Farewell Ark Royal

**Pleater** · 20th May 13, 10:19 AM

The last aircraft carrier in the British fleet was today towed away on her last journey to the breaker's yard.

I remember being on my little yacht and peeking around HMS Dolphin at the entrance to Portsmouth harbour to see what the signal being flown meant - and there she was, leaving harbour - I just stood there gaping up at that huge hull - not that I could have gone anywhere, a ship that size stops the wind.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

**Jock Scot** · 20th May 13, 10:22 AM

A sad day.

**creagdhubh** · 20th May 13, 10:30 AM

Fair winds and following seas...

**Grizzly** · 20th May 13, 10:38 AM

A sad day indeed. All my life there has been an Ark Royal. She will be greatly missed.

**sydnie7** · 20th May 13, 11:16 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrTOeje9Rhs

Makes me think of this Mark Knopfler song.

**TheOfficialBren** · 20th May 13, 12:46 PM

Is thay seriously the last aircraft carrier in the Royal Navy? Wow!

It reminds me of Enterprise. Since time immemorial there has always been a USS Enterprise. I have heard that the latest one was or is to be decommissioned. They have another one on the board, though.

**rsvpiper** · 20th May 13, 12:52 PM

Hummmm............. How did we become the shadow of the shadow of our former selves

**John_Carrick** · 20th May 13, 02:46 PM

The UK is building two new aircraft carriers but it will be years before they become operational I think.

**Pleater** · 20th May 13, 02:57 PM

Originally Posted by John_Carrick

The UK is building two new aircraft carriers but it will be years before they become operational I think.

Scheduled for 2020, I believe.

It could be argued that the aircraft carrier no longer has a role, Ark Royal has had various different functions in her lifetime.

I have a copy of Turner's 'The Fighting Temarare' over the fireplace in this room - another grand old lady of the sea being towed away to be broken up because her time has passed and the needs of the Navy have changed and moved on.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

**Carlo** · 20th May 13, 03:15 PM

On the other hand I have a friend that worked in the production of HMS Duncan. A nice "little" destroyer built on the Clyde that should be commissioned this or next year.
So I guess you'll be save till 2020 because she takes her work serious.