Ceremonial ship launching

1908 launch of the Brazilian battleship Minas Geraes
The U.S. Navy's future USS Billings is launched sideways into the Menominee River in Marinette, Wisconsin

Ceremonial ship launching involves the performing of ceremonies associated with the process of transferring a vessel to the water. It is a nautical tradition in many cultures, dating back millennia, to accompany the physical process with ceremonies which have been observed as public celebration and a solemn blessing, usually but not always, in association with the launch itself.

Ship launching imposes stresses on the ship not met during normal operation and in addition to the size and weight of the vessel represents a considerable engineering challenge as well as a public spectacle. The process also involves many traditions intended to invite good luck, such as christening by breaking a sacrificial bottle of champagne over the bow as the ship is named aloud and launched.[1]

  1. ^ Robert McNamara. "History of Ship Christenings With Champagne". About.com Education. Archived from the original on 14 September 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2013.