Navy
HMS Gloucester Makes Her Final Journey
The Royal Navy's last remaining Type 42 Destroyer is leaving the UK shores for the last time.
Launched 33 years ago, HMS Gloucester was decommissioned in 2011 after 25 years of service. The vessel has been phased out to make way for the new Type 45 destroyers.
Perhaps the 'Fighting G's' most notable action was the firing of her Sea Dart missiles during the First Gulf War to bring down an Iraqi Silkworm missile. The incoming weapon was aimed at the United States battleship the USS Missouri and her allied minehunters.
It marked the first successful missile to missile engagement at sea by any Navy in a combat situation. During her deployment in the Persian Gulf HMS Gloucester also survived two naval mine attacks while her Lynx helicopter engaged seven Iraqi warships.
In 2006 the Royal Navy vessel was involved in the evacuation of British Nationals from Beirut during the Israel-Hezbollah War.
She's now heading for Turkey where she'll be scrapped.
HMS Gloucester in Numbers:
- 29 years old at time of decommissioning in 2011
- Clocked up 787,928 miles while in service
- Underwent £6 million refit in 2007
- Could travel at 30 knots with her turbines producing 48,000hp
- Carried a crew of 287
More from Forces TV: HMS Illustrious Decommissioned In Portsmouth
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