Scene on the Sound: USNS Fisher

USNS Fisher
Photo by Jan Hansen

A sister to the USNS Brittin arrived today.

USNS Fisher (T-AKR-301) is a Bob Hope -class roll on roll off vehicle cargo ship of the United States Navy. She was built by Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, New Orleans and delivered to the Navy on 4 August 1998. They assigned her to the United States Department of Defense 's Military Sealift Command.

About the Ship's Name:

When Secretary of the Navy John Dalton made the announcement that T-AKR 301 would be named USNS FISHER, he said, "There is no way to repay the Fishers for their decades of support, but this gesture-naming a ship in their honor-is the Navy's way of saying thank you very much."

Zachary Fisher, a prominent New York City builder, and his wife, Elizabeth, were instrumental in transforming the historic aircraft carrier USS INTREPID (CV 11) into a museum "so that future generations could appreciate the sacrifices made by a few to guarantee the liberties and freedoms of many..." The INTREPID Sea Air Space Museum opened in August 1982.

Mr. Fisher and his wife, Elizabeth, are dedicated to enhancing the public perception of the U.S. Military. In 1983, the Fishers founded the Zachary and Elizabeth M. Fisher Armed Services Foundation. Fisher Houses, which in 1996 totaled 24, exist to provide free housing for military families in times of crisis. The Foundation has provided substantial direct payments to the surviving families of service people, including the forty-seven killed sailors of the IOWA (BB 61) gun turret explosion. The Foundation also provides college scholarships for dependents of military personnel.

--U.S. Navy