Press Release from the Office of the Mayor, John J. Lombardi

GROTON, CT - At 9:30 am, on October 24th, the Sloop Providence, the City of Providence's flagship vessel, will offer a sail-by salute to the USS Providence (SSN-719) in honor of the vital role she recently played in Operation Enduring Freedom.


	Sloop Providence Salutes the USS Providence October 24, 2002
	Photo by Richard Weinberg City of Providence

The USS Providence, marking the fifth ship to bear the name, is the first 688-class submarine equipped with the capacity and capability to vertically launch Tomahawk cruise missiles. Faster than her predecessors and armed with highly accurate weapons control systems and sophisticated anti-submarine torpedos and Harpoon missiles, the Providence gained recognition for firing the opening shots in Operation Enduring Freedom. As a result, the battle flag of the USS Providence will be soon be displayed at the Submarine Force Library and Museum in Groton, CT.

"The City of Providence is proud of the Providence's central role in Operation Enduring Freedom, and is working tirelessly to develop a namesake partnership to support the morale of our cherished USS Providence," said Mayor Lombardi. "On behalf of all Providence residents, I salute the members of her extraordinary crew for the exceptional courage and bravery they demonstrated and for the tremendous pride they have brought to our capital city and to our entire nation."

The Sloop Providence is a reproduction of the first naval vessel commissioned during the Revolutionary War. Under the command of Revolutionary War Naval hero John Paul Jones, the Sloop Providence emerged as the most victorious vessel in the American Navy, sinking or capturing 40 enemy ships before she was destroyed by her crew on August 16, 1779 to avoid capture by the British. Preserving the legacy of the Sloop Providence's most famous Commanding Officer, the USS Providence's brow banner will proudly display Jones's famous quote, "Give me a fast ship, for I intend to go into harm's way."

In recognition of the Sloop Providence's brilliant and distinguished career, a 110 foot, fully rigged sailing reproduction was built by Seaport in 1976. When financial circumstances forced the organization to dry-dock the vessel in 1995, the City of Providence purchased the Sloop Providence and formed the Providence Maritime Heritage Foundation to ensure that this important piece of national and state heritage remained a significant educational, historical, and cultural resource.

"The Sloop Providence played an important role, not only in the formation of the Rhode Island Colonial Navy, but also in our nation's early struggle for independence, and the City of Providence remains excited about the acquisition of the vessel's remarkable reproduction," said Mayor John J. Lombardi. "Offering vital educational and prevention programs for our youth, such as its Classroom Under Sail initiative, the Providence continues to make a tremendous and lasting impact throughout our city and state, enabling all Providence and Rhode Island residents to share in our vivid and exciting past and propelling us to a brighter future."