LAKE MICHIGAN (Aug. 25, 2017) The future littoral combat ship USS Little Rock (LCS 9) is underway during a high-speed run in Lake Michigan during acceptance trials. She was born on the Lakes and, though commissioned more than three months ago, has been trapped in Canadian waters over the winter. (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin/Released)
Looks like the Navy is finally going to get their latest littoral combat ship in to some saltwater. While the Freedom-class littoral combat ship USS Little Rock (LCS-9) was commissioned in Buffalo, New York 16 Dec 2017, she has been iced in at Montreal ever since. But that is going to change.
An American warship stuck in Montreal since Christmas Eve has finally resumed its trip to its home port in Florida, the U.S. Navy confirmed on Saturday.
The USS Little Rock was commissioned in Buffalo, N.Y., on Dec. 16 but was trapped by ice at the Port of Montreal less than two weeks into its maiden voyage.
A spokesperson for the Navy said officials decided to wait until weather conditions improved before allowing the ship to continue its journey to Mayport, Fla., out of concern for the safety of the ship and crew.
Lt. Cmdr. Courtney Hillson confirmed the ship finally left the city early on Saturday after spending more than three months in Montreal.
It is expected to arrive in Florida early next month after making several port visits along the way.