New U.S. Warship trapped in Montreal by heavy ice

The Canadian Press

MONTREAL -- A newly commissioned Navy warship will be wintering in Montreal after its journey to Florida was interrupted by cold and ice.

The USS Little Rock moored in Montreal Harbor, December 2017. 

A Navy spokeswoman says the USS Little Rock was commissioned in Buffalo on Dec. 16 and was expected to make its way to its home port in Mayport, Fla.

Instead, the 118-metre Freedom-variant vessel has been moored in Montreal since Christmas Eve due to unusually heavy ice conditions.

Lt. Cmdr. Courtney Hillson says the Navy has now decided to leave the ship in place until the winter weather improves.

While there's no departure date scheduled, she says the St. Lawrence Seaway is generally navigable by mid-March.

Hillson says the crew are doing well and will focus on training and readiness while they wait to travel to warmer waters. The USS Little Rock is a Freedom-class littoral combat ship (LCS) of the United States Navy. The LCS designed for service in warmer climates. The USS Little Rock was to serve in Florida and the Gulf of Mexico for the duration of its career.