BATH — A Navy destroyer, which was built at Bath Iron Works, will sail down the Kennebec River Wednesday afternoon as the vessel heads toward the open ocean and a commissioning ceremony in New York City set for Oct. 6.

James DeMartini, a spokesman for BIW, said the Aegis destroyer, DDG-112 Michael Murphy, was christened in May 2011 but the destroyer remained in Maine for additional prep work that had been requested by the Navy.

In the past, destroyer sail aways have attracted crowds of onlookers, who line the shoreline as the gigantic vessels round Fiddler’s Reach – a sharp bend in the river near Doubling Point Lighthouse in Arrowsic.

After navigating Fiddler’s Reach, the destroyer will pass Parkers Head in Phippsburg and Popham Beach before entering the Gulf of Maine.

Congressman Mike Michaud’s (D.-Maine) office said the destroyer is expected to depart the shipyard around 3 p.m. Michaud will attend a send-off celebration at the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath.

DeMartini said the Michael Murphy, which carries a crew of about 300, will make Pearl Harbor its homeport.

Two more Aegis destroyers are under construction at BIW – the Rafael Peralta DDG 115 and the Thomas Hudner DDG 116.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.