Dotty England, the ship's sponsor and wife of Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon R. England, smashed the traditional champagne bottle on the ship's bow and christened the ship New York. Gordon R. England had been Secretary of the Navy when the request for the ship's name had come to him and approved it.
Gordon R. England was also there for the christening along with other dignitaries including Louisiana Congressman William J. Jefferson, members of the New York City Police Department, members of the New York City Fire department, and family members of victims of the 9/11 attacks.
The champagne bottle did not break the first time it was struck against the hull of the New York, but the second attempt was successful.
The ship was delivered to the U.S. Navy on 21 August 2009 at New Orleans. She set sail for Norfolk, Virginia, on 13 October 2009. On 2 November 2009 the ship passed the World Trade Center site for the first time and gave the site a 21-gun salute.
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