symbol of a ship serving in the cause of freedom.
Today, at the moment of breaking her commissioning pennant, you witness the USS LOS ANGELES come to life. At that moment she becomes the responsibility of her Captain and Crew. From this day forward she will assume a unique personality and become infused with the will, the spirit and the dedication of those who serve in her. USS LOS ANGELES also acquires a special international distinction today: wherever she sails she will
project the character of her parent nation and her namesake state in providing for its security and well being. The modern commissioning ceremony is devoid of the ancient pagan rituals which were instituted to ward off evil spirits and seafaring denizens. We have outgrown these primitive superstitions; yet even today the experienced sailor senses a certain mystery about the sea. We believe your presence here
today will ensure us "fair winds and a following sea" in all that lies ahead. Thank you for coming. Source: Commissioning pamphlet, USS LOS ANGELES SSN-688, 13 November 1976 | |
