![A crowd gathers prior to the christening ceremony for the...]()
Kaitlin McKeown / Daily Press
A crowd gathers prior to the christening ceremony for the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford on Saturday at the north yard of Newport News Shipbuilding.
![Lt. Kirsten Davis holds her seven-month-old daughter Aurora Davis before...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Lt. Kirsten Davis holds her seven-month-old daughter Aurora Davis before the start of the christening of the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford at Newport News Shipbuilding on Saturday.
![Ship sponsor Susan Ford Bales shakes hands with sailors who...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
Ship sponsor Susan Ford Bales shakes hands with sailors who re-enlisted this morning in the north yard of Newport News Shipbuilding.
![A young girl rests during the christening ceremony for the...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
A young girl rests during the christening ceremony for the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford in the north yard of Newport News Shipbuilding on Saturday.
![December 19, 1952. Newport News shipyard workmen knock one of...]()
Daily Press archive /
December 19, 1952. Newport News shipyard workmen knock one of the shorings from beneath the hull of the 562-foot North Dakota preliminary to launching of the speedy new tanker this morning at he Newport News shipyard. The work of removing the shoring is one of the seldom seen operations at a vessel's launching, but the chant sung by the workmen as they go about their task is traditional.
![Thousands attend the christening ceremony for the aircraft carrier Gerald...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
Thousands attend the christening ceremony for the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford at Newport News Shipbuilding on Saturday.
![Shipyard workers 9/28/1941]()
Daily Press archive /
Shipyard workers 9/28/1941
![Susan Ford Bales christens the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
Susan Ford Bales christens the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford with the bottle break.
![Crowds of people move through the yard in preparation for...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
Crowds of people move through the yard in preparation for the Christening of the Gerald R. Ford Saturday. Predictions were for approximatley 20,000 people to attend the event.
![Sponsor Susan Ford Bales speaks during the christening ceremony for...]()
Kaitlin McKeown / Daily Press
Sponsor Susan Ford Bales speaks during the christening ceremony for the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford on Saturday in Newport News.
![The aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford rests in the dry...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
The aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford rests in the dry dock 12 at Newport News Shipbuilding. The ship is the first of a new class of aircraft carrier.
![Workers near the Washington Avenue gate at lunchtime, taken mid...]()
Daily Press archive /
Workers near the Washington Avenue gate at lunchtime, taken mid to late 1970s.
![Visitors file into Newport Shipbuilding for the Ford Christening.]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
Visitors file into Newport Shipbuilding for the Ford Christening.
![May 26, 1975 A crew works near the dry dock.]()
Daily Press archive /
May 26, 1975 A crew works near the dry dock.
![Pour of strut casting, 10/14/1980]()
Daily Press archive/courtesy New /
Pour of strut casting, 10/14/1980
![Thousands of people watch the christening of the aircraft carrier...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Thousands of people watch the christening of the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford at Newport News Shipbuilding on Saturday.
![Donald Rumsfeld speaks during the christening ceremony for the aircraft...]()
Kaitlin McKeown / Daily Press
Donald Rumsfeld speaks during the christening ceremony for the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford on Saturday in Newport News.
![Personnel, September 1, 1978.]()
Daily Press archive/Herb Barnes /
Personnel, September 1, 1978.
![Sailor Nicholas Work looks to find his seat to watch...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Sailor Nicholas Work looks to find his seat to watch the christening of the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford at Newport News Shipbuilding on Saturday.
![Laid-off workers leave yard, employees bid a quiet good bye....]()
Daily Press archive /
Laid-off workers leave yard, employees bid a quiet good bye. Here, Art McIntosh. Daily Press 3-24-92 page B4.
![Susan Ford Bales, right, cheers after christening the aircraft carrier...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Susan Ford Bales, right, cheers after christening the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford at Newport News Shipbuilding on Saturday. Standing from left are John F. Meier, commanding officer of the ship, Sen. Carl Levin, and president of Newport News Shipbuilding Matt Mulherin.
![The stage is seen during Media Day for the christening...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
The stage is seen during Media Day for the christening of the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford held at the north yard of Newport News Shipbuilding.
