MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Last surviving Falkland’s warship bows out

The last surviving operational Royal Navy warship which took part in the Falkland Islands conflict of 1982 retires from service tomorrow (Wednesday May 27).

Portsmouth-based HMS Exeter destroyed four Argentine aircraft – two Skyhawks and two reconnaissance planes – during the campaign. The Type 42 destroyer was sent to the region from the Caribbean to replace her sister ship HMS Sheffield – the first major British casualty of the conflict.

A ceremony to mark the end of HMS Exeter’s 29-year career, attended by many of her Falklands veterans, will be held at Portsmouth Naval Base.

Ten of her 21 former Commanding Officers will also be among the 325 guests at the decommissioning ceremony which will be conducted by Naval chaplain the Reverend James Tabor. The ship’s affiliate organisations, including Exeter City Council, will also be represented.

Exeter’s White Ensign will be lowered for the last time during the ceremony and it will be rounded off in RN ceremonial fashion with the cutting of a decommissioning cake.

Built by Swan Hunter Shipbuilders on the Tyne, HMS Exeter was launched in 1978 and entered service in September 1980.

She was also involved in the Gulf War of 1991, employed as an escort for a US battleship and mine countermeasures vessels off the Kuwaiti coast.

In 2005 she took part in the International Fleet Review to mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar. During her lengthy service around the globe Exeter clocked up 892,811 nautical miles.

The Navy is replacing its ageing Type 42s with the far more capable Type 45 Daring class of destroyers. The first of the class – HMS Daring – made her first entry to her Portsmouth home in January and the second – HMS Dauntless – is due to arrive next year. Most of Exeter’s ship’s company have already been transferred to other posts across the RN fleet, including Daring and Dauntless. (Royal Navy)