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USS Hawes (FFG-53)
Encyclopedia
USS Hawes (FFG-53) is a later model Oliver Hazard Perry-class
guided missile frigate
. She is named for Rear Admiral Richard E. Hawes
(1894–1968) who was twice decorated with the Navy Cross
for submarine
salvage operations. Any ship that bears his name is the only ship in the U.S. naval fleet that can fly the pirate flag, jolly roger, that RDML Hawes designed himself.
The contract to build Hawes was awarded to Bath Iron Works
22 May 1981, and her keel was laid 26 August 1983. She was launched
18 February 1984, delivered 1 February 1985, and commissioned
9 February 1985.
On 12 October 2000, USS Hawes was involved, along with USS Donald Cook (DDG-75)
, in providing repair and logistics support to the USS Cole (DDG-67)
, shortly after she was attacked
in Aden, Yemen.
As of 2006, Hawes is homeported at NAVSTA Norfolk
, Virginia
; she is part of Destroyer Squadron 26
.
In July 2010, Hawes docked for five days at Pier 4 of the Charlestown Navy Yard, participating in a Navy Week coordinated alongside Boston's Harborfest. The ship was decommissioned
at the end of 2010.
Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate
The Oliver Hazard Perry class is a class of frigates named after the American Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, the hero of the naval Battle of Lake Erie...
guided missile frigate
Frigate
A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...
. She is named for Rear Admiral Richard E. Hawes
Richard E. Hawes
Richard Ellington Hawes was an officer in the United States Navy who served in World War I and World War II.-Early life, through World War I:...
(1894–1968) who was twice decorated with the Navy Cross
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
for submarine
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
salvage operations. Any ship that bears his name is the only ship in the U.S. naval fleet that can fly the pirate flag, jolly roger, that RDML Hawes designed himself.
The contract to build Hawes was awarded to Bath Iron Works
Bath Iron Works
Bath Iron Works is a major American shipyard located on the Kennebec River in Bath, Maine, United States. Since its founding in 1884 , BIW has built private, commercial and military vessels, most of which have been ordered by the United States Navy...
22 May 1981, and her keel was laid 26 August 1983. She was launched
Ship naming and launching
The ceremonies involved in naming and launching naval ships are based in traditions thousands of years old.-Methods of launch:There are three principal methods of conveying a new ship from building site to water, only two of which are called "launching." The oldest, most familiar, and most widely...
18 February 1984, delivered 1 February 1985, and commissioned
Ship commissioning
Ship commissioning is the act or ceremony of placing a ship in active service, and may be regarded as a particular application of the general concepts and practices of project commissioning. The term is most commonly applied to the placing of a warship in active duty with its country's military...
9 February 1985.
On 12 October 2000, USS Hawes was involved, along with USS Donald Cook (DDG-75)
USS Donald Cook (DDG-75)
USS Donald Cook is an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer in the United States Navy.Named for Donald Cook, a Vietnam War prisoner of war who died in captivity, the destroyer was commissioned in 1998. It was one of the first U.S. warships to come to the aid of the USS Cole after it was...
, in providing repair and logistics support to the USS Cole (DDG-67)
USS Cole (DDG-67)
The second USS Cole is an Arleigh Burke-class Aegis-equipped guided missile destroyer homeported in NS Norfolk, Virginia. The Cole is named in honor of Marine Sergeant Darrell S. Cole, a machine-gunner killed in action on Iwo Jima on 19 February 1945, during World War II...
, shortly after she was attacked
USS Cole bombing
The USS Cole Bombing, or the USS Cole Incident, was a suicide attack against the United States Navy destroyer on October 12, 2000 while it was harbored and refueled in the Yemeni port of Aden. Seventeen American sailors were killed, and 39 were injured...
in Aden, Yemen.
As of 2006, Hawes is homeported at NAVSTA Norfolk
Naval Station Norfolk
Naval Station Norfolk, in Norfolk, Virginia, is a base of the United States Navy, supporting naval forces in the United States Fleet Forces Command, those operating in the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and Indian Ocean...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
; she is part of Destroyer Squadron 26
Destroyer squadron
A destroyer squadron is a naval squadron or flotilla usually consisting of destroyers rather than other types of vessel. In some navies other vessels, such as frigates, may be included. In English the word "squadron" tends to be used for larger and "flotilla" for smaller vessels, both may be used...
.
In July 2010, Hawes docked for five days at Pier 4 of the Charlestown Navy Yard, participating in a Navy Week coordinated alongside Boston's Harborfest. The ship was decommissioned
Ship decommissioning
To decommission a ship is to terminate her career in service in the armed forces of her nation. A somber occasion, it has little of the elaborate ceremony of ship commissioning, but carries significant tradition....
at the end of 2010.