![Susan Ford Bales, right, laughs after christening the aircraft carrier...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Susan Ford Bales, right, laughs after christening the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford at Newport News Shipbuilding on Saturday with, from left, John F. Meier, commanding officer of the ship, Sen. Carl Levin, and president of Newport News Shipbuilding Matt Mulherin.
![Workers leave shipyard a few minutes after 4:00 p.m. on...]()
Daily Press archive/Scott Kingsl /
Workers leave shipyard a few minutes after 4:00 p.m. on October 10, 1991. View is from the roof of restaurant across the streeet.
![Union members and television reporters Andy Fox, Nate Custer in...]()
Daily Press archive/Adrin Snider /
Union members and television reporters Andy Fox, Nate Custer in 1987.
![Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney stand during the National Anthem...]()
Kaitlin McKeown / Daily Press
Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney stand during the National Anthem at the christening ceremony for the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford on Saturday at the north yard of Newport News Shipbuilding.
![Shipyard employee Margo Scicchitano holds a commemorative button prior to...]()
Kaitlin McKeown / Daily Press
Shipyard employee Margo Scicchitano holds a commemorative button prior to the christening ceremony for the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford on Saturday at the north yard of Newport News Shipbuilding.
![August 1, 1992, Page A1. Newport News Shipbuilding employees Roger...]()
Daily Press archive /
August 1, 1992, Page A1. Newport News Shipbuilding employees Roger Eason, left, and Bert Etheridge read the letter notifying employees of layoff plans Friday.
![The bow of the CVN - Ford is seen during...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
The bow of the CVN - Ford is seen during Media Day for the christening of the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford at the north yard of Newport News Shipbuilding.
![Stuart Gilman is repairing a 29-foot, 67-ton propeller. Ran in...]()
Daily Press archive /
Stuart Gilman is repairing a 29-foot, 67-ton propeller. Ran in Times-Herald 10/30/76 page 6.
![January 8, 1992. About 1000 salaried workers will be laid...]()
Daily Press archive/Buddy Norris /
January 8, 1992. About 1000 salaried workers will be laid off by Newport News Shipbuilding by the end of March, the Company told workers in a letter distributed Wednesday afternoon. Shipyard president W.R. Phillips assured hourly wage earners in his letter that "no reduction in roll beyond what will occur by normal attrition is planned". Hourly worker S. Lassiter reads the letter after getting off work.
![Gate at 46th Street and Washington Avenue. Yard plans more...]()
Daily Press archive /
Gate at 46th Street and Washington Avenue. Yard plans more layoffs, 7-22-1992.
![November 14, 1986. Still employed workers leaving rush to read...]()
Daily Press archive/Dennis Tenna /
November 14, 1986. Still employed workers leaving rush to read more about layoffs.
![U.S.S. Texas battleship at the Newport News shipyard . Daily...]()
Daily Press
U.S.S. Texas battleship at the Newport News shipyard . Daily Press archive
![Sign outside a T.V. and Stereo shop along Washington Ave.]()
Daily Press archive/Michael D. A /
Sign outside a T.V. and Stereo shop along Washington Ave.
![Yard workers holding breath, Daily Press 12-22-91 page A1. Ronnie...]()
Daily Press archive/Adrin Snider /
Yard workers holding breath, Daily Press 12-22-91 page A1. Ronnie Nelson of Newport News sits in Tops Restaurant in downtown Newport News during the lunchtime break Friday prior to the start of Christmas break at the shipyard.
![Susan Ford Bales, right, looks up after christening the aircraft...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Susan Ford Bales, right, looks up after christening the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford at Newport News Shipbuilding on Saturday. To the left is president of Newport News Shipbuilding Matt Mulherin.
![Susan Ford Bales, right, cheers after christening the aircraft carrier...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Susan Ford Bales, right, cheers after christening the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford at Newport News Shipbuilding on Saturday. Standing from left are John F. Meier, commanding officer of the ship, Sen. Carl Levin, and president of Newport News Shipbuilding Matt Mulherin.
![The Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipyard as seen Wednesday, July...]()
Diane Mathews, Daily Press
The Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipyard as seen Wednesday, July 14, 2010.
