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NHF Supports Society of Sponsors Website

3 CommentsNews

Earlier this year, the Society of Sponsors of the United States Navy launched their first website, with the support of the Naval Historical Foundation. Going forward, the site is being hosted by the Foundation, continuing our long partnership with the Society. Sponsors are named by the Secretary of the Navy, and participate in many of the important milestone events in the lifetime of a Navy ship.Perhaps the most memorable event for a Sponsor is the christening of a ship, when she has the honor of smashing the traditional bottle of champagne against the bow while bestowing the chosen name upon the ship. Sponsors frequently develop a close, lasting relationship with the ship and her crew.

Christening - USS SC-699

Ship's Sponsor Miss Roxanna Lake shatters a bottle of champagne on the bow of USS SC-699, 7 September 1942 at Leesburg, NJ. Source: NHHC Photo Section 19-LCM-SC699-2

The Society of Sponsors of the United States Navy was founded in 1908 by Miss (Annie) Keith Frazier (Somerville), Sponsor of USS Tennessee and Miss Mary Campbell (Underwood), Sponsor of USS Birmingham with the support of the Secretary of the Navy and President Theodore Roosevelt. The fourteen original members met at the Willard Hotel in Washington DC for their first business meeting, and were guests that evening of the President for the Army-Navy Reception. For many years the Annual Meeting of the Society was held at the Willard Hotel; frequently, a White House Reception or Tea was part of the annual activities. In 1958, Mrs. Somerville penned a booklet, commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Society; she died in 1978. In 2008 the Society celebrated its Centennial Year.

The Society has published five volumes of Ships of the United States Navy and Their Sponsors. The first one covers ships christened between 1797-1913; the latest one, 1958-1990, was published by the Naval Institute Press.

In addition to their important duties as the Sponsor of a Navy ship, the women of the Society offer several scholarships, and contribute to numerous charitable organizations. Stay tuned to their website for upcoming news and information on ship christening and keel laying ceremonies. The Foundation looks forward to a long and fruitful partnership with the Society of Sponsors of the United States Navy.

 

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3 Comments

  1. Woodrow W. Reed

    I am the Secretary of Hawkbill Base, United States Submarine Veterans. Our Base would like to see more Medal of Honor recipiants or their female family members selected as sponsors, second sponsors or honored guests. We believe every U.S. Navy ship christened should have a member of the Medal of Honor community present and mentioned in the ceremony. Thank you. Woodrow W. Reed, HMCS(SS), USN, Ret.

  2. Kathryn Donovan

    Sir,
    My name is Kathryn Charette Donovan and I am a daughter of a MOH recipient, William R Charette. Recently, I and my sisters were contacted by Richard Spencer, Sec of the Navy. We were invited to become Sponsors if a ship being named for our Dad. I’m currently looking for info on joining the Society, and I came across your post. I thought I would let you know that your comment was taken seriously! Thanks so much for your post!
    With respect,
    Kathryn Charette Donovan

  3. Kathryn Donovan

    Sir,
    My name is Kathryn Charette Donovan and I am a daughter of a MOH recipient, William R Charette. Recently, I and my sisters were contacted by Richard Spencer, Sec of the Navy. We were invited to become Sponsors of a ship being named for our Dad. I’m currently looking for info on joining the Society, when I came across your post. I thought I would let you know that your comment was taken seriously! Thanks so much for your post!
    With respect,
    Kathryn Charette Donovan

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