Shaheen Unveils Video of USS Manchester Ahead of Commissioning

CONCORD, N.H. - New Hampshire Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen released a video highlighting the commissioning of the U.S. Navy combat ship USS Manchester this week as preview for the ship's commissioning on May 26.

In the video, Shaheen, the official sponsor of the USS Manchester, announced the official commissioning of the USS Manchester is on May 26 in Portsmouth. The commissioning marks the first time the ship will officially join the U.S. Navy.

The USS Manchester (LCS-14) will be an Independence-class littoral combat ship in the United States Navy and is the second ship to be named for Manchester, New Hampshire. It was built in Alabama in 2016.

The initials of New Hampshire senator Jeanne Shaheen, the ship's sponsor, were welded into the hull of Manchester during the traditional keel laying ceremony. Shaheen is also considered a permanent member of the ship's crew.

The ship is an advanced high-speed and agile 419-foot combat vessel and is designed for surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare and mine countermeasures.