Vessel launch ceremony

In ancient times when people would only recognize storms as anger of the god of the sea, a ceremony to launch a new vessel in the sea was a sincere and desperate ritual to pray nature to help protect lives. They needed a courteous ceremony, whether it was to gain full load of fish, or to secure victories in all naval battles. This is the origin of vessel launch ceremony. Cutting off launching tape linked to dock on land is likened to cutting the umbilical cord linking a new life with the motherhood. Probably for this reason, the host of a launch ceremony is a woman in most countries of the world. The word “ship” is also a feminine noun.

The first battleship launch ceremony officiated by a woman dates back to the Queen Victorian era of Britain in the early 19th century. The U.S., which follows European tradition, also held the launch ceremony for artillery ship Concord hosted by a woman in 1827. The identity of this woman remains unknown because it was only referred to as “a young woman from Portsmouth.” Records suggest that only 19 years later in 1846 Lavina Watson, a daughter of a celebrity from Philadelphia, launched the navy ship “Germantown.” Japan does not seem to insist on having women host a vessel launch ceremony. The island country has tradition of cutting the tape with a silver ax, which is said to bring about luck.

Another must-see activity at a launch ceremony is a ritual to break a bottle containing “liquid” at the bow section. Traditionally, red wine was used, but other variety including whiskies and brandies have oftentimes been used as well. Records suggest that saline water or river water from the area where the ship was built was also used. Since the 20th century, however, champagne is the preferred choice. While red wine symbolizes paying tribute, champagne is believed to mean blessing.

On Tuesday, President Park Geun-hye hosted a launch ceremony for the first time in her capacity as the commander-in-chief. She ended the practice of past events, in which the wife of a president, defense minister or Navy Chief of Staff hosted a launch ceremony. Park looked experienced. She seemed to reinstate her memory of hosting a ceremony to launch a crude oil tanker in Spain 41 years ago, when she was 20 years old. A 1,800 ton-class submarine, named after General Kim Jwa-jin, the hero of Cheongsanni Battle during Japan’s colonial rule of Korea, is set to defend Korea’s territorial waters from Tuesday. The submarine is capable of engaging in underwater operation for two weeks without emerging from undersea, and can take roundtrip journey to as far away as Hawaii without refueling. It is hoped that the ship will secure wins in all battles it engages in.

Editorial writer Ha Tae-won (triplets@donga.com)