![Mrs. William Franke, wife of the Secretary of the Navy,...]()
Daily Press archive / Daily Press
Mrs. William Franke, wife of the Secretary of the Navy, smashes a bottle of champagne against the bow of the USS Enterprise during christening ceremonies in Newport News Sept. 24, 1960.
![David Hicks, a 15-year employee, leaves work for the last...]()
Daily Press archive /
David Hicks, a 15-year employee, leaves work for the last time Tuesday. Year's layoffs end as workers leave for murky future. Daily Press 10-14-92 page B6.
![Washington Ave. 1/10/92]()
Daily Press archive /
Washington Ave. 1/10/92
![Yard gives 850 bad news, Daily Press 1/25/92 Page A1....]()
Daily Press archive/Kenneth Silv /
Yard gives 850 bad news, Daily Press 1/25/92 Page A1. J.T. Ferree, right, waits for fellow shipyard worker Pam Ortiz, 30, of Gloucester, to sign a paper after he carried a box containing her belongings and placed it in the trunk of her car. Ortiz was laid off from her job as a cost manager. She is six months pregnant and had worked at the yard for four and a half years. Ortiz and Ferree work in the same department.
![War effort brought boom to Peninsula; workers outside the shipyard...]()
Daily Press archive /
War effort brought boom to Peninsula; workers outside the shipyard in September 1941.
![The unemployed early shift, against wall, are passed by the...]()
Daily Press archive/Dennis Tenna /
The unemployed early shift, against wall, are passed by the second shift on their way in to find out about their jobs.
![June 1983. Lunchbreak on 37th Strret.]()
Daily Press archive/Michael D. A /
June 1983. Lunchbreak on 37th Strret.
![A pay day in 1939 when employment was mounting in...]()
Daily Press archive /
A pay day in 1939 when employment was mounting in the pre- World War II period. This picture was made prior to November 1, 1939, as it was about that time the Navy Building was begun on the grass plot shown in the right background.
![8/31/1972. These welders are women, one of 1972's additions to...]()
Daily Press archive/courtesy New /
8/31/1972. These welders are women, one of 1972's additions to the yard.
![Shipyard workers Stephan Gilliland and John Gies make some last...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
Shipyard workers Stephan Gilliland and John Gies make some last minute touch-ups to the bow break bar for Saturday's christening of the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford.
![1-17-1976 Shipyard workers getting unemployment benefits. (Va. Nat. Guard Armory)]()
Daily Press archive /
1-17-1976 Shipyard workers getting unemployment benefits. (Va. Nat. Guard Armory)
![Section of steel fabrication shops where wood cars for the...]()
Daily Press archive/courtesy New /
Section of steel fabrication shops where wood cars for the Seaboard Airlines Railway Co. are made. 6/9/1948.
![November 6, 1952. At the 37th Street gate, workers are...]()
Daily Press archive /
November 6, 1952. At the 37th Street gate, workers are let out at noon to vote.
![Men try to get out of the rain. January, 1991.]()
Daily Press archive /
Men try to get out of the rain. January, 1991.
![Employees leaving the yard in April 1919.]()
Daily Press archive /
Employees leaving the yard in April 1919.
![Daily Press 3-22-92 page A6. Loss of rank "like a...]()
Daily Press archive/Adrin Snider /
Daily Press 3-22-92 page A6. Loss of rank "like a death in the family", a shipyard worker hugs his wife after his return to tools from a management job.
![Upper Washington Avenue, January 26, 1979.]()
Daily Press archive/Herb Barnes /
Upper Washington Avenue, January 26, 1979.
![Personnel, September 1, 1978.]()
Daily Press archive/Herb Barnes /
Personnel, September 1, 1978.
![Workers, probably around 1940.]()
Daily Press archive /
Workers, probably around 1940.
![Boy Scouts from local troops do a walk-through during Media...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
Boy Scouts from local troops do a walk-through during Media Day for the christening of the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford at the north yard of Newport News Shipbuilding.
![Dawsun Smith, left, of Otsego, Michigan holds an American flag...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Dawsun Smith, left, of Otsego, Michigan holds an American flag with other members of Boy Scout Troop 98 as people file in to watch the christening of the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford at Newport News Shipbuilding on Saturday.
![Traffic backs up on Warwick Blvd. Saturday morning to enter...]()
Adrin Snider/Daily Press
Traffic backs up on Warwick Blvd. Saturday morning to enter Newport News Shipbuilding for the christening of the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford.
