US Navy destroyer drifted four days without power in South China Sea

A U.S. Navy destroyer was left without power for four days in the South China Sea after suffering an engineering failure, leaving hundreds of sailors without drinking water, hot meals, working toilets, or air conditioning.

US Navy destroyer drifted four days without power in South China Sea

TL;DR

  • The USS Benfold experienced a complete power loss for four days.
  • The engineering failure was caused by issues with the ship's generators.
  • Hundreds of sailors were affected, lacking drinking water, hot meals, working toilets, and air conditioning.
  • The incident occurred in the South China Sea while operating with the George Washington carrier strike group.
  • The USS Benfold is an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, roughly 30 years old.