In defence of HMS Plymouth

So, here's the thing (it may be that it will be considered to be somewhat controversial):

HMS Plymouth is more important to Plymouth than the Mayflower.

There; I've said it.

Now, Mayflower 400 may well prove to be a big money spinner, if, as is hoped, thousands of American tourists suddenly descend on the Barbican in 2020. Quite what they will expect to see when they get there is another question altogether; I'm not sure that a few steps and a balcony marking the voyage of the Pilgrim Fathers will cut it somehow, even if they had been in the right place.

The current, former HMS Plymouth was built at Devonport Dockyard. She was the ninth Royal Naval ship to bear the name of this proud city. Her hull was laid down in 1958, and she was launched by none other than Nancy, Viscountess Astor in 1959 and commissioned into the Royal Navy in 1961.

HMS Plymouth is the last of her kind; she is, in all likelihood, the last Devonport built warship in existence. The very last one. The fuel that fired her boilers, coursing through her like the blood of the many thousands of Janners, proud Plymouth men and women, and their forebears who, through eight centuries of proud naval tradition, built and manned the ships that went into battle and defended this nation against those who wished us harm; discovered new lands and embarked on momentous voyages, pushing the boundaries of human endurance as they did so.

She is no side-note in Plymouth's long history; she is Plymouth!

Save HMS Plymouth!

Crikey - great first post! More important than the Mayflower, eh? An interesting viewpoint...