USNS Carson City passes muster, artist rendering presented to Gov. Sandoval

The USNS Carson City, the US Navy’s newest Expeditionary Fast Transport Vehicle christened in January, completed acceptance trials in the Gulf of Mexico this week. The Carson City will be formally turned over the US Navy on June 24, 2016.

In honor of the Navy’s acceptance of the Carson City, Susan Crowell, ship’s sponsor, and Carolyn Southard, ship’s matron of honor, in cooperation with the Navy League of the United States Carson City Council, presented Gov. Sandoval and the state of Nevada with the official artist’s rendering of the Carson City done by Navy artist Peter K. Hsu.

“Governor Sandoval is a strong supporter of our military and our veterans,” Crowell said. “We were proud to present him with the official artist’s rendering of the USNS Carson City.

As the ship’s sponsor, Crowell will remain in contact with the ship throughout its service life, and work with the captain and crew to provide support as needed.

“It is an honor and a privilege to have been selected by the Secretary of the Navy to be our ship’s sponsor,” she said. “I’m excited to embark upon my duties.”

Also in attendance representing the Navy League were Carson City Mayor Bob Crowell, retired Navy captain; Clarence “Bud” Southard, Carson City league president and a Nevada Veteran of the Month; Eric Moormann, retired Navy lieutenant commander and Donna Brand, retired Navy commander.

Sandoval said the rendering and coins will be a treasured addition to the military artifacts he has collected over the years.

“I’m really humbled to get this and I think it’s beautiful,” he said. “I hope you know I am as proud as you are Mayor Crowell, to have the ship named after Carson City, as well as all the time and commitment required to make it happen.”

Southard presented the official ship’s bell that will be installed on the USNS CARSON CITY for inspection by the Governor, who related the story of the bell from the USS NEVADA, the only ship in Pearl Harbor to get underway during the attack in 1941. The ship’s wheel from the USS NEVADA is now on display in Sandoval’s office.

“Charles Sehe, who survived the attack on Pearl Harbor, lost the six buddies he ate breakfast with every morning after they heard that bell,” he said. “When we celebrated the 100th anniversary of the USS NEVADA, Charles Sehe rang that bell six times in their memory.”

Sandoval said he was honored to see the bell before it goes out to the USNS CARSON CITY.

“You just don’t know the impact it will have on an individual and friends,” he said. “It came full circle for me to hear Charles’ story 70 years later. Who knows in 30 to 40 years what impact this bell will have to the crew of the Carson City?”

The USNS Carson City is the seventh of a fleet of 10 Expeditionary Fast Transport vessels being built for the Navy by Austal USA, a global defense contractor. The modern, multi-mission, non-combatant transport vessel designed for high volume, high speed and flexibility is constructed of aluminum. The ship is captained by Carson City native Capt. Bob Wiley and will be stationed in Spain following its final acceptance into the Navy.

Click here for more on Charles Sehe’s Pearl Harbor experience on the USS NEVADA.

In the photos: Gov. Sandoval shares the story of WWII veteran Charles Sehe with Bud Southard and Carson City Mayor Bob Crowell as they present the bell for inspection.

In the second photo, Carolyn Southard, matron of honor, and Susan Crowell, ship’s sponsor, for the USS Carson City present Gov. Sandoval with the official artist’s rendering of the ship, done by Peter K. Hsu, commissioned by shipbuilder Austal USA.

In the third photo, Carolyn Southard, looks on as Mayor Bob Crowell and ship’s sponsor, Susan Crowell, present the official artist’s rendering of the ship to Gov. Sandoval. The wheel from the USS NEVADA is displayed on the wall behind the Governor’s desk.

In the fourth photo, Navy League of the United States Carson City Council president Bud Southard presents the ship’s bell for the USNS Carson City to Gov. Sandoval.