 HMSWarspite | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Name | HMSWarspite |
| Ordered | 12 December 1962 |
| Builder | Vickers-Armstrongs |
| Laid down | 10 December 1963 |
| Launched | 25 September 1965 |
| Commissioned | 18 April 1967 |
| Decommissioned | 1991 |
| Honours & awards | 25inherited honours |
| Fate | In storage, awaiting disposal |
| Badge |  |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | Valiant-classsubmarine |
| Displacement |
|
| Length | 285 ft (87 m) |
| Beam | 33 ft 3 in (10.13 m) |
| Draught | 27 ft (8.2 m) |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed |
|
| Range | Unlimited, except by food supplies |
| Complement | 116 |
| Armament |
|
The latestHMSWarspite was the third of Britain'snuclear-poweredsubmarines, and the second (and final) of theValiant class. After entering service in 1967 she collided with aSoviet submarine the following year. A mechanical failure associated with the submarine'snuclear reactor in 1991 led to the boat being laid up atHMNB Devonport where she awaits disposal.
The secondValiant-class submarine, to be calledWarspite, was ordered from Vickers-Armstrong'sBarrow shipyard on 12 December 1962, and waslaid down on 10 December 1963.[1] She waslaunched on 25 September 1965[1] byMary Wilson, the wife of the thenBritish Prime MinisterHarold Wilson,[2] and entered service on 18 April 1967.[1]
In October 1968 whilst following aSoviet boat identified as anEcho II-class submarine,Warspite collided with the stern and propellers of that boat.Warspite suffered damage to her fin but after surfacing to inspect damage was able to submerge and return home, and later sail toBarrow for proper repairs.[3] On 2 May 1976,Warspite was alongside inLiverpool, when she suffered a fire in her diesel generator room, in one of the most serious incidents the Royal Navy's nuclear submarines have encountered. The fire filled the aft end of the submarine with dense smoke, making it very difficult for the submarine's crew to monitor the status of the reactor, andWarspite's commanding officer considered scuttling the submarine in the event that a reactor accident did develop. The fire was eventually extinguished with the aid of civilian firefighters from the Liverpool Fire Brigade after 41⁄2 hours. The submarine's Marine Engineering Officer,Lieutenant Commander Tim Cannon, was one of three crew members awarded theQueen's Gallantry Medal for their roles in the response to the fire. A further three crew members were awarded Queens Commendations for Brave Conduct[4][5]
Warspite underwent a two-year refit, which was nearing completion just as theFalklands War with Argentina started. After the war ended she carried out a record breaking patrol around theFalkland Islands and the Argentine coast.[6]Warspite conducted the longest duration submerged submarine patrol made public from the dates of 25 November 1982 to 15 March 1983. A total of 111 days was spent submerged and unsupported, covering 57,085 km (30,823 nmi; 35,471 mi).[7]
The submarine was decommissioned due to mechanical failure associated with the reactor in 1991. Mainly operated out ofHMNB Clyde, at Faslane (the former Clyde Submarine Base) with the Third Submarine Squadron. Her hull and reactor are currently laid up afloat atDevonport Dockyard,Plymouth until facilities are available for the long-term storage of her radioactive components.
Notable commanders of this vessel includeSandy Woodward.[6] Woodward went on to command the Falklands Conflict battle group, becameCommander-in-Chief Naval Home Command and rose to the rank ofadmiral.
HMSWarspite was joined by aBBC film crew during NATO military exercise 'Ocean Safari' in 1983. They documented the submarine's role in the exercise as an enemy submarine, offering a detailed view of life on board for its crew. The program was broadcast onBBC One in January 1985, as part of a six-film series documenting theRoyal Navy Submarine Service.[8]