![June 16, 1983. Shipyard workers employ a lawn in the...]()
Daily Press archive/David Bowman /
June 16, 1983. Shipyard workers employ a lawn in the 300 block of 68th Street as a resting place while they await rides.
![April 16, 1968. Ram gang goes to work beneath glistening...]()
Daily Press archive/courtesy New /
April 16, 1968. Ram gang goes to work beneath glistening hulk of a new vessel.
![The bow of the CVN - Ford is seen during...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
The bow of the CVN - Ford is seen during Media Day for the christening of the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford at the north yard of Newport News Shipbuilding.
![Thousands attend the christening ceremony for the aircraft carrier Gerald...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
Thousands attend the christening ceremony for the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford at Newport News Shipbuilding on Saturday.
![Ship sponsor Susan Ford Bales talks with the media during...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
Ship sponsor Susan Ford Bales talks with the media during Media Day for the christening of the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford at the north yard of Newport News Shipbuilding.
![Susan Ford Bales, right, tastes the sparkling wine after christening...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Susan Ford Bales, right, tastes the sparkling wine after christening the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford at Newport News Shipbuilding on Saturday. To the left is president of Newport News Shipbuilding Matt Mulherin.
![Willy Johnson waits before the christening of the aircraft carrier...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Willy Johnson waits before the christening of the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford at Newport News Shipbuilding on Saturday.
![Times Herald March 19, 1974. Mrs. Frances Williams works toward...]()
Daily Press archive/Jim Livengoo /
Times Herald March 19, 1974. Mrs. Frances Williams works toward electrician status.
![On the express bus, shipyard guard Charles Meider distributes timecards...]()
Daily Press archive /
On the express bus, shipyard guard Charles Meider distributes timecards to workers. Times-Herald 8-2-71
![Thousands attend the christening ceremony for the aircraft carrier Gerald...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
Thousands attend the christening ceremony for the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford at Newport News Shipbuilding on Saturday.
![The bow of the CVN - Ford is seen during...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
The bow of the CVN - Ford is seen during Media Day for the christening of the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford at the north yard of Newport News Shipbuilding.
![March 19, 1977. From 50th St. down Washington St. south....]()
Daily Press archive/Kenneth Silv /
March 19, 1977. From 50th St. down Washington St. south. The Shipyard is having a six-day work week.
![Traffic enters Newport News Shipbuilding for the Ford Christening early...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
Traffic enters Newport News Shipbuilding for the Ford Christening early Saturday.
![Knocking out shoring for launching of ship.]()
Daily Press archive/courtesy R.L /
Knocking out shoring for launching of ship.
![Ship sponsor Susan Ford Bales at the Media Day for...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
Ship sponsor Susan Ford Bales at the Media Day for the christening of the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford to be held at the north yard of Newport News Shipbuilding on Saturday.
![Confetti rains down at the close of the christening ceremony...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
Confetti rains down at the close of the christening ceremony for the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford on Saturday.
![The aircraft carrier Ford rises from the dry dock at...]()
Adrin Snider / Daily Press
The aircraft carrier Ford rises from the dry dock at Newport News Shipbuilding on Jan. 26, 2012, in this view from the James River Bridge.
![Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert shakes hands with...]()
Kaitlin McKeown / Daily Press
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert shakes hands with sponsor Susan Ford Bales following the christening of the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford on Saturday in Newport News.
![The new carrier, CVN 79, at the Newport News shipyard...]()
Adrin Snider, Daily Press
The new carrier, CVN 79, at the Newport News shipyard is about to get its first steel cutting Friday.
![Dominic Olivo, 8, has his face painted prior to Saturday's...]()
Kaitlin McKeown / Daily Press
Dominic Olivo, 8, has his face painted prior to Saturday's christening ceremony for the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford in Newport News.
![One worker leaves with personal belongings bagged up. Filed November...]()
Daily Press archive/Dennis Tenna /
One worker leaves with personal belongings bagged up. Filed November 14, 1986.
![The noon whistle blows and a steady stream of workers...]()
Daily Press archive /
The noon whistle blows and a steady stream of workers pours down the ramp leading from the battleship Indiana buildingways.This photo looks to be around 1940.
