BATH, Maine – The U.S. Navy is christening the first ship of its newest class of destroyers.
The 610-foot warship bearing the late Adm. Elmo "Bud" Zumwalt's name will be christened Saturday with a bottle of Champagne across its bow by his two daughters at Maine's Bath Iron Works, where it's being built.
The Zumwalt, the Navy's largest destroyer, features advanced technology that'll allow it to utilize half the crew of existing destroyers. Its stealthy design is aimed at helping the 15,000-ton warship look like a small fishing boat on enemy radars.
Among those attending Saturday's ceremony are Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, Gov. Paul LePage and members of Maine's congressional delegation. The Navy expects the ship to be ready for duty by 2016.