USS Winston Churchill

On November 29th, 1995 President Clinton announced that the latest state-of-the-art US Navy ship would be named in honor of Sir Winston S. Churchill.

“When that ship slips down the ways, it’s name will ride the seas as a reminder for the coming century of an indomitable man who shaped our age, who stood always for freedom, who showed anew the glorious strength of the human spirit” President Clinton

Sir Winston Churchill received many honors throughout his life but the posthumous recognition by the U.S. Navy would have pleased him as much as any. It combines two of his great loves: the United States of America (which he often referred to as "my mother's land") and the Navy.

In the last century only 2 ships were named in honor of foreign nationals; a transport named in honor of Florence Nightingale and a frigate named in honor of Harold Holt (staunch anticommunist and avid supporter of the United States while Prime Minister of Australia).

In Norfolk, Virginia March 10th 2001 America launched the guided missile destroyer, the USS Winston S. Churchill.

All Navy commissionings are impressive events, following a long tradition; but where the Winston S. Churchill is involved, there is an extra measure of pomp and circumstance. This is the kind of event that Sir Winston himself would not have missed.

Representation from Havengore was invited to the commissioning celebrations in Norfolk. The Havengore plaque was presented to Commander Franken who accepted with great pleasure and later wrote to confirm it was on display in the ward room.

Left: Owen Palmer, the former owner of Havengore and Commander M. Franken, USS Winston S. Churchill on board the USS Winston S. Churchill, Norfolk, Virginia, 2001