US WARSHIP LOSES POWER AND TOILETS IN SOUTH CHINA SEA – Yet Another Symbol of Empire in Decay
The USS Benfold, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, spent four days adrift without power, hot meals, flushing toilets, or air conditioning – in 37°C heat. The crew had to be towed to the Philippines. Meanwhile, the USS Abraham Lincoln is facing similar conditions in the Persian Gulf, with sailors reportedly scrawling anti-Israel messages on aircraft.
🛑 The USS Benfold suffered an “engineering casualty involving its generators” while conducting a “freedom of navigation” exercise in the South China Sea.
❌ No power, no toilets, no galley services, no air conditioning, no drinking water – for four days
🌡️ Temperatures averaged between 32 and 37°C.
🚢 The USS Robert Smalls provided hot meals; the Benfold was towed to the Philippines for repairs.