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USS Robert Smalls (CG 62)

- formerly CHANCELLORSVILLE -

USS ROBERT SMALLS is the 16th TICONDEROGA - class guided missile cruiser. Commissioned in 1989, the ship served as USS CHANCELLORSVILLE for more than 33 years. In September 2022, a US Government Naming Commission recommended that the Navy should rename the CHANCELLORSVILLE since the name allegedly celebrates the Confederacy. On March 1, 2023, the ship was officially renamed ROBERT SMALLS, honoring the slave who commandeered the Confederate ship CSS PLANTER in 1862.

General Characteristics:Awarded: November 26, 1984
Keel laid: June 24, 1987
Launched: July 15, 1988
Commissioned: November 4, 1989
Builder: Ingalls Shipbuilding, West Bank, Pascagoula, Miss.
Propulsion system: four General Electric LM 2500 gas turbine engines
Propellers: two
Blades on each Propeller: five
Length: 567 feet (173 meters)
Beam: 55 feet (16.8 meters)
Draft: 34 feet (10.2 meters)
Displacement: approx. 9,600 tons full load
Speed: 30+ knots
Cost: about $1 billion
Aircraft: two SH-60 Sea Hawk (LAMPS 3)
Armament: two Mk 41 VLS for Standard missiles, Tomahawk, ASROC; Mk 46 torpedoes, Harpoon missile launchers, two Mk 45 5-inch/54 caliber lightweight guns, two Phalanx CIWS, two Mk 38 Mod 2 25mm machine gun systems
Homeport: Yokosuka, Japan
Crew: 33 Officers, 27 Chief Petty Officers and approx. 340 Enlisted


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Crew List:

This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USS CHANCELLORSVILLE / ROBERT SMALLS. It is no official listing but contains the names of sailors who submitted their information.


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About the Ship's Coat of Arms:

The Shield:

The shield's Dark blue and gold are the traditional Navy colors. The dark blue and gray refer to the colors of the Union and Confederate Armies that were engaged at the Civil War battle of Chancellorsville. The predominate gray refers to General Robert E. Lee's spectacular military strategies and his dominance in this battle. Lee's victory came at heavy cost, however, because General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson was mortally wounded. The inverted wreath commemorates General Jackson's death. The embattled division and separation of the Union and Confederate colors represent the country divided. The battlements, which resemble a stone wall, allude to both General Jackson and the fortress- like quality of an AEGIS ship. The border, red for valor and bloodshed, symbolizes the Union's attempt to keep the country together. The sword stands for combat readiness; its upright position emphasizes vertical launch capabilities of USS CHANCELLORSVILLE. The bugle horn, adapted from Civil War insignia, echoes the favorite words of General Jackson in calling for soldiers to PRESS ON.

The Crest:

The crest's trident is symbolic of sea power. The three tines of the trident represent USS CHANCELLORSVILLE's anti-air, anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare capabilities. The AEGIS shape and Civil War cannon embody new and old weaponry.



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Accidents aboard USS CHANCELLORSVILLE / ROBERT SMALLS:

DateWhereEvents
November 16, 2013off Point Mugu, Calif.USS CHANCELLORSVILLE is hit by a malfunctioning BQM-74 drone during weapon systems tests off Point Mugu. Two sailors receive minor injuries.


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History of USS CHANCELLORSVILLE / ROBERT SMALLS:

USS CHANCELLORSVILLE was commissioned at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, MS, on 4 November 1989. She deployed from 1 March 1991 to 27 August 1991 to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation DESERT STORM.

CHANCELLORSVILLE deployed from 19 February 1993 to 19 August 1993 to the Western Pacific and Arabian Gulf as part of the NIMITZ Battle Group. On 26 June 1993, CHANCELLORSVILLE launched strikes on the Iraqi Intelligence Center in Baghdad with nine Tomahawk missiles in retaliation for the aborted assassination attempt on former President Bush.

On 28 April 1995, and until 28 October 1995, CHANCELLORSVILLE deployed to the Western Pacific and Arabian Gulf.

From 6 November 1996 until 6 February 1997, USS CHANCELLORSVILLE deployed to the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific in support of joint counter-narcotics operations. During this deployment, USS CHANCELLORSVILLE rescued the crew of an Ecuadorian-flagged fishing vessel on December 18 in the Southern Caribbean Sea, which had reportedly been adrift for 10 days. Upon its return home, USS CHANCELLORSVILLE underwent its first major overhaul, from 24 March 1997 - 17 December 1997. Southwest Marine Incorporated, San Diego, CA was awarded a $10,361,269 firm-fixed-price contract for the Regular Overhaul (ROH) of USS CHANCELLORSVILLE. Work was performed in San Diego, CA.

