- - HMS Plymouth, Wirral, Aug 2012 (6 weeks before deconstruction) (http://www.nwex.co.uk/showthread.php?t=10221)
HMS Plymouth, Wirral, Aug 2012 (6 weeks before deconstruction)
Felt that a final visit to her was in order and now that she is going in 6 weeks time to a Turkish scrapyard unless she is bought for £400,000 she needs all the publicity that she can get and there is a campaign running to save her by raising the money but in all honesty it does not look good here is the facebook page of the HMS Plymouth trust https://www.facebook.com/hms.plymouth
They have even approached the Argentine Government for help as this frigate has huge heritage because the Argentine surrender was signed in her wardroom.
HISTORY................
Construction Plymouth was built at Devonport Dockyard, in her namesake city of Plymouth, and was launched by Viscountess Astor on 20 July 1959. Active service During her lifetime, Plymouth served in a variety of locations, including the Far East and Australia. She saw action in the Cod Wars between the United Kingdom and Iceland and also the Falklands War in 1982. Plymouth was one of the first Royal Navy ships to arrive in the South Atlantic following the Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. Plymouth alongside HMS Antrim, HMS Brilliant and HMS Endurance took part in the recapturing of South Georgia on 28 April during Operation Paraquet. Plymouth landed Royal Marines from her Westland Wasp helicopters and bombarded Argentine troop positions on the island. Later her Wasp helicopter took part in an attack on the ARA Santa Fe, which was badly damaged and later captured by Royal Marines. The ship was damaged but survived. Plymouth rejoined the task force and supported troops on the ground by bombarding Argentine troop positions with her 4.5-inch (114 mm) guns. On June 8, Plymouth was attacked by Dagger fighter bombers of FAA Grupo 6. Able seaman Phil Orr fired her Sea Cat missile system at them, claiming the destruction of two aircraft. Later it was determined that no Dagger was lost in action that day.[1] Plymouth was hit by four bombs and several cannon shells. One Bomb hit the flight deck, detonating a depth charge and starting a fire, one went straight through her funnel and two more destroyed her Limbo anti-submarine mortar. All of the bombs failed to explode. Five men were injured in the attack and repairs were effected by 1st Class MEM's John Fearon, Gary Borthwick, David Rance and LMEM's Robin Cunningham and Ray Potts. She returned to Rosyth Dockyard after the war for full repair and refit The following year, Plymouth served as the West Indies Guardship which included several days anchored off Belize. On the 11th March 1984 Plymouth was involved in a collision with the German Frigate FGS Braunschweig and in 1986 she suffered a boiler room fire, killing two sailors.
here be some video of our visit
http://youtu.be/4VbGY2yEgcg
Anyway some pictures
in better times
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...lymouthjpg.jpg
And today awaiting her fate
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...h/300_6605.jpg
Her wardroom during the falklands and the signing of thier surrender
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...outh/mid-1.jpg
and her wardroom today, you can see the original tables in the background
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...2/300_2397.jpg
bunkbeds RN Style
her wheelhouse
CCswitchroom
radio room
Turning gear
mortars training round ofcourse
seacat baby another training round
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...th/secatre.jpg
her guns
The Naafi
depth charge launchers
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...th/depthre.jpg
and a little video of our visit
Top stuff, been delayed getting on this for a few weeks, trains been getting in the way and all that :)
Looking forward to getting back on the old girl.
goodluck but dont delay apparently the environment agency are going to start draining oils etc next week in prep for safe towing.
Morrisey 31-08-2012 23:18
Nicely captured dude. Which side of the Mersey is she moored on?
moored on the wirral side in birkenhead.
went tonight, access is harder but doable.
One must now be able to climb a rope.
Originally Posted by suboffender (Post 148771)
Holy jeezus man, just trying to imagine you climbing a rope in the Nude...cant you keep your clothes on:D