Guided Missile Destroyer USS Sampson Commissioned

The United States Navy commissioned the fourth destroyer to be named after Rear Admiral William T. Sampson, the USS Sampson (DDG 102). Massport's Black Falcon Cruise Ship Terminal was the location on a windy and rainy day.

Admiral Sampson served long in the Navy, surviving the sinking of one of his ships, a monitor, during the Civil War off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina. The ship was engaged in sweeping for mines, called torpedoes in those days, hence the famous line from Farragut, "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead." Sampson's ship exploded after ramming a torpedo, with over 70 men lost. Later in his career, Sampson commanded a fleet that fought in the Spanish-American war, off of Cuba. His fleet was on blockade duty when the Spanish tried to escape from Santiago Harbor.

There was great controversy at the time. Sampson was on land, so his second in command, Admiral Schley, actually directed the ships, which won an overwhelming victory in a long, five hour battle in which the Spanish fleet was completely annihilated. Sampson and Schley then battled it out in the press over who deserved the most credit for the victory, with Schley eventually winning, deservedly, most of the credit.

In spite of the controversy, Rear Admiral Sampson is honored for his long and distinguished service to the country.

Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John M. Stratton, of Fleet Public Affairs, Atlantic, U.S. Navy, reports that the new ship is an Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer. It was commissioned in Boston in the same harbor that Sampson commanded, near the end of his life.

The 1-101st Field Artillery Battalion of the Massachusetts Army National Guard gave the 19-gun salute, honoring Senator John Kerry, who spoke at the event. Kerry noted that Massachusetts was the birth place of the U.S. Navy. Vice Admiral Terry Etnyre exhorted the crew to serve its country and be ready to defend it. A great granddaughter of Sampson was on hand, herself a retired Commander in the Navy.

The crew was praised for its hard work in bringing the ship to life and readiness in the past hours and days. Also praised were the ship builders, Bath Iron Works, and the many employees who toiled diligently to complete the vessel.

Some of the other ships named for Sampson served in World War I and World War II, and the Vietnam era: DD63, DD 394, and DDG 10. Biographies of those ships are available in the Dictionary of American Fighting Ships.

The new ship has 250 enlisted sailors and 25 officers. It is over 500 feet long and can reach 30 knots.

Stratton, John. Navy Welcomes Ship, U.S. Navy
Dictionary of American Fighting Ships