BALTIMORE — The U.S. Navy commissioned the newest member of its fleet in Locust Point Saturday morning in a celebration of Baltimore’s maritime heritage.
“Somebody told me this week it’s good to see the Navy back in Baltimore, but the Navy never left Baltimore,” Adm. Michael Gilday said during the commissioning ceremony for the USS Carl M. Levin, a 500-foot steel destroyer.
The ship, which cost billions to construct, equip and has a crew of 329 people, was built by contractor General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, and is bound for Hawaii.
“The USS Carl Levin carries the weight of our city‘s naval heritage. Just as Baltimore’s shipyards once activity constructing the ships that protect our shores, this mighty vessel will carry forward the torch of Baltimore naval legacy,” Deputy Mayor Justin Williams said to the crowd.
Naval and local leaders took turns speaking at the event that drew a few thousand sailors, veterans and their families. The event was not open to the public.
“This is my first time in Baltimore. I’m excited to take it all in. I know my grandson has put in a lot of work to get to this moment,” Abel Carlo, a U.S. Army veteran from Puerto Rico whose grandson is part of the crew, said in Spanish.
Local middle and high schoolers from the branch of the Sea Cadet Corps, the Navy’s youth program based at Fort McHenry, handed out programs and water bottles.
Alyssa Haley, a Navy…
