While area residents are anticipating the return of a U.S. Navy ship, the USS Oscar Austin, for the Fourth of July celebration in Eastport this year, after an absence since 2019, another Navy ship is expected to visit the port this fall. The USS Augusta is set to be commissioned by the U.S. Navy, and, although the commissioning ceremony is still subject to change, the Eastport Port Authority is anticipating it will occur at the Eastport breakwater from September 25 to October 2.
      While the Navy was looking at other ports in Maine for the commissioning, Eastport made a pitch to host the ceremony, pointing to its long history of hosting Navy ships over the Fourth of July.
      "We are well known and well respected by the Navy, and it's a natural fit for Eastport," says Chris Gardner, executive director of the port authority. "Our operation, experience and vetted status made us a great candidate, and of course the success of all our Fourth of July visits is well-known through the Navy."
      While most Navy ship commissioning ceremonies in Maine are held at Bath Iron Works, this vessel, a 418-foot Independence-class littoral combat ship, was built in Alabama, with work having been completed in May 2022. However, because she's named for a Maine city, the Navy wanted the vessel to be commissioned in the state. She is actually the second ship to be named for Augusta.
      "The Navy is excited to come, and we're working out the details to make sure this takes place," says Gardner, who says "all indications are that Eastport will be selected" as the port for the commissioning. "It's a huge coup for the Port of Eastport," he says, adding that there could be a number of significant dignitaries attending the series of commissioning events that will last for a week.
      Gardner points out that the commissioning ceremony celebrates a tradition dating back to the first ship ever commissioned by the U.S. Navy, the Margaretta, in 1775. That vessel was captured from the British in the Battle of Machias, the first naval battle of the American Revolution, and was then used as a privateer.
      "The commissioning team was very pleased to hear that they were going to be coming to the county home for that event," says Gardner. "This is almost the birthplace of commissioning" Navy ships, he points out. Gardner has reached out to those involved with the Margaretta Days Festival so that they are aware of the ceremony in Eastport. "It's a celebration of Washington County's heritage," he notes.
      "The port authority's ability to attract an event like this speaks well of the community and its long-standing support of the Navy," says Gardner. "That's indicated by the success of the Fourth of July visits over many years. Old Home Week is famous among Eastporters, but Eastport is famous within the Navy due to its Fourth celebrations."