Christening of destroyer delayed until spring because of shutdown
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said the USS Zumwalt was launched at Bath Iron Works today. The destroyer was floated off the BIW dry dock into the Kennebec River today and was tied up at the yard while work continues to complete construction.
"This is a big day for the men and women of BIW who have launched the most technologically advanced ship the Navy has ever built," Pingree said. "And they did it on time and on budget. This is another reminder of why BIW is home to the best ship builders in the world."
The Zumwalt is the largest destroyer the Navy has ever built, and first in its class. The ship is innovative, featuring electric propulsion and a design that makes it hard to detect on radar. Even though the ship is bigger than previous generation destroyers, it operates with a much smallercrew of 178.
Pingree says the christening, or naming ceremony, will take place in the spring.
"With the government shutdown it was impossible for the Navy to do what it needed to get the Zumwalt family to Bath and put on a christening ceremony," she said.
The ceremony in the spring will feature the two daughters of Admiral Elmo "Bud" Zumwalt, served on destroyers in World War II and was Chief of Naval Operations under President Nixon.
"Not only did Admiral Zumwalt serve bravely in combat, but as head of the Navy he fought to allow women to serve on ships and worked to overcome racial inequality in the service," Pingree said.
The Zumwalt is over 600' long, about 100' longer than the current class of destoryers.
