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.
