Falklands ship HMS Plymouth could be on way to our dockyard
A warship that survived several bomb attacks in the Falklands conflict could be on its way to Portsmouth's historic dockyard.
Campaigners who want to preserve the decommissioned frigate HMS Plymouth have had talks with the new National Museum of the Royal Navy after attempts to keep her in the west country failed.
Supporters of the Type 12, 370ft ship could not find a berth for her in Plymouth, but there is space next to Warrior at The Hard.
The ship is understood to be considered a valued substitute if the museum cannot bring the First World War ship HMS Caroline here from Belfast.
In September The News reported that the museum was considering bidding to bring the light cruiser to Portsmouth from Northern Ireland, where she will be a training ship until 2011.
Andy Hayler, vice-chairman of the HMS Plymouth Association, said he had been in talks with the naval museum.
He said the museum had a suitable berth for a frigate, but only wanted to display one 20th-century warship.
He added that the Plymouth association had cash to invest which it raised when it wanted to run the vessel independently.
Mr Hayler said: 'If Belfast adopt Caroline, there's a good chance Plymouth could make her way to Portsmouth.'
Plymouth, currently in Merseyside, was bombed four times in the 1982 Falklands conflict but still managed to be the first British warship into Stanley Harbour.
Former naval officer and owner of Warship World magazine Mike Critchley said negotiations with Portsmouth were in their early stages. He said: 'If Portsmouth get it then good luck to them, but the obvious place for HMS Plymouth is Plymouth.'
The National Museum of the Royal Navy said it did not wish to comment on HMS Plymouth.
But Dominic Tweddle, director of the museum, said: 'On HMS Caroline, I can say that over the next year there will be a twin policy of Belfast presenting a business case for her to stay there, while the museum looks at the option of her moving to Portsmouth. They are two distinct options.'
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Weather for Portsmouth
Friday 25 May 2012
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