Maine

New US Navy Destroyer Zumwalt Christened at BIW

Maine Public | By Associated Press

Published April 15, 2014 at 3:22 PM EDT

A crowd gathered at the christening of the new US Navy Destroyer Zumwalt at the BIW shipyard in Bath on April 12, 2014. (File)

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A Large crowd gathered to see the USS Zumwalt christened at Bath Iron Works on Saturday, April 12, 2014.

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The bow of the USS Zumwalt tied up in the Kennbec River in Bath.

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The US flag displaed on the USS Zumwalt.

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The USS Zumwalt is 90% complete and sea trials are scheduled to commence next spring.

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A close-up of the bow on the USS Zumwalt showing the waterline markings.

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The first-of-its-kind 155 mm gun that is a part of the USS Zumwalt's arament is visible. This weapon is reported to be capable of shooting GPS-guided ammunition at targets more than 60 miles away.

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An Unidentified Retired Seaman (possibly Ret. Marine Corps Lt. Col. James G. Zumwalt, son of the Adm. Zumwalt for whom the USS Zumwalt is named) kicks-off the ceremony with an official US Naval whistle blast

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Ann Zumwalt and Mouzetta Zumwalt-Weathers christened the 610-foot-long ship named for their father from a lofty perch.

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Daughters of Adm. Zumwalt christen the DDG-1000 class destroyer

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The gathered dignitaries applaud the christening of the USS Zumwalt.

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Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus (middle, blue tie, blue suit) approaches the USS Zumwalt during the christening ceremony.

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A close-up of Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus

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Maine Governor Paul LePage (R.) addresses the crowd during the USS Zumwalt christening ceremonies.

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U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R.) addresses the crowd during the USS Zumwalt christening ceremonies.

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U.S. Senator Angus King (I.) addresses the crowd during the USS Zumwalt christening ceremonies.

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U.S. Representative Mike Michaud (D.) addresses the crowd during the USS Zumwalt christening ceremonies.

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U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree (D.) addresses the crowd during the USS Zumwalt christening ceremonies.

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BATH, Maine (AP) _ The U.S. Navy has christened the first ship of its newest class of destroyers, a 610-foot-long warship with advanced technologies and a stealthy design that will reduce its visibility on enemy radars.

The warship bears the name of the late Adm. Elmo "Bud" Zumwalt, who became the nation's youngest chief of naval operations and is hailed as a reformer who spearheaded changes that helped minorities and women advance in their careers.

The Zumwalt, which will be the Navy's largest destroyer, was christened Saturday at Maine's Bath Iron Works with a smash of bottles of Champagne against its bow by his two daughters.

The Zumwalt is the first of three in its class to be built. It will be able to go to sea with half the crew of existing destroyers.