September is International Underground Railroad Month. September was chosen because it was the month that Frederick Douglass (September 3, 1838) and Harriet Tubman (September 17, 1849) made their escape from bondage.
On September 17, 2023, the Navy announced it will name the ninth John Lewis-class oiler after Harriet Tubman. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro said:
It’s an honor to maintain the naming tradition for our John Lewis-class oilers and Harriet Tubman is more than deserving of this recognition. She was born into unimaginable circumstances, but she dedicated her life to facing great danger and adversity, becoming a “conductor of freedom,” helping others escape slavery. In addition, during the Civil War, Tubman was the first African American woman to serve formally in the military. Her legacy deserves our nation’s continued recognition, and our fleet benefits from having her name emblazoned on the hull of one of our great ships.
The USNS Harriet Tubman is the ninth ship of this class of oilers. The class and lead ship is named in honor of civil rights icon John Lewis. This will be the second vessel named after Tubman. The first was a Liberty Ship, SS Harriet Tubman, built during World War II.
The USNS Harriet Tubman will give new meaning to “wade in the water.”
