Navy Commissions New Ship

The U.S. Navy's fleet grows by one ship with the commissioning of the USS Sampson in Boston. The Sampson is a guided missile destroyer that was manufactured at the Bath Iron Works in Maine. Among the dignitaries on hand for the commissioning ceremony were Senator John Kerry and Assistant Secretary of the Navy Delores Etter.USS Sampson (DDG-102)The Sampson is named after Rear Admiral William Sampson, a hero of the Spanish-American war in 1898. It's actually the fourth Navy ship named after Sampson. All four have been commissioned in Boston. The newest USS Sampson is almost 510 feet long, can travel in excess of 30 knots and carries two helicopters and a crew of 275 sailors. It is commanded by Philip Roos.