Navy's newest fast-attack sub, North Carolina, is christened

 The North Carolina, the fourth in the Navy's new Virginia-class of fast-attack submarines, was christened Saturday at Northrop Grumman Newport News.

The North Carolina, the fourth in the Navy's new Virginia-class of fast-attack submarines, was christened Saturday at Northrop Grumman Newport News. MORT FRYMAN/THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT

By JON W. GLASS, The Virginian-Pilot
© April 22, 2007 | Last updated 8:41 PM Apr. 21

NEWPORT NEWS - Under a cloudless Carolina-blue sky, shipbuilders and the Navy on Saturday celebrated the christening of the North Carolina, the nation's newest fast-attack submarine.

"May God bless her and all who sail in her," said ship sponsor Linda Bowman, a Navy wife for 38 years.

She smashed a bottle of American sparkling wine on the bow's "breaker bar," splattering the bubbly on her face and down the front of her blue suit.

Bowman pumped her fists over her head, laughed as she spotted herself dry with a towel and then exchanged a high-five with her husband, retired Adm. Frank L. "Skip" Bowman, the former director of Naval Nuclear Propulsion.

Earlier, the morning's festive mood gave way to a solemn moment of silence for Monday's shooting victims at Virginia Tech.

"We celebrate during a time of mourning and loss," said Mike Petters, president of shipbuilder Northrop Grumman Newport News, who called Monday's shootings a "senseless and horrific tragedy."

More than 350 of the company's employees are Virginia Tech graduates. "It's a place where future shipbuilders are grown - some of the very best shipbuilders in the world," Petters said.

During the ceremony, the current crew's 115 sailors stood in formation, outfitted in dress whites, with arms folded behind their backs.

The North Carolina, estimated at $2.6 billion in 2005 dollars, is the fourth ship in the Navy's new Virginia-class of submarines.

Northrop Grumman's Newport News sector is building the subs in a partnership with General Dynamics' Electric Boat in Groton, Conn. The two yards have moved closer to the Navy's target cost of $2 billion each.

Navy officials who spoke Saturday applauded the shipbuilders and the new submarine's capabilities.

"At her top speed, she will make less noise than most of our submarines do at 5 knots," said Vice Adm. John Donnelly, commander of Naval Submarine Forces. "Her firepower, stealth and ability are tailored perfectly to meet maritime challenges of the future."

The nuclear-powered submarine is the fourth U.S. Navy vessel to be named North Carolina. A handful of former crew members of the World War II-era battleship North Carolina, on display as a floating museum in Wilmington, N.C., attended the ceremony.

"I'm happy to see them carrying on the proud name of the USS North Carolina," said Denny Jones, 80, of Jamestown, Ky., who served on the battleship from 1944- 46.

The submarine, which is about 88 percent complete, will be launched into the James River on May 5 with a scheduled December delivery date to the Navy.