Historic Vessels Reserve List

The maritime heritage movement in the UK ought to plan ahead regarding what ships might be worth preserving in the future. This list highlights some of the ships that we suggest ought to be strongly considered for future preservation in the UK when they are retired from service. Indeed some already have been retired and are presently laid up awaiting their fate.

Pre WW2 and Second World War era (Pre 1950):

HMS Caroline (1914) – WW1 Royal Navy “Caroline” class Light Cruiser. Built by Cammell Laird Shipbuilders Ltd, Birkenhead, Merseyside, England, UK. Currently serving as a RNR ship in Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK and likely to be decommissioned in about 2011.

HMS Whimbrel U29 (1943) - WW2 Royal Navy “Modified Black Swan” class Escort Sloop. Built by Yarrow Shipbuilders Ltd, Scotstoun, Glasgow, Scotland, UK. Currently laid up in Alexandria, Egypt as ENS Tariq after service as an accommodation ship.

HMS Stalker LST 3515 (1944) - WW2 Royal Navy Landing Ship Tank (LST). Built by Canadian Yarrow Ltd, Esquimalt, Canada. Currently laid up in Portsmouth Harbour, England, UK.

HMS Zenith R95 (1944) - WW2 Royal Navy “Z” class Destroyer. Built by William Denny & Bros, Dumbarton, Scotland, UK. Currently laid up in Alexandria, Egypt as ENS El Fatah after service as an accommodation ship.

HMS Rame Head (1945) - British designed Canadian built WW2 “Fort / Victory” class merchant cargo ship / escort maintenance ship. Built by North Vancouver Ship Repairs, North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Currently laid up in Portsmouth Harbour, England, UK.

S/S Winthrop Victory (1945) – WW2 “Victory” class standard type merchant cargo ship. Built by the California Shipbuilding Corporation, Los Angeles, California, USA. Currently laid up in the US Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet, California, USA. Last surviving civilian cargo ship still in existence that was present on VJ Day at the surrender of Japan in Tokyo Bay on the 2^nd September 1945.

Postwar Era (1950 - 1970):

MV Royal Iris (1950) – Mersey Ferry. Built by William Denny & Bros., Dumbarton, Scotland, UK. She is possibly the most innovative ship built on the Clyde. Currently laid up near Woolwich on the River Thames in London.

HMS Decoy D106 (1953) – Royal Navy “D” class Destroyer. Built by Yarrow Shipbuilders Ltd, Scotstoun, Glasgow, Scotland, UK. (This class was the last conventional gun destroyers of the Royal Navy built before the advent of guided missiles). After service in the Peruvian Navy as PNS Ferre and was decommissioned in July 2007. She is now stored in Callao Naval Base.

S/S Manxman (1955) – Isle of Man Steam Packet Company ferry. Built by Cammell Laird Shipbuilders Ltd, Birkenhead, England, UK. Currently laid up at the Pallion Shipyard in Sunderland on the River Wear awaiting her fate.

S/S Duke of Lancaster (1956) – British Railways (BR) Irish Sea ferry. Built by Harland & Wolff Ltd, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK. Currently laid up near Rhyl on the North Wales coast awaiting her fate.

S/S Empress of Britain (1956) – Canadian Pacific Line ocean liner. Built by Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. Ltd, Govan, Glasgow, Scotland, UK. Currently in service with Japanese Peaceboat as the Topaz and likely to be retired in the period 2006-2010. She is now the very last remaining “Empress” class ship of the renowned Canadian Pacific Line.

HMS Hermes R12 (1959) – Royal Navy “Centaur” class Light Fleet Aircraft Carrier. Built by Vickers Armstrong Ltd, Barrow in Furness, England, UK. Notable as the flagship of the Falklands War and today is Britain’s last surviving traditional aircraft carrier. Currently serving in the Indian Navy as INS Viraat and likely to be decommissioned in about 2010.

