A CURSED £3billion aircraft carrier broke down hours after its launch.
HMS Prince of Wales was waved off by thousands from Portsmouth on a three-month exercise with the US Navy.
But the 65,000-tonne Nato flagship conked out ten miles off the south coast on Saturday — with a faulty propeller shaft.
Last night the carrier was anchored in Stokes Bay off the Isle of Wight — but Rear Admiral Steve Moorhouse said it would be “moving to a more sheltered anchorage for further inspection”.
He added: “It’s likely the fault will require repairs, which may impact the ship’s programme. Rest assured, the Royal Navy continues to deliver operations and to keep the UK safe.”
The 1,000ft vessel, the Navy’s biggest, relies on electricity produced by diesel engines and gas turbines to turn 33-tonne propellers. An aerial photo had shown it with a wake trail from just one of its two propellers.
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A Navy source told The Sun: “It’s an embarrassment.”
It comes after The Sun revealed the ship’s commanding officer, Capt
Steve Higham, was suspended over claims he invited lone female sailors into his quarters for “mentoring”.
It has also been hit by flooding.
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