Ghost ship through the fog... HMS Ark Royal final trip.

The ghost ship: 'Mighty Ark' emerges through freezing fog to be greeted by cheering crowds as aircraft carrier returns to her home port for the last time

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 1:09 PM on 3rd December 2010

The commanding officer of HMS Ark Royal said that today was a 'sad day' as the aircraft carrier returned to its home port for the final time,after having been axed in the Government's defence review.

The Royal Navy's flagship arrived at Portsmouth Naval Base, Hampshire, following a farewell tour of the UK including the traditional shipbuilding centres of Tyneside and Clyde, Scotland.

Crowds of people braved the freezing weather to wave home the ship as it sailed through thick fog into port for the final time.

Emerging through the thick morning fog, HMS Ark Royal sails into Portsmouth for the final time after it was announced that it would be decommissioned as part of the Government's defence review

Ghost ship: Shrouded in fog, the Royal Navy flagship was guided into port by two attendant tugs

Ark Royal's farewell voyage took it around the north of Scotland and on into Newcastle, where it was built by Swan Hunter at Wallsend.

During the trip, it had its ammunition removed and four Harrier GR9 pilots took off from the deck for the last time marking the end of service for the jump jet, which is also being axed.

A flypast by the Harriers this morning was cancelled because of poor weather conditions.

Last month, the Queen made a farewell visit to the ship at Portsmouth at an event held to mark the ship's 25th anniversary in service.

Commanding officer Captain Jerry Kyd said: 'There is no question that there is a certain amount of sadness attached to this final deployment, but it is also an opportunity for us to celebrate the silver jubilee of this fine ship and for us to show her off once more.'

'She has played a very important role throughout her history and we have always been lucky enough to draw great affection and support from the British public wherever we go.'

'For me, personally, I have been exceptionally proud to serve as her captain - my very first job after finishing my initial officer training 25 years ago at Dartmouth was in the then-brand new HMS Ark Royal. It is therefore a great honour for me to be able to command her farewell tour as her last captain.'

'I am very fortunate to be at the helm of an exceptional crew, whose professional skills will be re-allocated and valued in the wider Royal Naval service, long after the ship herself has been decommissioned - so her work and memory will continue to serve the Royal Navy well.'

'I am only too aware that this famous ship and her iconic name mean so much to so many, but although Ark Royal will be decommissioned, the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers are vastly more capable and provide the Royal Navy with an exciting future.'

The Government decision to decommission Ark Royal three years early and also to scrap the Harrier force has been criticised by several retired Royal Navy admirals, including Admiral Lord West of Spithead.

In a letter to The Times, Lord West - a former Labour security minister - wrote: 'What is certain is that to fail to stand by the United States, when they have supported us in Europe over some 70 years, would be a mistake. The dispatch of a carrier, its small air wing and a Tactom-armed nuclear submarine, should any such crisis escalate, is just the sort of commitment an ally such as the United States requires. Nothing else in our military inventory has similar flexibility and adaptability.'

'What will be the next strategic shock? I cannot predict it - nor can the Government. To lose our maritime strike capability in such dangerous times is short-sighted.'

Affectionately known as The Mighty Ark, Ark Royal is set to be formally decommissioned next month with a farewell parade being held in Portsmouth to allow the city's residents a chance to give the ship and its 750-strong crew a final send-off.

The aircraft carrier is the fifth Ark Royal. The first saw battle in 1588 and was part of the fleet which smashed the Spanish Armada.

This latest, and possibly last, Ark Royal saw active service in the Balkans and in the second Gulf War.

It will be replaced by the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers, which will not come into service until the end of the decade. They will carry F35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft.

The role of flagship will in the short term be taken on by amphibious assault ship HMS Albion.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1335326/Ark-Royal-returns-Portsmouth-final-time.html#ixzz173h5TWOV