HMS Dreadnought S101 (1960) – Royal Navy “Dreadnought” class Ship Submersible Nuclear (SSN) Fleet Submarine. Built by Vickers Armstrong Ltd, Barrow in Furness, England, UK. (Britain’s first nuclear submarine, although designed with US assistance) Decommissioned in 1980, currently laid up at the HM Rosyth Naval Base, Scotland, UK.

HMS Fearless L10 (1963) – Royal Navy “Fearless” class Amphibious Assault Ship. Built by Harland & Wolff Ltd, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK. Decommissioned 2002, currently laid up at the HM Portsmouth Naval Base, England, UK. On the 2nd October 2007 the MOD announced that the ship is to be recycled (scrapped in an environmentally sensitive way) at a Belgian shipyard.

HMS Valiant S102 (1963) – Royal Navy “Valiant” class Ship Submersible Nuclear (SSN) Fleet Submarine. Built by Vickers Armstrong Ltd, Barrow in Furness, England, UK. (Britain’s first nuclear submarine, designed and built in the UK). Decommissioned in 1994, currently laid up at the HM Devonport Naval Base, Plymouth, England, UK.

HMS Resolution S22 (1966) – Royal Navy “Resolution” class SSBN Polaris armed ballistic missile nuclear submarine. Built by Vickers Armstrong Ltd, Barrow in Furness, England, UK. (Britain’s first Polaris armed nuclear deterrent submarine). Decommissioned in 1992, currently laid up at the HM Rosyth Naval Base, Scotland, UK

RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 (1967) - Cunard Line transatlantic ocean liner. Built by John Brown & Co., Clydebank, Scotland, UK. The last transatlantic ocean liner built in Britain for a British shipping line. Currently in service with Cunard Line based in Southampton and will be retired from service in November 2008. She will be preserved as a hotel ship in Dubai.

RFA Sir Percivale L3036 (1968) – Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA). “Round Table” class Landing Ship Logistic (LSL). Built by Hawthorn Leslie (Shipbuilders) Ltd, Hebburn-on-Tyne, England, UK. Originally built for the British Army but transferred in 1970 to the Royal Navy’s Royal Fleet Auxiliary with the rest of her class. She played a key role in the Falklands War and the two Gulf Wars. She is also notable as the last British Royal Navy vessel to leave Hong Kong after the handover to China in 1997. Decommissioned in 2004 and currently laid up in Southampton Docks.

Hovercraft THE PRINCESS MARGARET (1968) - British Rail Seaspeed SRN 4 cross-channel hovercraft. Built by the British Hovercraft Corporation, Cowes, IoW, England, UK. Retired 2002, currently laid up and for sale at the Hovercraft Museum site, HMS Daedalus, Lee-on-Solent, England, UK.

Hovercraft THE PRINCESS ANNE (1969) - British Rail Seaspeed SRN 4 cross-channel hovercraft. Built by the British Hovercraft Corporation, Cowes, IoW, England, UK. Retired 2002, currently laid up and for sale at the Hovercraft Museum site, HMS Daedalus, Lee-on-Solent, England, UK.

Modern Era (1970 - 2000):

HMS Norfolk D21 (1970) – Royal Navy “County” class Guided Missile Destroyer. Built by Swan Hunter Ltd, Wallsend on Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, England, UK. Notable as a veteran of the Falklands War and in 1974 was the first operational RN ship to fire a surface to surface missile. Currently serving in the Chilean Navy as CNS Capitan Prat and likely to be decommissioned in the next few years.

HMS Achilles F12 (1970) – Royal Navy Type 12 “Leander” class Frigate. Built by Yarrow Shipbuilders Ltd, Scotstoun, Glasgow, Scotland, UK. This class was arguably the most successful and popular frigates ever to serve in the Royal Navy. Currently serving in the Chilean Navy as CNS Ministro Zenteno and is to be decommissioned in September 2006 when it is replaced by the former HMS Norfolk recently acquired by the Chilean Navy.

