December 18, 2022

The Navy on Saturday christened the future USS Augusta, the 17th futuristic, trimaran-hull littoral combat ship that will be based in San Diego.

Find out what’s happening in San Diegowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Ship sponsor Leigh I. Saufley, the former chief justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, performed the ceremonial bottle break over the bow at the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, AL.

“It is an honor and a privilege to be the sponsor of the USS Augusta, named for the capital city of the great state of Maine,” said Saufley, who is now dean of the law school at the University of Maine.

Find out what’s happening in San Diegowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“I am confident that the Augusta will serve the U.S. Navy and the people of the United States with distinction,” she said.

The ship is the second Navy vessel to be named in honor of Maine’s capital, the first being a Los Angeles-class nuclear attack submarine decommissioned in 2009.

The new ship is 418 feet in length, armed with guns, missiles and helicopters, and can reach speeds of over 50 mph.

All of the littoral ships in the Independence variant of the class are stationed at Naval Base San Diego. Ships of the second, monohull variant are based in Florida.

Times of San Diego is an independent online news site covering the San Diego metropolitan area. Our journalists report on politics, crime, business, sports, education, arts, the military and everyday life in San Diego. No subscription is required, and you can sign up for a free daily newsletter with a summary of the latest news.

The rules of replying:

  • Be respectful. This is a space for friendly local discussions. No racist, discriminatory, vulgar or threatening language will be tolerated.
  • Be transparent. Use your real name, and back up your claims.
  • Keep it local and relevant. Make sure your replies stay on topic.
  • Review the Patch Community Guidelines.