USS Cleveland LCS 31 Arrives in Cleveland Harbor
On the morning of May 9, 2026, I joined dozens of photographers gathered at Wendy Park near the Coast Guard station to witness the arrival of the USS Cleveland (LCS 31) as it made its way into Cleveland Harbor ahead of its official commissioning ceremony. Just in the area where I was photographing from, there were easily more than 50 photographers, many of them friends, all waiting to capture a once-in-a-lifetime moment for Cleveland and for naval history. Residents lined the shoreline from Vermilion to Cleveland while private boats formed a welcoming flotilla on Lake Erie as the vessel made its way toward the city.
As the massive warship approached the Cleveland Harbor Lighthouse and passed along the Lake Erie shoreline, I could not help feeling both excited and blessed to witness and photograph such a historic event. I hoped to capture images that, to some, might make a difference — photographs that not only document history, but also become meaningful commemorative artwork Clevelanders, veterans and naval enthusiasts would treasure for years to come. I also knew I had to create a commemorative poster honoring the occasion.
The USS Cleveland is the fourth United States Navy vessel to carry the city’s name and will officially enter active service during its commissioning ceremony on May 16 at North Coast Yard in Cleveland. The event marks the first time in our nation’s 250-year history that a United States Navy warship will be commissioned in the State of Ohio. A commissioning ceremony is one of the Navy’s most respected traditions, formally placing a vessel into active duty and recognizing the readiness of both the ship and its crew.
The USS Cleveland also represents the final Freedom-variant Littoral Combat Ship to be commissioned for the United States Navy. Built by Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Wisconsin, the ship was designed for high-speed coastal warfare operations and is capable of speeds exceeding 40 knots while supporting missions involving surface warfare, anti-submarine defense and mine countermeasures. Bearing the official call sign "NCLE," the USS Cleveland also reflects Northeast Ohio’s industrial and maritime heritage through the use of regional manufacturing support, Cleveland-produced steel incorporated during construction, and protective marine coatings supplied by Cleveland-based Sherwin-Williams.
One of the most fascinating details surrounding the ship is its official seal and crest featuring the motto “FORGE A LEGACY.” The emblem incorporates a silhouette of the Cleveland skyline, four stars representing the four Navy vessels named for Cleveland, and symbolic references to Lake Erie, the Cuyahoga River, Cleveland Public Square, the city’s industrial strength, and Cleveland’s world-renowned hospitals, museums and universities. The crest’s sixteen sun rays honor the USS Cleveland as the sixteenth Freedom-class littoral combat ship. Even more meaningful is the long-term vision behind the motto itself — that after 20 to 25 years of active service, the ship could someday return to Cleveland as a memorial and museum honoring its service and legacy.
All of these photographs, along with the commemorative poster artwork, are now available on my website. Some will also become part of my America 250 Collection honoring important moments, places and symbols connected to our nation’s upcoming semiquincentennial celebration.
Explore the collection at DaleKincaid.com - USS Cleveland
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