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Isn't it called launching a ship when the Queen whacks it with a magnum?

soweit ich weiss! =o)

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... "ship" sagt man ja wohl nicht zum U-Boot

"launch" ist der Stapellauf. Nicht notwendigerweise dasselbe.

hab ich voll überlesen!

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I didn't pay close enough attention to the U-Boot there, but I'd still say that the same applies to submarines as with ships. In the above article it is clear that the "christening" is the act of HRH swinging her champagne at the ship. As this, however, is usually (or always?) done merely moments before the ship hits the water I would argue for "launch".
Because: In germany people attend the Schiffstaufe, placing emphasis on the "christening" of the ship in form of a flamboyant libation.
But in the UK, and US as I'd imagine, people attend the lauch, part of which the christening is a notable component.
In other words, I've never heard the Queen christening a ship, only launching it. I'm no expert in maritime matters, so I may be wrong. Anyone from Plymouth or Kiel got any suggestions?

Naming - Ceremony AKER CS 2700 "Posen", Wismar 24th August 2007

Bei der Taufe eines Containerschiffs in Wismar gab die Werft Erinnerungskarten mit Photos heraus. Darauf stand nicht "Schiffstaufe", sondern "Naming - Ceremony". Da sie dort so um die 20 Schiffstaufen im Jahr haben, könnte ich mir vorstellen, daß dies ein zur Zeit gebräuchlicher Begriff ist.

some of my family were in the royal navy and we lived near portsmouth, so have had severel experiences regarding the launching of a ship (which includes having the ship (or also submarine) named (all be it, that this is many, many, many years back!). I cannot remember ever having heard "christening" -> after all, a christening ceremony is something for people who enter into gods church.
i would always say lauching /launching ceremony

sorry - getting my brackets all mixed up here!!