Christening, Launching, and Commissioning in the 21st Century

"Christening, launching, and commissioning are bench marks of abiding importance in the history of a United States Navy ship. One sees in these closely related events a striking parallel to the human experience of those Americans, young and not so young, who man the ships for our nation’s defense on the oceans of the world. If launching may be likened to birth, and christening the endowment of individuality, then at commissioning the ship is at the threshold of a productive and rewarding maturity."
- E.B. Hooper, Vice Admiral, USN (Ret), Director of Naval History


"Christening and launching are the inseparable elements which endow a ship hull with her identity. Yet, just as many developmental milestones must be passed before one takes his place in society, so too must the newly-launched vessel pass such milestones before she is completed and considered ready to be designated a commissioned ship of the United States Navy. The engineering plant, weapon and electronic systems, galley, and multitudinous other equipment required to transform the new hull into an operating and habitable warship are installed and tested. The prospective commanding officer, ship's officers, the petty officers, and seamen who will form the crew report for training and intensive familiarization with their new ship. Crew and ship must function in total unison if full potential and maximum effectiveness are to be realized. The most modern naval vessel embodying every advantage of advanced technology is only as good as those who man her."
 - John C. Reilly Jr., Head, Ships History Branch


Oftentimes, some of mankind’s oldest ideas turn out to be some of his newest and brightest ideas. These two delightful quotations – regarding the commissioning of ships – are taken from a publication of the History Division of the United States Department of the Navy. They speak to the long and storied tradition of ship commissioning that can be traced all the way back to some of our earliest civilizations and societies.
Change a few words in each of these two quotations, and they could equally and wonderfully apply to the very sophisticated process of building commissioning that forms an integral part of today’s green and sustainability revolution. Modern-day structures are essentially very complex machines, with many high-tech pieces and parts that all must function perfectly in unison, especially if they are to have a gentle and positive impact on the planet where they reside.

Whether for a new community education center for the New Orleans Recovery School District, or a cutting-edge University of Illinois medical training facility in downtown Peoria, or a new Federal Citizenship and Immigration Services Center in Denver, Farnsworth Group is honored to be a national leader in the fields of building commissioning and retro-commissioning. And, to continue a tradition that began all those many centuries ago, when mankind first constructed and commissioned fine sailing vessels that explored the open seas and discovered new worlds.