M/S Vistafjord (1973) - Norwegian American Line (NAL) ocean liner. Built by Swan Hunter Ltd, Wallsend on Tyne, England, UK. The last ocean liner built in Britain for any shipping line, having been launched at Swan Hunter Shipbuiders Ltd in 1973. Currently in service with Saga Cruises as the Saga Ruby having been sold to them by Cunard Line in 2004.  

HMS Newcastle D87 (1973) - Royal Navy Type 42 "Sheffield" class Destroyer. Built by Swan Hunter Ltd, Wallsend on Tyne, England, UK She was the longest serving Type 42 Destroyer in the Royal Navy. She was decommissioned from service in 2005 and is currently laid up in Portsmouth. 

HMS Cardiff D108 (1974) - Royal Navy Type 42 "Sheffield" class Destroyer. Built by Vickers Armstrong Ltd, Barrow in Furness, England, UK She served in the Falklands War and the Gulf War. She was decommissioned from service in 2005 and is currently laid up in Portsmouth.

MV Lady of Mann (1976) - Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Ltd ferry. Built by Ailsa Shipbuilders Ltd, Troon, Scotland, UK. Notable as one of the last traditional side loading car ferries. Currently in service for Greek interests on the North Aegean Sea having been sold by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company in October 2005.

HMS Splendid S12 (1979) – Royal Navy “Swiftsure” class Submersible Ship Nuclear (SSN) fleet submarine. Built by Vickers Armstrong Ltd, Barrow in Furness, England, UK. Decommissioned 2003, currently laid up at the HM Devonport Naval Base, Plymouth, England, UK.

HMS Exeter D89 (1980) – Royal Navy Type 42 “Sheffield” class Destroyer. Built by Swan Hunter Ltd, Wallsend on Tyne, England, UK. Served in the Falklands War and the First Gulf War. Currently in service with the Royal Navy, although likely to be retired from service by about 2007 when the new Type 45 “Daring” class destroyers enter service.

HMS Liverpool D92 (1980) - Royal Navy Type 42 "Sheffield" class Destroyer. Built by Cammell Laird Shipbuilders Ltd, Birkenhead, England, UK. Served in the Iraq War and is currently in service in the Royal Navy.

HMS Ark Royal R07 (1981) – Royal Navy “Invincible” class VSTOL Aircraft Carrier. Built by Swan Hunter Ltd, Wallsend on Tyne, England, UK. Currently in service in the Royal Navy, although likely to be retired from service by about 2015 when the second of the two new “Queen Elizabeth” class CVF aircraft carriers enters service.

HMS Illustrious R08 (1981) – Royal Navy “Invincible” class VSTOL Aircraft Carrier. Built by Swan Hunter Ltd, Wallsend on Tyne, England, UK. Currently in service in the Royal Navy, although likely to be retired from service by about 2012 when the first of the two new “Queen Elizabeth” class CVF aircraft carriers enters service.

HMS Trafalgar S107 (1981) – Royal Navy “Trafalgar” class Submersible Ship Nuclear (SSN) fleet submarine. Built by Vickers Armstrong Ltd, Barrow in Furness, England, UK. Currently in service in the Royal Navy.

M/S St David (1981) – British Rail Sealink roll-on roll-off car ferry for the Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire ferry route. Built by Harland & Wolff Ltd, Queens Island, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK. Notable as British Rail Sealink’s first class of truly modern car ferry. Currently in service with Stena Line as Stena Caledonia on the Stranraer Harbour to Larne ferry route.

HMS Chatham F87 (1990) – Royal Navy Type 22 batch 3 “Broadsword” class Frigate. Built by Swan Hunters Ltd, Wallsend on Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, England, UK. Currently in service in the Royal Navy. Star of the BBC TV programme "Shipmates" and  in 2007 she was awarded the Firmin Sword of Peace (formerly known as the Wilkinson Sword of Peace), the highest military award for peace work, for her efforts in rebuilding life after the devestation of the 2004 Asian Tsunami.

Hoverspeed Great Britain (1990) - Seacat high speed catamaran ferry.

