Farewell service has been held for Falklands veteran warship HMS Plymouth
A farewell service was held at the weekend (sun) for an iconic Westcountry warship which an eleventh hour bid seems unlikely to save from destined for the scrap yard.
HMS Plymouth is due to be dismantled this year, the 30th anniversary of the Falklands conflict in which she played a pivotal role.
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The move is a final blow to campaigners, who fought a high-profile but ultimately doomed campaign to save it. She is currently moored at Birkenhead Docks, where her last crew and enthusiasts gathered to say their final goodbyes on board.
HMS Plymouth, launched from Devonport in 1959, is the only Royal Navy warship remaining afloat in UK waters that was involved in the conflict in the South Atlantic.
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After being decommissioned she was opened to the public at Trinity Pier, Plymouth. Later saved by the Warship Preservation Trust, the ship was moved
to Birkenhead where she was opened as an attraction, but the trust went bust in 2006.
Various campaigns have been launched to try to save the former anti-submarine frigate, which was decommissioned in 1988, including a last-ditch bid earlier this month.
Previous projects to reopen her as a tourist attraction have failed to get off the ground, mainly because of the lack of a suitable berth.
Earlier this month a last-ditch bid was launched to secure HMS Plymouth a berth in the North East.
However, But it appears likely that the ship will instead be exported to Turkey, where she will be “deconstructed”. An asset management team has been scouring the vessel in the last few weeks in an attempt to remove and preserve any items of an historic nature.
Comments
by PCCwatcher
Friday, May 25 2012, 8:58AM
“MSTS Blyth - are you saying it's NOT done and dusted? Has it not been sold to the s*******?
Is there still a chance for Plymouth to reclaim it's heritage now that Pengelly has gone?”
by lilwead
Friday, May 25 2012, 8:43AM
“If the local businesses helped, it would be good publicity for them and their products, raising their profiles. I didn't say it was their responsibility, just that it would help if they backed the plans. I 've said about GunWharf Quays in Portsmouth before; that is a combination of the local authority, the MOD and local business, working hand in glove to get a massive venture going that works. A new, modern shopping centre, linked to a fantastic historical centre with static displays as well as service related shops, then the dockyard itself. Plymouth seems to be on the back foot all the time. I love my home city but I despair of us being anything more than a backwater because of the lack of foresight needed to bring people here. If we had a PERMANENT maritime/military/air force visitor experience, most other things will follow.”
by benmn
Friday, May 25 2012, 8:21AM
“I know there is an Heritage tour happening in the dockyard this weekend and the reservist have an open day with their museum next month again in the dockyard. It would be nice to have a tourist attraction permanently in Plymouth relating to the maritme history. I don't think like someone mentioned that the responsibility lies with babcock, princess yachts etc as at the end of the day they are a business who we are lucky enough in Plymouth employ so many people, I wouldn't imagine they have the time or money to run a tourist attraction. This lies with PCC.”
by lilwead
Thursday, May 24 2012, 9:45AM
“I've shared the link to the Plymouth petition on my facebook page. I have family and friends around the world, and hopefully, they will sign. I've never understood the mentality of a Naval/Maritime city having very little in the way of interactive visitor attractions. We have an anchor from Ark Royal on Armada Way, a part time museum at South Yard, and plaques in a few places. Look at what's happening with the Mathew this week. I was on the Hoe yesterday and the shoreline was pretty well lined with people (me included) watching and taking photos. And I listened to 'outsiders' saying 'If only there were more things like this to visit, we'd come back more frequently'. Come on PCC, in conjunction with places like the Dockyard/Babcock, Princess Yachts, and other businesses, GET YOUR FINGERS OUT. We may have the worse transport links in the country, but make people WANT to come here and perhaps even THEY will be improved, in time.”
by MSTS_Blyth
Thursday, May 24 2012, 7:33AM
“The Warships Preservation Trust became over ambitious, and were not able to sustain their increased fleet.
Therefore, the revenues generated solely by HMS Plymouth had to be used to subsidise the other vessels.
There is no blame to be attached to the WPT as they tried their best to secure the future of other 'retired' warships.
Unfortunately, it was not enough to ensure the continuation of their multi-vessel project.
As far as HMS Plymouth is concerned, the Fat Lady isn't singing yet!!”
by PL1Plym
Wednesday, May 23 2012, 11:13PM
“If it was such a great visitor attraction whinger7643 how come the company running it went bust?
Looks like it has had its chance, it's looking tired and its days are now over. A bit like the city it's named after!”
by MSTS_Blyth
Wednesday, May 23 2012, 10:13PM
“Sorry, I seem to have a dyslexic keyboard!!”
by MSTS_Blyth
Wednesday, May 23 2012, 10:11PM
“Unfortunately, we are having to a lot of this on Facebook, as we dont't yet have a dedicated website!
However, all being well, we should have one up and running within the next few days.
Keep the Faith, as we will get there!
There will be a meeting tomorrow morning, and I hope that I will be able to give further good news regarding the saving of HMS Plymouth.
To date I have pledges from over 300 people willing to carry out any required works, and if only 10% actually turn up we will have her restored her to her original, pristine condition!
We have a number of ideas in the pipeline, but as you will appreciate, I am unable to go into too much detail until everything is finalised.
I will not tolerate negativity at this stage, as it is totally counterproductive. However all support from whatever quarter is greatly appreciated.
"Ready?" "Aye, ready!" That is question and response I am looking for!
Where do you stand?
My colours are firmly nailed to the mast!”
by LordorNothing
Wednesday, May 23 2012, 6:37PM
“MSTS_Blyth...
can we have a non-'facebook' link please (i have real friends)...were not all sheep!”
by MSTS_Blyth
Wednesday, May 23 2012, 6:21PM
“Once again you are reporting 'news' that is nowhere near accurate!
Where do you get your 'facts' from?
Obviously, you do not do any research into the subject before publication!
Follow http://tinyurl.com/7v6tkz7 to find out what is actually going on!!
For anyone out there reading this ... Don't believe a word of it, because the Fat Lady hasn't started to sing yet!!”