The US Navy's largest-ever destroyer has suffered a setback in its journey to its new homeport. The Commander, Naval Surface Forces, US Pacific issued a statement today that the future USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) suffered an "engineering casualty" shortly after leaving Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. No one was reported injured and the guided-missile destroyer suffered only minor damage, but was forced to return to Norfolk for assessment and repair.
According to the Navy, the Zumwalt's crew found a seawater leak in one of the two drive shafts' propulsion motor drive lube oil auxiliary system. This is one of a number of redundant systems that are designed to let the ship continue to function with multiple malfunctions and configurations.
The Navy says that such incidents are normal in first-of-class ships during their run-in periods, but the Zumwalt will remain at Naval Station Norfolk until repairs are completed before resuming training and certification operations. If the repairs can be completed in time, the Zumwalt will proceed to Baltimore for commissioning on October 15, before steaming for is new homeport in San Diego, California.
Source: US Navy