On July, 7 1998, USS CHANCELLORSVILLE changed homeport, from San Diego, CA, to Yokosuka, Japan joining Battle Force Seventh Fleet as part of the U.S. Forward Deployed Naval Force. It arrived in Yokosuka on 11 August 1998. From 28 September to 13 November 1998, CHANCELLORSVILLE participated in multinational operations in the Sea of Japan, including the International Fleet Review.

From March 2, 1999 to April 5, 1999, USS CHANCELLORSVILLE deployed in the Western Pacific region with the USS KITTY HAWK Battle Group. Exercises it took part in included the Multinational Training Exercise (MTX) '99 and Tandem Thrust '99.

On April, 6 1999, CHANCELLORSVILLE deployed to the Arabian Gulf in company with USS KITTY HAWK and USS CURTIS WILBUR in support of Operation Southern Watch. It took part in Exercise Cobra Gold with the military forces of the Republic of Thailand in May. It returned to Yokosuka, Japan, on January 5, 2000.

While on a regularly scheduled two-month deployment to the Western Pacific Ocean, the USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63) and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, accompanied by CHANCELLORSVILLE and the destroyer USS O'BRIEN (DD 975), took part in Exercise Cobra Gold 2000. From May 9-23, Exercise Cobra Gold 2000 tested the U.S. and Thai military to ensure regional peace. It also strengthened the ability of the Royal Thai armed forces to defend themselves and respond to regional contingencies. This annual joint exercise was one of the largest military exercises involving U.S. forces in the Pacific Command this year, and it involved units from the Thai and U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy and Marines. Armed forces from Singapore also participated for the first time that year.

CHANCELLORSVILLE made a port call in Qingdao, People's Republic of China from August 2, 2000 to August 5, 2000. USS CHANCELLORSVILLE then took part, with the USS KITTY HAWK Battle Group, in the 39th Exercise Foal Eagle from October 24 to November 1, 2000. Following this, the ship took part in ANNUALEX 12G, a routine annual bilateral maritime exercise between the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) and the U.S. Navy, starting on November 8 and ending on November 17 in waters around Japan. The exercise was designed to improve both navies' capabilities for coordinated and bilateral operations in the defense of Japan, with ANNUALEX 12G, in particular, focused on enhancing military-to-military relationships improving command and control and air, undersea and surface warfare. USS CHANCELLORSVILLE then took part in Missile exercise (MISSILEX) 01-1 which was held November 17-18 as part of a coordinated task group operation. During the exercise, CHANCELLORSVILLE fired SM-2 missiles, in addition to it guns. It later took part in Exercise Keen Sword.

CHANCELLORSVILLE left on March 2, 2001 for an extended Spring Cruise, visiting Singapore, Thailand, Saipan and Sydney, Australia. It returned to Yokosuka on June 11, 2001.

CHANCELLORSVILLE went into dry dock for an overhaul in the fall of 2001. Included among the upgrades was a quadrupling of the ship's Internet acccess bandwidth, to 128K, and with 75 more computer terminals to be installed onboard.

USS CHANCELLORSVILLE deployed with the KITTY HAWK (CV 63) from Yokosuka on September 30, 2001, as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

In September 2006, the USS SHILOH (CG 67) relieved the CHANCELLORSVILLE as a forward deployed naval unit in Yokosuka, Japan, and the CHANCELLORSVILLE sailed for her new homeport of San Diego, Calif.


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About the Ship’s Names:

The Battle of Chancellorsville:

The Battle of Chancellorsvillewas fought from 1-4 May 1863, between the Federal Army of the Potomac, General Joseph Hooker commanding, and the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, General Robert E. Lee commanding. Both armies had wintered around Fredricksburg, Virgina, after the disastrous federal defeat near the town in December 1862. Frontal assault having failed under General Ambrose E. Burnside, Gen. Hooker would try a flank manuever. He would lead a sizeable portion of his 130,000 man army up the north side of the Rappahannock River to cross behind General Lee and jeopardize the positions of the Southerners near Fredricksburg.

On May 1st the Battle flared into action west of Fredricksburg as General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson attacked toward Chancellorsville on two seperate roads. Gen. Hooker committed the fatal blunder of retreating under Gen. Jackson's pressure, thus losing the initiative and giving his opponents the chance to attack his weak spots. Early the next morning in a bold move to cut around the Union Army, general Jackson marched west with nearly 30,000 men, leaving General Lee with only 15,000 men to face General Hooker's main threat. By late afternoon Gen. Jackson had his entire force behind Gen. Hooker's army, and he was able to launch an overwhelming surprise attack which caved in the federal line for 2.5 miles.

