Themes

Celebrating important occasions in the construction of a submarine

Launching and commissioning ceremonies have a long history. They are used to commemorate important occasions in the construction of a ship and many of the traditions associated with them are believed to protect the vessel from bad luck. The launching of a ship, in particular, became a great public event, with large crowds assembled to watch the ceremony. In this article you will discover that during the 20th century these old traditions merged with new technology as keel laying, launching and commissioning ceremonies all extended to the submarine service.

Article Highlights

• Introduction

• The keel laying ceremony

• Launching a submarine

• The commissioning service

• Location of the ceremonies

To find out about the keel laying ceremony, select Next