US Navy To Christen Submarine Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The U.S. Navy will christen its newest attack submarine "Minnesota" at a ceremony Saturday in Newport News, Va.

Adm. Kirk Donald, director of Naval Nuclear Propulsion, will be principal speaker. Ellen Roughead, wife of former Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead and a Minnesota native, will break a champagne bottle to christen the sub.

Minnesota is the 10th ship of the Virginia class of nuclear-powered fast-attack submarines. It's the third ship to bear the state name. The first USS Minnesota was a sailing steam frigate commissioned in 1857 that served during the Civil War. The second Minnesota was commissioned in1907.

The 7,800-ton Minnesota will have a crew of about 134 officers and enlisted personnel.

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