Special
release from the U.S. Department of Defense
Secretary of the Navy Gordon R. England has selected the
name Bainbridge for its newest destroyer, DDG 96. As the U.S.
Navy continues to recognize the 100th anniversary of the
development of the destroyer type of warship (1902-2002) the
Bainbridge will be a state of the art warship built at Bath Iron
Works, a General Dynamics Company in Maine.
In 1902 the Navy introduced its first destroyer DD-1, also
named Bainbridge. The new ship will honor the outstanding and
heroic service of Commodore William Bainbridge who served in the
Navy from 1789-1833. The U.S. Navy has previously named four
ships in honor of Bainbridge, including the 259 ton brig USS
Bainbridge (1842-1863), USS Bainbridge (Destroyer # 1),
1902-1920; another destroyer USS Bainbridge (DD-246), 1921-1945;
and the nuclear powered cruiser USS Bainbridge (DLGN-25, later
CGN-25), 1962-1997.
Bainbridge will be a Flight IIA variant of the Arleigh
Burke class guided-missile destroyer and incorporates a
helicopter hanger facility into the original design. The ship
can carry two SH-60B/R Helicopters. Guided-missile destroyers
operate independently and in conjunction with carrier battle
groups, surface action groups, amphibious groups and
replenishment groups.
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