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September 2005 7 Farragut Christened The 49th of 62 planned Arleigh Burke Class Guided-Missile Destroyers honor- ing Admiral David Glasgow Farragut was christened July 23, 2005 at the Bath Iron Work, Bath Maine. The Honorable Susan M. Collins, Maine senator and ship's sponsor, broke a bottle of cham- pagne across the bow to christen Farragut in a time-honored navy tradi- tion. In attendance was Commander Deidre L. McLay, USN the Prospective Commanding Officer who will become the first commanding officer of Farragut (DDG 99). Farragut, designated DDG 99, is the fifth ship to carry the name Farragut. The four previous ships include: a torpe- do boat (TB-11) in 1899; a destroyer (DD 300) in 1920; a second destroyer (DD 348) in 1934 that earned 14 battle stars in World War ll; and a guided-mis- sile destroyer (DDG 37) in 1960 which took part in contingency operations in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean and earned a Navy unit Commendation. James Glasgow Farragut was born on July 5,1801 near Knoxville, Tenn., the son of a Spanish immigrant. Farragut's naval career began at the age of seven when a family friend, Captain David Porter, adopted him, providing him the education and opportunities of a naval career. Farragut enjoyed the mutual trust and affection of his guardian and changed his name to David in honor of Porter. In 1810, Farragut received a midship- man's warrant and joined the ESSEX under Captain Porter's command. At the age of 12, he was given charge of a recaptured American ship by Captain Porter. Farragut took charge and sailed the prize to Valparaiso. He distinguished himself not only by the transit but also by the manner in which he subdued the original ship's captain who challenged his authority. During his naval service in the Civil War, Farragut engaged in battles at New Orleans, Port Hudson and Mobile Bay. Perhaps the most famous of Farragut's engagement was at the battle of Mobile Bay. On August 5, 1864 Farragut's fleet was led by Tecumseh, a Union ironclad, against the Confederacy's Port of Mobile. In the heat of battle, the gun smoke from cannon fire created a heavy smoke screen which confused Farragut's fleet trying to find their way in the chan- nel. Farragut in his flag ship, Hartford, was caught in a cross fire between the Confederate ships and the fort. Farragut lashed himself on the Hartford's top- mast, over took for the lead ship which was disabled and sinking by an explo- sion from a chain of mechanically oper- ated torpedoes (mines). Farragut ordered from the topmast, "Damn the torpedoes! Four-bells! Captain Drayton, go ahead! Jouett, full speed". It has been often remembered as " Damn the torpe- does - full speed ahead." The Hartford advanced over the mine field, scrapping the mines against the Hartford's hull but the mine did not explode. Farragut lead his fleet to victo- ry for the Union. In 1864, Congress commissioned Farragut a vice-admiral. In July 1866, Farragut became the Navy's first Four- star admiral. Admiral Farragut died in Portsmouth, New Hampshire at the age of 69. (Image Courtesy Peter Hsu, Anteon) Every Night, All Night #1 IN MULTI-SENSOR THERMAL IMAGING FROM THE PERSIAN GULF TO THE GULF COAST We've Got Your Back SeaFLIR III USA: 1.800.727.FLIR International: +44 (0) 1732 22 0011 See video of these products at: www.flir.com CDMQ TM Products FLIR Systems’ unique Commercially Developed - Military Qualified products undergo a development process that delivers battle hardened products at volume commercial prices. It’s part of what has made FLIR the number one thermal imaging multi-sensor supplier. The Most Reliable – The Best Support – Across the Broadest Base of Operations SeaFLIR II WideEye Security HDSea StarSAFIRE III Circle 219 on Reader Service Card MR SEPTEMBER 2005 #1 (1-8).qxd 9/1/2005 1:36 PM Page 9
