He resigned as SecNav over the retirement of the Garcia-class frigates. There were 12 or 16 of them, were decrepeit and basically deathtraps that the crews were afraid to take to sea (according to an old friend of mine who served on one). But they were being counted towards the “600 Ship” totals.
Retiring them meant that the 600 Ship Navy was never going to be reached. Webb threw a hissy (either opportunistic or deranged ... possibly both) and quit.
Thanks for the info. :)