Christening

The Christening ceremony marks the traditional transition of the ship from the new construction phase to its comprehensive tests and trials phase - moving from a mere hull number to a ship with a name and spirit. The ceremony and its supporting activities are largely focused on the ship’s Sponsor and a celebration of the namesake’s heritage and is marked with the traditional breaking of a bottle of champagne across the bow. Prior to the ceremony, the shipbuilder typically hosts a dinner in the Sponsor’s honor. The Christening and its pre- and post-ceremony activities are hosted by the shipbuilder, and, as such, will reflect unique local heritage and practices of the shipbuilder and the local community.

The blessing of ships dates as far back as the third millennium BCE, when the ancient Babylonians, according to a narrative, sacrificed an oxen to the gods upon completion of a ship. Throughout history, different cultures developed and shaped the ceremony surrounding a ship launching.

Today the Christening is often conducted after the launching. The Sponsor states, “In the name of the United States I christen thee _____________________," while she shatters the ceremonial bottle of champagne against the bow of a new submarine. The first recorded Christening of a United States Navy ship is USS Constitution, on 21 October 1797 in Boston, where the ship's Sponsor, Captain James Sever, broke a bottle of wine across the bow as "Old Ironsides" slid into the water.