Wednesday 27 July 2011

Submarine (HMS/M Warspite)



HMS Warspite was the third of Britain's nuclear-powered submarines, and the second (and final) of the Valiant class. She was launched on 25 September 1965 by Mary Wilson, the wife of the then British Prime Minister Harold Wilson, and entered service 18 April 1967.
Warspite underwent a two year refit, which was nearing completion just as the Falklands War started. After the war ended she carried out a long patrol around the island and the Argentine coast.

The submarine was decommissioned in 1991. Mainly operated out of HMNB Clyde, at Faslane (the former Clyde Submarine Base) with the Third Submarine Squadron. Her hull and reactor are currently laid up afloat at Devonport Dockyard, Plymouth until facilities are available for the long term storage of her radioactive components.

Notable commanders of this vessel include Sandy Woodward. Woodward went on to command the Falklands Conflict battle group, became Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command and rose to the rank of admiral.



BBC documentary, ''Submarine'', from the mid 1980s.   







2 comments:

  1. i served on the warspite from 1968 to 1972 con you name any of the crew members

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Folks. For those who have an interest, this year, 2016, HMS Warspite will be dry docking for her 10 yr maintenance period in Devonport. I'm overseeing this. Not able to give specifics. ian@amytree.plus.com.
    Regards
    Ian

    ReplyDelete