Navy warship to be commissioned in Ohio for first time in 250 years

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A U.S. Navy warship will be commissioned in Ohio on Saturday for the first time in 250 years.

The USS Cleveland is docked on Lake Erie ahead of the 10 a.m. ceremony.

Commander Bruce Hallett has commanded the USS Cleveland for more than two years.

“It is extremely exciting to be able to bring the USS Cleveland here to Cleveland and to be able to commission this ship here — obviously to introduce it to the city so that they can see the ship that bears their name,” Hallett said. “This has been a long time coming.”

The ship’s hallways are named after Cleveland streets, including East 9th and St. Clair Avenue.

A mural honoring the city of Cleveland is displayed on board. The Navy says it is rare to see something like this on a warship.

“Amazing mural, right? We’re so proud to have that on board,” Hallett said. “We’re just pretty much in awe when we saw all the stuff that we have in the city, and now we have it as part of the Cleveland. We love it as a crew.”

The ship’s weight room was outfitted by the Cleveland Browns with flags, towels, and mats.

“The Browns came and added their own touches to that weight room,” Hallett said. “So it’s all swagged out with all kinds of Cleveland Browns stuff now.”

The ship carries a crew of about 90, including two sailors who grew up in Cleveland.

The USS Cleveland is the final Freedom-variant littoral combat ship to be commissioned in the U.S. Navy.