Necker Island (British Virgin Islands) world, the challenge begins at the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas with the top 10 new innovations progressing to the finals at Necker Island where Branson joins the judging panel along with technology figures and investors from Silicon Valley. The Necker Cup, an exhibition tennis tournament held at the end of the tennis season, has been held on the island annually since 2012. In February 2017, former U.S. President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle visited Necker as guests of Sir Richard Branson. On August 22, 2011, The Great House burned down in a blaze believed to be
USS Richard S. Bull USS Richard S. Bull USS "Richard S. Bull" (DE-402) was a acquired by the United States Navy during World War II. The primary purpose of the destroyer escort was to escort and protect ships in convoy, in addition to other tasks as assigned, such as patrol or radar picket. She was named in honor of Lieutenant Richard S. Bull (1913–1942) who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. The ship's keel was laid down on 18 August 1943 by Brown Shipbuilding Co. at their yard in Houston, Texas. The vessel was launched on 16 November 1943, sponsored by Mrs. Richard S.