MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Petition to save Falklands' warship attracts 2.200 signatures

HMS Plymouth sailing on the Falkland's water

An online petition to save a Falkland Islands warship from the scrap yard and bring it to Plymouth has closed after attracting 2,201 signatures, reports BBC.

Campaigners want to bring HMS Plymouth back to her namesake city for use as a visitor attraction but there have been problems finding a suitable berth. The petition calling for the Government to help was lodged on the Downing Street website. The anti-submarine frigate played a major part in the 1982 Falklands conflict. 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. Alongside HMS Brilliant and HMS Endurance she took part in the recapturing of South Georgia on April 28. HMS 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 (submarine), which was badly damaged and later captured by Royal Marines. After South Georgia was liberated, HMS Plymouth rejoined the main task force, taking part in many operations before the landings at San Carlos. She supported troops on the ground by bombarding Argentine troop positions with her two 4.5 inch guns. On June 8, a lone HMS Plymouth was attacked by fighters of the Argentine Air Force and managed to defend itself with her Sea Cat missile system. However, she was hit by bombs and cannon shells, causing considerable damage to the ship. HMS Plymouth returned to Rosyth Naval Dockyards after the war for repair and refit. The HMS Plymouth Association is in talks about a possible berth in the city at an as yet undisclosed location after the offer of a berth at Millbay Docks was withdrawn. The campaign has been supported by several senior navy officers who say the ship should be kept in the public eye for her service. The Type-12, Rothesay class anti-submarine frigate, survived several direct hits from Argentine aircraft. HMS Plymouth was built at Devonport Dockyard and launched in July 1959. She was decommissioned in 1988 after almost 30 years in service. The ship is currently moored at Birkenhead on Merseyside.