A Sneak Peek at USS St. Louis: Centuries of Service

Published on September 21, 2021

USS St. Louis: Centuries of Service tells the stories of the many ships that have used our city’s name over the last 200 years. Full of surprises, triumphs, and defeats, this documentary explains the rich history behind the USS St. Louis. Stories include pirate battles, christenings, and an escape from Pearl Harbor.

For a look at some of the amazing stories included in the film, check out the videos below. USS St. Louis: Centuries of Service airs September 27 at 7 pm on Nine PBS and will be available for streaming after the broadcast on the PBS Video App.

The USS St. Louis’s Fight with Pirates

The first ship named after our city fought against one of the major threats of its time: pirates. To protect U.S. commerce, this “Sloop of War” would escort ships and defend them against pirates. Later, the ship helped suppress the slave trade in Africa and rescued British colonists during a war in New Zealand.

The USS St. Louis Escapes Pearl Harbor

The most well-known USS St. Louis ship is the “Lucky Lou." One of the most decorated warships of all time, this ship made its debut during the attacks on Pearl Harbor. The Lucky Lou was the only ship to make it out of the harbor with no casualties.

What is a Littoral Combat Ship?

A littoral combat ship is designed to have the function of three different naval ships in one. This new, high-tech ship can take about four years to build. Take a look at the newest USS St. Louis as it practices firing and traverses the open sea.

USS St. Louis Christening and Launch

One of the most exciting parts of a sponsor’s duty is the christening and launch of a ship. The ship's sponsor, Barbara Broadhurst Taylor, shared her experience of breaking a bottle over the newest USS St. Louis. The ship entered the water with a jaw-dropping side launch, leaving the ship bobbing from side to side in the water.

U.S. Navy Ship Sponsorship

The women chosen to sponsor a Navy ship are crew members for life, and their responsibilities are much more than breaking champagne bottles. At age 17, Nancy Lee Morrell became the sponsor of one of the most decorated U.S. Navy warships of all time, the “Lucky Lou”.