Military Sealift Command’s newest fleet replenishment oiler, USNS Lucy Stone (T-AO 209), slides down the rails, and into the San Diego Bay, following its christening at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego on Sept. 21, 2024. (Military Sealift Command )

The USNS Lucy Stone, a fleet replenishment oiler was christened at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego on Saturday. The ship’s name honors American suffragist Lucy Stone, a trailblazer in the women’s rights movement and the abolishment of slavery.

The ship’s co-sponsors, Deborah Donnley Simmons and Alicia Aadnesen broke a bottle of champagne over the ship’s bow, marking the ship’s activation of service in the water.

“For the United States of America, I christen you the USNS Lucy Stone. May God bless this ship and all who sail on her,” Simmons and Aadnesen said.

The Stone is the fifth newest ship in the John Lewis-class, which are named after civil rights leaders. The ship hopes to tell Stone’s legacy of advocating for freedom and equality.

Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Torro addresses attendees during the christening ceremony of Military Sealift Command’s newest fleet replenishment oiler, USNS Lucy Stone (T-AO 209), at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego on Sept. 21, 2024. (Military Sealift Command )

“The enduring legacy of Lucy Stone as a trailblazer in the women’s rights movement remains an indelible source of inspiration today,” said Ray Mabus, former Secretary of the Navy. “How extraordinary that all of these years later, today, our United States Navy is headed-up by the Chief of Naval Operations, a female by the name of Adm. Lisa Franchetti. It would not have been possible if it had not been for the efforts of Lucy Stone.”

The Navy is replacing the current class of oilers, which were first commissioned in 1987. The Stone will be manned by a crew of about 100 civilian Merchant Mariners, sailing under the operational control of the Military Sealift Command.

“In order to maintain sustained operations at sea, our Navy warships rely on Military Sealift Command’s Combat Logistics Fleet,” said Mabus. “Despite the challenges posed by shortfalls in numbers, MSC continues to play a vital role in supporting our nation’s logistics readiness. I thank all of our Merchant Mariners for answering our national call to maritime service, and for their ongoing efforts to recruit and maintain our critical capabilities!”