Mechanical failure keeps troubled LPD at pier

[unhappycamper]

A broken stern gate kept the amphibious transport dock San Antonio from deploying Tuesday, but the Navy officials say repairs to the ship should allow it to leave later this week.


Mechanical failure keeps troubled LPD at pier
By Andrew Scutro - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Aug 27, 2008 17:35:11 EDT

NORFOLK, Va. — Hydraulic problems have delayed the maiden deployment the amphibious transport dock San Antonio, which was supposed to leave Tuesday with the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group.

The ship, which has endured lengthy delays and cost overruns, had to stay back in Norfolk due to a broken stern gate that will take days to repair, said Lt. Cmdr. Herb Josey, spokesman for Naval Surface Force Atlantic.

The amphibious assault ship Iwo Jima left the pier at 11 a.m. without San Antonio and is headed to North Carolina to onload the rest of the Camp Lejeune-based 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Capt. Brian Smith, Amphibious Squadron 4 commander, said the problem with San Antonio was discovered Sunday and he expects the new amphib — the lead ship of the LPD 17 class — to be repaired and outbound by the end of this week.

“There is nothing that will keep San Antonio from getting underway,” he said. The problem is a mechanical failure in a ram cylinder piston that controls the stern gate, he said, crucial for conducting well-deck operations, an amphib’s very reason for existence.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/08/navy_sanantonio_082608w/%2e



uhc comment: Is that rust I see in that pic? Isn't it a bit early to have brand spanking new ships rust?