USN LCS by passes Halifax

Put it down as another Covid-19 cancellation. The United States Navy's latest ship, on delivery from the builders yard in Marinette, Wisconsin to its base in Mayport, FL, is bypassing Halifax. Unlike all the previous ships of the class that were built in Marinette, it will not be stopping here on a courtesy visit. In fact as I am writing this, at about 12 noon, it is passing Halifax well offshore at a sedate 7.7 knots.

The ship, to be commissioned as USS St-Louis, is Littoral Combat Ship LCS-19, and would be capable of 45 knots if it were going full out. Normal cruising speed would be 19 kts, but it is likely conserving fuel so as to avoid stopping in a Canadian port.

It is not uncommon for a USN ship to visit Halifax on July 4, but with the current border closure (except for essential travel and trade) there would be no pressing need for the ship to stop in Halifax. Its last port was Cleveland, OH, June 22 where it refueled before passing down through the Welland Canal and St.Lawrence Seaway non-stop. It did use Canadian tugs for the transits, but did not stop at Montreal - also customary for previous ships of the class.

There are six more ships to come in the Freedom class with one more likely to be delivered this year. LCS-21 named Minneapolis-Saint-Paul will also likely bypass Halifax unless things change dramatically over the next few months.

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