The U.S.S. Freedom (LCS 1) is shown during day one of the ship's builders' trials on July 28, 2008. On April 14, the U.S. Navy said it would "christen and launch" the latest Freedom-variant LCS, or Littoral Combat Ship, which would be known as the U.S.S. Cleveland (LCS 31).LOCKHEED MARTIN/GETTY IMAGES
A new U.S. Navy warship appeared to collide with a tugboat during a "dramatic" launch of the vessel.
The U.S. Navy said on Friday that it would "christen and launch" the latest Freedom-variant LCS, or Littoral Combat Ship, which would be known as the U.S.S. Cleveland (LCS 31). The ship launched at 10 a.m. local time on Saturday at the Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard in Wisconsin. It was the last scheduled side launch of a ship at the Wisconsin shipyard before a ship lift system is put in place, according to the Navy.
In footage purportedly showing the event, the new LCS appears to collide with the tugboat that aided the launch. Amid cheers, the boats slowly take off, only for the U.S.S. Cleveland to immediately tilt to the side and send a wave crashing over the tugboat. It's unclear if the warship slammed into the tugboat, or if it was sent backward because of the force of the wave.
A U.S. Navy spokesperson told Newsweek that "during the launch of the future USS Cleveland (LCS 31) on April 15, 2023 at Fincantieri Marinette Marine (FMM) in Marinette, Wisconsin, unintentional contact occurred between the ship and a supporting tug." READ MORE...
