Military Sealift Command rescue and salvage ship USNS Grasp (T-ARS 51) successfully delivered the decommissioned Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) to the Navy inactive ship yard in Bremerton September 18th.
The journey, of the two ships began in San Diego Sept. 8. In the San Diego Bay, Grasp connected to Lake Champlain and began the tow journey that would conclude in Bremerton.
The Navy decommissioned Lake Champlain Sept. 1 at Naval Base San Diego, after more than 35 years of service.
The ship, which was originally commissioned in 1988, supported Operations Enduring Freedom and Southern Watch, the Global War on Terrorism, maritime security operations in the North Arabian Gulf, and counter-piracy operations during its service.
The ship‘s name honors American success defending waters of Lake Champlain and the lakeside town of Plattsburg, New York, during the War of 1812 against the British forces. It was the third Navy ship to bear the name.
With its arrival at the Inactive Ship Yard, Lake Champlain will be in a Logistic Support Asset (LSA) status. Grasp will return to San Diego where it will conduct the tow of USS Bunker Hill later this fall.