(CNN) Britain's new multi-billion aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth was forced to cut short sea trials this week after springing a leak.

The $3.8 billion warship, the future flagship of the Royal Navy's fleet, had set out from Portsmouth last month for the trials.

"Following a minor issue with an internal system on HMS Queen Elizabeth, the ship's company were required to remove a small volume of water from the ship," a Royal Navy spokesperson said. "An investigation into the cause is underway."

Some reports in British media attributed the leak to a burst high-pressure sea water pipe that damaged a stairwell and split deck plates.

But the Royal Navy said the ship's hull was not damaged, and all the water was removed.

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