Navy to commission ship in Wilmington

Wilmington will once again host an historic event. The US Navy announced that a 500-foot long guided-missile destroyer will be commissioned here this fall. The ship is named after Vice Admiral Samuel Lee Gravely, who was the Navy’s first African-American Vice Admiral.

The Gravely (DDG 107) is part of the Navy’s only active class of destroyers, which are among the largest and most powerful destroyers ever built.

In May 2008 Wilmington was also the site of the commissioning of the nuclear attack submarine USS North Carolina. More than 6,000 people packed the Port of Wilmington to watch it happen.

We’ll have more details about this latest announcement tonight on WWAY NewsChannel 3 starting at 5.

For more information on the Gravely, check out its official website.