The once proud fleet of Argentina has been humbled by time and insufficient funding from Buenos Aires, the recent sinking of a decaying destroyer still at its moorings only the most blatant sign that all hopes of restoring the fleet have long since sailed away. Controversy within state officials abounds as to the reasoning of the fleets current status.

Argentina's defense chief expressed shame Wednesday after a Navy destroyer sank at its moorings, putting on display the declining fortunes of a once-proud fleet.

The ARA Trinidad led Argentina's 1982 sea war against Britain, but has long been mothballed and used for spare parts to sustain what's left of Argentina's Navy.

A Navy statement said that a pipe burst, flooding the ship below decks. Defense Minister Arturo Puricelli denied that cuts to the fleet's maintenance budget were to blame.

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