![Alexis Huggins, 10, plays along with the band before the...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
Alexis Huggins, 10, plays along with the band before the christening ceremony for the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford at Newport News Shipbuilding on Saturday.
![Pour of strut casting, 10/14/1980]()
Daily Press archive/courtesy New /
Pour of strut casting, 10/14/1980
![Crowds of people file in to watch the christening of...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Crowds of people file in to watch the christening of the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford at Newport News Shipbuilding on Saturday.
![Susan Ford Bales, right, wipes sparkling wine off of president...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Susan Ford Bales, right, wipes sparkling wine off of president of Newport News Shipbuilding Matt Mulherin, right, after christening the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford at Newport News Shipbuilding on Saturday.
![Workers near the Washington Avenue gate at lunchtime, taken mid...]()
Daily Press archive /
Workers near the Washington Avenue gate at lunchtime, taken mid to late 1970s.
![Ship sponsor Susan Ford Bales will read these words posted...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
Ship sponsor Susan Ford Bales will read these words posted on the bow before striking the bottle to christen the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford on Saturday.
![A young girl tries to stay warm as guests arrive...]()
Kaitlin McKeown / Daily Press
A young girl tries to stay warm as guests arrive prior to the christening ceremony for the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford on Saturday at the north yard of Newport News Shipbuilding.
![Crowds enter Newport News Shipbuilding early Saturday for the Christening...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
Crowds enter Newport News Shipbuilding early Saturday for the Christening of the Gerald R. Ford.
![The Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipyard as seen Wednesday, July...]()
Diane Mathews, Daily Press
The Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipyard as seen Wednesday, July 14, 2010.
![Sen. Carl Levin greets Mike Petters, President and CEO of...]()
Kaitlin McKeown / Daily Press
Sen. Carl Levin greets Mike Petters, President and CEO of Huntington Ingalls Industries, at the christening ceremony for the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford on Saturday.
![(Left) Gov. Bob McDonnell, Donald Rumsfeld, Dick Cheney, Susan Ford...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
(Left) Gov. Bob McDonnell, Donald Rumsfeld, Dick Cheney, Susan Ford Bales and President of Newport News Shipbuilding Matt Mulherin arrive at the christening ceremony for the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford on Saturday.
![Lunch hour, 1919. (Note the ice cream truck in the...]()
Daily Press archive/courtesy Mar /
Lunch hour, 1919. (Note the ice cream truck in the middle of the photograph)
![Susan Ford Bales, right, christens the aircraft carrier Gerald R....]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Susan Ford Bales, right, christens the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford at Newport News Shipbuilding on Saturday. Standing from left are John F. Meier, commanding officer of the ship, Sen. Carl Levin, and president of Newport News Shipbuilding Matt Mulherin.
![Thousands attend the christening ceremony for the aircraft carrier Gerald...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
Thousands attend the christening ceremony for the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford at Newport News Shipbuilding on Saturday.
More than 700 Newport News Shipbuilding employees are set to be laid off Wednesday.
The job cuts were announced in December in a letter from shipyard President Matt Mulherin.
In early 2015, Mulherin said the shipyard planned to shed more than 1,500 jobs through 2016. The company laid off 480 workers in September, so the total now stands at 1,218.
“There is never a good time to make these reductions, and I know it is especially difficult to be notified just before the holidays,” Mulherin’s letter stated. “The decision for how and when to schedule layoffs is based on our workload, and only after all other options have been exhausted.”
“My hope is that these shipbuilders will consider coming back once our workload increases,” Mulherin said.
The drop in business is prompted by three aircraft carriers leaving the yard over a period of months.
Newport News will deliver the first-in-class Gerald R. Ford to the Navy sometime in the first half of 2016. The USS Abraham Lincoln is in the home stretch of a lengthy mid-life refueling. The third ship to depart will be the former USS Enterprise, which has been retired from active service and is being decommissioned.
The shipyard, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries, is Virginia’s largest industrial employer with more than 22,000 workers. The drop in work is considered temporary because other jobs are either planned or already ramping up.
Mulherin said the company is providing “benefits and transition assistance” for the 738 workers to help them find other jobs.