The first car carrying catamaran ferry to enter commercial service, on her delivery voyage she gained the Blue Riband of the North Atlantic. Built by Incat Tasmania and currently in service with Hoverspeed UK.

HMS Vanguard S28 (1992) – Royal Navy “Vanguard” class Trident armed ballistic missile nuclear submarine. Built by Vickers Armstrong Ltd, Barrow in Furness, England, UK. Currently in service in the Royal Navy.

HSS Stena Explorer (1996) - Stena Line HSS 1500 fast ferry.

Built by Finnyards, Rauma, Finland. Currently in service with Stena Line on the Holyhead - Dun Laoghaire route.

HMS Richmond F239 (1996) – Royal Navy Type 23 “Duke” class Anti Submarine Warfare Frigate. Built by Swan Hunter Shipbuilders Ltd, Newcastle upon Tyne, England, UK. Served in the Second Gulf War and is notable as being the last warship built by Swan Hunter. Currently in service in the Royal Navy, although likely to be retired from service from about 2015.

21st Century Era: (2000 onwards):

Research Vessel Triton (2000) - experimental MoD DERA “Triton” Trimaran research development warship. Built by Vosper Thornycroft Ltd, Woolston, Southampton, England, UK. The world’s first Trimaran experimental warship. Currently in service with Gardline Shipping Ltd as a hydrographic survey ship.

HMS Mersey P283 (2003) - “River” class Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV). The last naval vessel built by Vosper Thornycroft Ltd at their Woolston, Southampton shipyard. Currently in service in the Royal Navy.

Mirabella V (2003) - 75.2m long composite sloop rigged single masted super-yacht. Built by Vosper Thornycroft Ltd, Woolston, Southampton, England, UK. The last ship built at their Woolston shipyard and the world’s largest composite sloop rigged single-masted yacht. Currently in service with Mirabella Yachts Ltd.

HMS Albion L14 (2003) – Royal Navy “Albion” class Landing Platform Dock (LPD) amphibious assault ship. Built by BAE Systems, Barrow in Furness, England, UK. She replaces the retired HMS Fearless built in 1963. Currently in service in the Royal Navy.

RMS Queen Mary 2 (2004) - Cunard Line transatlantic ocean liner / cruise ship. Built by Alstom Chantiers de l’Atlantique, St Navaire, France. The world’s first 21st century built transatlantic ocean liner. Currently in service with Cunard Line.

HMS Clyde (2006) - Royal Navy "River" class Future Offshore Patrol Vessel (FOPV). The first naval vessel built entirely in Portsmouth since the launch of the HMS Andromeda in 1967. The ship was built by Vosper Thornycroft Ltd at their new facility in the Portsmouth Naval Dockyard.

HMS Daring D32 (2009) – Royal Navy Type 45 “D” class Anti-Air Warfare Destroyers. Built with BAE Systems as prime contractor and with final assembly of the modular parts at BAE Systems, Scotstoun, Glasgow, Scotland, UK. Launched by HRH The Countess of Wessex on the 1st February 2006 at BAE Systems Scotstoun shipyard. This ship is the first of a class of surface warships to pioneer new “modular” construction techniques in the UK.

HMS Astute (2009) – Royal Navy new generation “Astute” class Submersible Ship Nuclear (SSN) attack submarine. Built by BAE Systems, Barrow in Furness, England, UK. Launched by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall on the 8th June 2007. They are the largest and most powerful nuclear attack submarines ever built for the Royal Navy. 

HMS Queen Elizabeth (2012) – Royal Navy new generation “Queen Elizabeth” class CVF aircraft carrier. Built by the Aircraft Carrier Alliance of UK shipyards with BAE Systems as prime contractor (supported by Thales, Babcock and Vosper Thornycroft). The modular parts will be constructed at BAE Systems Govan / Scotstoun, BAE Systems Barrow in Furness, Vosper Thornycroft Portsmouth and Babcock BES Rosyth shipyards among others. The final assembly of these modular parts will take place at Babcock BES, Rosyth Naval Base, Scotland, UK.