CHRISTENING CEREMONY
Newport News Shipbuilding christened Virginia-class submarine Massachusetts (SSN 798) on Saturday, May 6.
The tradition of christening a naval vessel goes back centuries. Today, it has evolved into a ceremony that honors the individuality of the ship and the life ahead of her. During the christening ceremony, the ship’s sponsor proclaims, “In the name of the United States I christen thee…” and shatters a ceremonial bottle of American sparkling wine against the bow of the new ship.
REPLAY COVERAGE
ABOUT THE SUBMARINE
Massachusetts (SSN 798) is the 25th boat in the Virginia-class, built under a unique teaming agreement between HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding division and General Dynamics Electric Boat. Suppliers nationwide provide material and equipment to support the Virginia-Class Submarine Program and thousands of shipbuilders are working around-the-clock to bring SSN 798 to life.
#SSN798
Shipbuilders, family and friends are encouraged to join in the conversation on Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube using #SSN798.
SHERYL K. SANDBERG
SHIP'S SPONSOR
Sheryl Sandberg is the founder and chair of the Sandberg Goldberg Bernthal Family Foundation, a nonprofit organization that works to build a more equal and resilient world through three key initiatives: LeanIn.org, OptionB.org, and the Dave Goldberg Scholarship Program.
![Sheryl Sandberg Headshot High Res 1365x2048](https://hii.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sheryl-Sandberg-Headshot-high-res-1365x2048-1.jpg)
SHIPBUILDER SPOTLIGHT
![Dcs23 81 28 Lewis](https://hii.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/DCS23-81-28-lewis.jpg)
![Dcs23 81 95 Kahler](https://hii.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/DCS23-81-95-kahler.jpg)
![Dcs23 81 95 Aurelien](https://hii.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/DCS23-81-95-aurelien.jpg)
![Dcs23 81 65 Moats](https://hii.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/DCS23-81-65-moats.jpg)
MEDIA GALLERY
![Massachusetts (SSN 798)](https://hii.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/1-DCS21-391-105-Edit-scaled-1.jpg)
![Massachusetts (SSN 798) Construction](https://hii.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/2-DCS20-45-53-scaled-1.jpg)
![Massachusetts (SSN 798)](https://hii.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/3-DCS19-337-50-scaled-1.jpg)
![Massachusetts (SSN 798)](https://hii.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/4-DCS20-45-15-scaled-1.jpg)
![Massachusetts (SSN 798) Construction](https://hii.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/5-DCS20-433-26-scaled-1.jpg)
![Massachusetts (SSN 798) Pressure Hull Complete](https://hii.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/6-DCS22-115-8-Edit-Edit-scaled-1.jpg)
![Massachusetts (SSN 798) Construction](https://hii.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/7-DCS20-45-62-scaled-1.jpg)
![Massachusetts (SSN 798) Construction](https://hii.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/8-DCS20-45-41-scaled-1.jpg)
![Massachusetts (SSN 798)](https://hii.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/9-DCS23-29-251-Edit-scaled-1.jpg)
![Massachusetts (SSN 798) Construction](https://hii.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/10-DCS22-115-25-Edit-scaled-1.jpg)