What's in a Name

 Two ships arrived in Halifax today (November 9) bearing United States place names. There are stories  behind both.

First in was the United States naval vessel Cooperstown LCS 23. The latest in the Freedom class of Littoral Combat Ships, it was built by Marinette Marine in Wisconsin. It was launched January 19, 2020 and delivered to the USN on September 20, 2022. Sailing from Marinette on October 23, it made its way down through the Great Lakes and Seaway (with tug escorts in the locks), including a stopover in Quebec City. 

Departing Quebec City November 6, the ship sailed directly to Halifax but only spent today in port, sailing again this afternoon. The ship will be commissioned in New York City in the spring of 2023 and will be homeported of Mayport, FL.

The ship is named for Cooperstown, NY, a village in mid-state, that is home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. The name was selected for the ship to honour sixty-eight (some sources say 70) Hall of Famers that served in the United States military in war time. 

Perhaps less well known is that the village is named for the father of James Fenimore Cooper (1759-1851), author of The Last of the Mohicans and other adventure tales. The writer lived in the village for his early years and later life. Members of the Fenimore Cooper family also spent their summers in Murray Bay (La Malbaie), QC.

The second arrival carrying a United States place name is Maersk Idaho, which arrived at PSA Atlantic Hub this afternoon.

Built in 2000 by Hyundai, Ulsan, it was initially named Gosport Maersk. The 50,698 gt, 61,986 dwt ship has a capacity of 4338 TEU, although it appeared lightly loaded today. In 2009 it was transferred by the parent Maersk Co Ltd to Maersk Line Ltd - USA as Maersk Idaho under United States flag.

In January 2022 it was transferred to Maersk Singapore AP Pte Ltd and now sails under the Singapore flag.

The ship appears to be on its first voyage for the joint Maersk / CMA CGM, Canada Atlantic Express / St-Laurent 1 service from North Europe to Montreal. Normally ships on this service call in Halifax eastbound, but this ship is westbound from Antwerp (October 28-29). The regular ships on this route have not called in Halifax for the past several weeks.  

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