The christening of a ship is when she is given her name. There is a big ceremony when a person affiliated to the ship is present to officially give her a name and break a bottle of campaign on her bow.

Ships had been christened since ancient times. Rome, Greece, and Egypt held ceremonies to thank the gods for the ship and to ask fro protection of its sailors from the dangers of the sea. There is even a story dating back to 3000BC dealing with a ships launching.

Different methods have been used over the years for christening ships. Water was used for the longest time and the event held deep religious meaning for a very long time.

During the Middle Ages monks would board a ship and bless each part of it. They would also sprinkle holy water around the ship as they did so. When they had finished they would hoist a pennant and the ship slid into the water.

During the 18th century a christening liquid was used during the ceremony. For a time the United States used water from special rivers to pour across the hull when the ship was named. Other countries used wine, beer, and Champaign.

Over time it has become custom for a female to christen every ship, or sponsor. The custom now includes a bottle of campaign breaking against the hull of the ship. If the bottle does not break the ship is fated to have a life full of bad luck.

Today in the US it is customary to have a close female relative be the sponsor of the ship being named. In a loud voice she will state, “In the name of the United States, I christen thee, ________.” Then the bottle is broken over her bow and she slides into the water for the first time.

This even it taken very seriously by all those involved. Many a christening has started with some omen for the ship and it’s up coming life. During the christening of the Maine in 1890 the secretary of the Navy was sprayed with the Champaign from the broken bottle. Some sailors claim this doomed the ship to a life of bad luck.

Shortly there after Queen Victoria was to christen a new warship for the Royal Navy. She stood on the platform and pressed a button. The bottle of Champaign crashed into the ships bow. As the ship slid down the ways into the water she spoke “I name thee Royal Arthur."

In December of 2007 during the christening of Cunards newest luxury ocean liner, The Queen Victoria, the bottle did not break and the ship was not properly christened. On her maiden voyage many guests came down with viral stomach problems.

Even during the movie Caddy Shack. Ted Night’s character was christening his small boat. The bottle did not break and soon Rodney Dangerfield dropped his anchor into Ted’s boat. Wonderful scene!!