Former Hawaii Superferries given new names
The former Hawaii Superferries Alakai and Huakai have some new geography associated with their names.
Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced Tuesday their new monikers: the USNS Guam and the USNS Puerto Rico.
The selection of the name Guam "honors the long-standing historical and military relationship between Guam and the United States," the Pentagon said in a news release.
In 1898 the United States acquired the island from Spain as a result of the Treaty of Paris, which ended the Spanish-American War, the Pentagon said. Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese captured Guam, which they occupied until U.S. troops retook the island July 21, 1944.
"Guam continues to host many of the United States’ critical military installations in the Pacific Ocean," the Defense Department noted.
Don't miss out on what's happening!
Stay in touch with top news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It's FREE!
Selection of the name Puerto Rico reflects the association of Puerto Rico and the United States, which dates back to 1898 when Spain ceded control of the island, also in the Treaty of Paris, the Pentagon said.
