Navy Names Newest Destroyer

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.