What's in a name? There's more to the USS Portland than you think


The second USS Portland, on its return from Kuwait in 2003.

(U.S. Navy photo)

It's an honor, viewed one way. Perhaps it's a snub, viewed another. Or maybe it's just an evening of the cosmic balance.


informed Oregon officials Friday it would name an under-construction landing platform dock ship the USS Portland. Gov. John Kitzhaber called it "a great honor," adding "The USS Portland and its crew will always be welcome in Oregon, and I look forward to the chance to come aboard."

This is the third USS Portland in the Navy's fleet. The first was a heavy cruiser that saw heavy action in World War II and was scrapped in 1962. That one was named for Portland, Maine.

The second one was also a dock landing ship.

and was decommissioned in 2003 after 33 years of service. It was sunk as a target, the Navy said, in 2004. That one was named for Portland, Maine AND Portland, Ore.

And now this new one, the Navy says, is named exclusively for Portland, Ore.

"I appreciate the many contributions to our Navy and Marine Corps team that have been made by the people of Portland and the state of Oregon," said Navy Secretary Ray Mabus.

So, while Portland, Ore., gets a new nautical namesake, Portland, Maine, gets nothing. A call to the Portland, Maine Chamber of Commerce was referred to Portland, Maine, mayor's office, which called back to say everybody was out of the office. Perhaps everyone there is sulking.

Or perhaps they are secure in the knowledge that, while Portland, Ore., has its name on a new transport dock ship, the Navy still makes good use of the USS Maine.

It's an 8-year-old ballistic missile submarine.

-Mike Francis