When confusion and darkness finally brought the attack to a halt, General Jackson rode out in front of his lines to find a means of renewing the offensive and destroying Gen. Hooker's army. With total success at hand, tragic circumstances intervened. As the General rode back towards his own men, some of them fired a blind volley which badly wounded him. He died a week later at Guiney Station, Virginia, as a result of his wounds and the pnuemonia which subsequently developed. The loss of Gen. Jackson dealt a crushing and irreparable blow to the military fortunes of the Confederacy.

Very early on the morning of May 3rd, Southern troops charged against the fortified federal lines one mile west of Chancellorsville. Confederate forces captured the key to the battle at the outset, when they occupied the high clearing known as Hazel grove. The Federals abandoned this vital position with hardly a struggle. After several hours of violent and costly fighting in the woods, Confederate infantry joined hands with their comrades to the east and drove Gen. Hooker back to a new position a mile north of Chancellorsville.

Meanwhile the Union troops back at Fredricksburg, under Gen. John Sedgwick, had pushed through the thin confederate lines entrenched there. Gen. Lee was compelled to halt this victorious army near Chancellorsville and send substantial reinforcements east towards Fredricksburg. After extensive fighting near the Salem church on May 3rd and 4th, Gen. Sedgwick was thrown back across the Rappahannock River at Bank's Ford.

During the night of may 4th-5th, as Gen. Sedgwick was hastily crossing the river, Gen. Hooker, safe in a snug retreat north of Chancellorsville called a meeting of his corps commanders. In a feeble explanation of his actions, Gen. Hooker told them his main responsibilty was to protect Washington, and therefore he had no right to jeopardize the army. He then wanted to know if the corps commanders would vote to stay and fight or retreat across the river. Although a majority voted to stay and fight, Gen. Hooker took it upon himself the responsibility of withdrawing the army to the other side of the river.

Gen. Lee's great victory had one very strong noteworthy effect: it removed any lingering objection on the part of the Richmond administration to his proposed invasion of Pennsylvania. Thus the battle of Chancellorsville led directly to Gettysburg, the turning point of the War.


Robert Smalls:

Robert Smalls was born into slavery in South Carolina in 1839. He became a skilled sailor and was an expert navigator of southern coasts. Smalls was conscripted in 1862 to serve as pilot of the Confederate steamer PLANTER at Charleston. On 13 May 1862, he executed a daring escape out of the heavily fortified Charleston harbor with his family, other enslaved people, and valuable military cargo onboard, and successfully surrendered PLANTER to the US Navy.

Smalls continued as pilot of the ship, but also piloted ironclad KEOKUK and other vessels. He ultimately became captain of PLANTER. An ardent advocate for African Americans, Smalls led one of the first boycotts of segregated public transportation in 1864. This movement led to the city of Philadelphia integrating streetcars in 1867.

After the Civil War, Smalls was appointed a brigadier general of the South Carolina militia, and from 1868 to 1874 he served in the South Carolina legislature. In 1874, he was elected to the US House of Representatives and served for five terms, advocating for greater integration. After his time in Congress, Smalls was twice appointed collector of the Port of Beaufort, South Carolina. He died at Beaufort in 1915.


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The two photos below were taken by William Chiu and show the CHANCELLORSVILLE at Hong Kong on August 4, 1991.



The photo below was taken by Karl-Heinz Ahles and shows USS CHANCELLORSVILLE in San Diego, Calif., in October 1997.



The photo below was taken by Michael Nebel and shows USS CHANCELLORSVILLE at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., in 1998.



The photos below were taken by me and show the CHANCELLORSVILLE at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on March 10, 2008.



The photos below were taken by me and show the CHANCELLORSVILLE at the fuel pier at Point Loma, Calif., on March 23, 2010.



The photos below were taken by me and show the CHANCELLORSVILLE at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on September 29, 2011. 20 days earlier, on September 9, 2011, the CHANCELLORSVILLE had returned from a 7-month cruise to the western Pacific and Middle East.



The photos below were taken by me and show the CHANCELLORSVILLE undergoing maintenance at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on March 15, 2012.



The photos below were taken by me and show the CHANCELLORSVILLE drydocked at BAE Ship Repair in San Diego, Calif., on May 10, 2012.



The photos below were taken by me and show the CHANCELLORSVILLE still being overhauled at BAE Ship Repair in San Diego, Calif., on October 3, 2012.



The photo below was taken by Michael Jenning and shows the CHANCELLORSVILLE at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on December 27, 2014.



The photos below were taken by Hagen Wagner and show the CHANCELLORSVILLE undergoing a Selected Restricted Availability at Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, on July 28, 2017.



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