Construction on South Dakota's Latest Naval Vessel Begins Friday

Construction on the latest U.S. Naval vessel with ties to South Dakota is set to begin this week.

On Friday, (June 16) the USS Pierre (LCS 38), a 419-foot long Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship, will be honored at a keel laying ceremony in Mobile, Alabama.

Throughout history, the state of South Dakota has had several different Naval vessels that were named after its cities, places, and people. Some of those ships include the USS Dacotah in 1860, the USS South Dakota (ACR 9) in 1908, the USS Huron, and Oglala in 1917, the USS South Dakota (BB 57) in 1942, the USS Rushmore (LSD 14) and USS Waldron in 1944, the USS Hollister in 1946, and the USS Rushmore (LSD 47) in 1991.

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The most storied South Dakota Naval vessel of all time is of course the USS South Dakota (BB 57), an American battleship that played several different prominent roles and saw extensive action throughout World War II.

Dakota News Now is reporting, that Friday's ceremony will mark the beginning of the USS Pierre's construction.

This new ship will actually be the second vessel to bear the name USS Pierre. The first USS Pierre was a PC-461-class submarine chaser used during World War II. That vessel was decommissioned from the U.S. Navy's fleet in 1958.

Austal USA will be responsible for constructing the brand new USS Pierre, and as Dakota News Now reports, they plan to live-stream Friday's ceremony starting at 10:00 AM (central time).

According to Dakota News Now, the USS Pierre will officially join the U.S. Navy's fleet in 2025, after her Christening ceremony and a year of sea trials.

Source: Dakota News Now

5 Things South Dakota Gave the World

South Dakota may not get much respect. We get a blizzard and it's a footnote on the national scene, but if Florida gets a bit chilly it's breaking news. But, maybe it's fine to be forgotten about. We kind of like being left alone on our quiet piece of the plains.

South Dakota has given a lot to the world though. Not just giant mountain carvings and settings for HBO shows, but awesome things that the rest of the world should thank us for.