Comte De Grasse (DD 974) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 8 text:

COMMI AUGUST The commissioning ceremony marks the acceptance of a ship as a unit of the operating forces of the United States Navy. At the moment of breaking the commissioning pennant, USS COMTE DE GRASSE (DD-974) becomes the responsibihty of the Commanding Of- ficer, who, together with the ship ' s officers and men, has the duty of making and keeping her ready for any service required by our nation in peace or war. The commissioning pennant is beheved to date from the 17th Century, when the Dutch were at war with the English. The Dutch Admiral Maarten Harpertszo on Tromp hoisted a broom at his masthead to indicate his intention sweep the English from the sea. This gesture was answered by the English Admiral who hoisted a horsewhip, indicating his intention to subdue the Dutch. The English were victorious and ever since the narrow coachwhip pennant has been adopted by all nations as the distinctive mark of a ship of war. The modern U.S. Navy commission- ing pennant is blue at the hoist with a union of seven white stars, and a horizontal red and white stripe at the fly. In lieu of a commission pennant, flagships fly Commodores or Admirals personal flags, hence the name flagships.

Page 7 text:

MILESTONES KEEL LAID 4 APRIL 1975 LAUNCHED 26 MARCH 1976 CHRISTENING 22 MAY 1976 AT SEA 30 MAY 1978 COMMISSIONED 5 AUGUST 1978 DD97 ' ' rru. ' Z mi- ' if t

Page 9 text:

SSIONING 5TH 1978 ' II ra t w • i « STATISTICS LENGTH 563 FT 4 IN BEAM 55 FT DISPLACEMENT 7800 TONS PERSONNEL OFFICERS-18 CPO ' S-17 ENLISTED-250 ARMAMENT: TWO 5 inch 54 cal GUN MOUNTS MK 112 ASROC LAUNCHER TWO MK 32 TORPEDO TUBES SEA SPARROW MISSLE SYSTEM HARPOON MISSLE SYSTEM ANTISUBMARINE HELICOPTERS BUILT BY: INGALLS SHIPBUILDING PASCAGOULA, MS.