Tidbits about the USS Utah

An exhibit of the USS Utah is on display on the fourth floor of the Utah Capitol through Dec. 23 in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of her launch.

About the Utah:

In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt announced the construction of the ship in an address at the Salt Lake Tabernacle.

On Dec. 23, 1909, the ship was launched with the words, "I christen thee Utah! Godspeed!," by Mary Alice Spry, the 18-year-old daughter of Utah Gov. William Spry.

Schoolchildren were asked to donate up to 10 cents to help cover the cost of a "fitting" silver service to be used by officers and guests of the ship. They raised $2,277 and the Legislature covered the rest of the $10,000 cost.

The state of Utah formally adopted Peter Tomich, a Congressional Medal of Honor winner who gave his life to save fellow crew members of the Utah. He had no living relatives, so the state was the guardian of his medal.

The Utah was the first ship attacked at Pearl Harbor, even though Japanese fighters were told to ignore her because of her status as a training ship.