Farewell Ark Royal

**MNlad** · 20th May 13, 03:32 PM

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

Hopefully, the powers that be will have the sense of history to name one the Ark Royal, which traces its name back to the flagship of the British fleet that bested the Spanish Armada in 1588. It would be the sixth ship to bear the proud name.

As for our Enterprise, Bren is right. The Big E was decommissioned last December and the 9th Enterprise is on the drawing boards. Unfortunately, the proudest ship to bare that name suffered the same fate as your Ark Royal. The most decorated ship in the US Fleet in WWII fell to the cutters torches following the end of that conflict.

"Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone." -Joni Mitchell-

**O'Searcaigh** · 20th May 13, 04:23 PM

As an old flat-top sailor myself -- a sad sad day indeed. I remember HMS Victorious (with which we sailed) and her trip to the scraps (1969) just a year before the decommissioning of my ship (USS Bennington CVS20) in 1970 (sold for scrap 1994) but with ships with traditions like the Ark Royal and Enterprise "the king is dead, long live the king" -- may their tradition never end. (play/sing Navy Hymn here).

**sailortats** · 20th May 13, 05:31 PM

It is always a sad day when a proud ship is towed out on her final voyage. I am sure there were many a tear in the people watching her as she left. Fair winds Ark Royal, fear not, you will live forever in the hearts of your former crew.

**tulloch** · 21st May 13, 05:21 AM

It is hard to imagine that the Royal Navy no longer has a carrier. I am surprised they would let a period of time pass without at least one to form a carrier group.

**tundramanq** · 21st May 13, 05:40 AM

When you work and live on a ship for a few years, it becomes a living thing to you. It amazed me at how hard I took it when my ship, the USS Bainbridge CGN-25 got scrapped. The crews made it live and it will live on in our memories.

**moggi1964** · 21st May 13, 09:29 AM

When the SS Uganda was decommissioned a while after the Falklands conflict I got a picture from a friend of her laying on her side waiting to be scrapped. It was a sad sight after all the years of service she gave both as a passenger ship; a school adventure ship; a hospital ship and finally (when I worked on her) a troop carrier.

She's just a hunk of metal but you feel in your heart she deserves better.

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**Laird_M** · 22nd May 13, 12:14 AM

It seems kind impossible that there'll be no Ark Royal! She's always been there since I can remember...
Will raise a glass in her honour and memory.
And that Mark Knopfler song is bringing a lump to my throat - very poignant...

**moggi1964** · 22nd May 13, 04:49 AM

Don't forget the theme tune from the documentary "Sailor" they did on the Ark back in the 70's: "Sailing" sung by Rod Stewart.

Not a poignant song like Mark's but it takes me back and makes me think of the programme.

**Lime** · 22nd May 13, 06:53 AM

At least we still have HMS Victory! She was narrowly saved from being scrapped and is technically still the commander in chief's flagship!

http://www.hms-victory.com/index.php...153&Itemid=572

**Bigkahuna** · 31st May 13, 09:06 PM

I had the honor of raising several glasses with the Ark Royals Chief Diver "Shiner" Brassington, when the Ark Royal visited New York many years ago. It always amazed me that the ship had actual pubs on board where alcohol was served. This was after the rum ration was abolished on "Black Tot Day". She was a fine ship with a proud history. Her passing will be mourned.