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USS Manchester (LCS 14)
BLAZON
SHIELD: Azure (Dark Blue), three wavy bars Argent debruised by an inverted pile Or, surmounted by an endorse of the first, between two anchors of the third and bearing a representation of the bow of a littoral combat ship.
CREST: From a wreath Argent and Azure (Dark Blue) a demi-gear Or, behind a flowing scroll of the second inscribed “LABOR VINCIT” of the first, overall an embowed arm, clothed Celeste, grasping a trident Gris (Dark Gray) fesswise, all below nine arching mullets of the third, the center mullet enlarged.
SYMBOLISM
SHIELD: Dark blue and gold, the colors traditionally associated with the Navy, represent the sea and excellence. The pile and bow of the littoral combat ship represent the projection of power, emphasizing the mission of the USS MANCHESTER. The wavy bars denote the Merrimack River which runs through Manchester, New Hampshire and transported textiles to Boston for further shipping abroad. Two gold anchors symbolize that this is the second Navy ship to carry the name Manchester.
CREST: The embowed arm and scroll are borrowed directly from the City of Manchester seal, honoring the citizens of Manchester. Here, the hammer has been replaced with a trident, symbolizing the prowess of the sea. The motto, “LABOR VINCIT,” translates to “Work Conquers” and harkens to the pride and work ethic of Manchester’s citizens, emphasized by the gold gear, and representing the textile mill industry of the City. The nine stars represent the nine battle stars awarded to the first USS MANCHESTER (CL-83) for her heroic operations during the Korean War. Nine stars further celebrate New Hampshire as the ninth state to join the Union.
SEAL: The coat of arms as blazoned in full color on an oval field within a dark blue designation band, edged with a gold chain and bearing the name “USS MANCHESTER” at the top and “LCS 14” at the base.
Namesake of USS Manchester
The name "Manchester" honors the city's rich history, dating back to its industrial heyday when the banks of the Merrimack River buzzed with activity from numerous textile mills. The vessel's commissioning symbolized a nexus between past and present, encapsulating both the industrial legacy of Manchester and the cutting-edge naval engineering of today. The USS Manchester motto, “Labor Vincit," is a reminder that the hard work put in by the crew will be of credit to our Navy and our Nation. As she sails through the oceans of the world, the USS Manchester carries forth a legacy of industrial fortitude, technological innovation, and a commitment to safeguarding maritime interests.
History of USS Manchester
The USS MANCHESTER (LCS-14) is an Independence-variant littoral combat ship of the United States Navy, embodying a blend of modern naval technology and historical heritage. Commissioned on May 26, 2018, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the ship is a tribute to the industrious spirit of the city of Manchester, New Hampshire. USS MANCHESTER is designed for versatility, capable of navigating both the vast expanses of open ocean and the shallower waters of littoral zones. This agility enables her to undertake a variety of missions, from mine warfare to humanitarian aid.
USS Manchester’s first deployment began in April of 2023 and is still ongoing with the support of dual crew operations. Manchester recently logged her longest underway stretch in the ship’s 5-year history with 34 days at sea during her maiden deployment, and just before the New Year she surpassed 100,000 Nautical Miles traveled over her lifetime.
UNIT 100119 BOX 1 FPO AP 96691 USS Manchester (LCS 14) Gold 3395 STURTEVANT ST. BUILDING 57 SAN DIEGO, CA 92136-5049