Calling it a “proud moment for the entire community,” Mayor Robert Crowell signed his initials into a steel plate to signify that USNS Carson City’s keel has been truly and fairly laid Friday morning in Mobile, Ala.
The USNS Carson City (JHSV 7) ship is under construction at Austal USA in Mobile, where Crowell along with other dignitaries attended the keel laying ceremony. That plate will later be affixed to the ship and will forever sail with Carson City.
Reached mid-day Friday in Mobile, Crowell said the experience was “very moving.”
The Carson City mayor said he toured Austal USA’s facilities and saw the under construction vessel. He said he was told the ship was 40 to 50 percent done.
The Carson City will be captained by Capt. Robert Wiley, a Carson City resident of 23 years. Crowell said he pointed that fact out during the ceremony, saying many of those in attendance didn’t realize Capt. Wiley was from Carson City.
Crowell said he spent Friday night eating oysters with Gen. Robert Herbert from Sen. Harry Reid’s office. Crowell and wife Susan were going to spend the rest of their time touring the attractions and historic areas before returning Sunday.
