Most expensive US destroyer breaks down in Canal

USS ZUMWALT  the  most expensive destroyer ever built for the US Navy, broke down in the Panama Canal on Monday Nov 21 and had to be towed to port.

U.S. Third Fleet spokesman Cmdr. Ryan Perry said a vice admiral directed the Zumwalt to remain at the former Rodman Naval Station in Panama to address the issues.

The ship was built at Bath Iron Works in Maine and was on its way to her new home port in San Diego reports La Prensa.

“The schedule for the ship will remain flexible to enable testing and evaluation in order to ensure the ship’s safe transit to San Diego,” Perry said in a statement.

USNI News, a publication of the U.S. Naval Institute, reported on its website that the ship was in the canal when it lost propulsion. Crew also saw water intrusion in bearings that connect electrical motors to drive shafts, the website reported.

USNI News also reported that the Zumwalt suffered minor cosmetic damage. The ship had been scheduled to arrive in San Diego by the end of the year to start the activation of its weapon system, the website said.