Royal Navy: HMS Bristol future addressed amid rumours of scrapping Portsmouth-based Falklands destroyer

The former HMS Bristol, a Type 82 destroyer, has been spotted in Portsmouth amid rumours that it is going to be scrapped. The vessel was decommissioned in the city October 28, 2020.

Speculation on social media said the vessel is being prepared to be scrapped in September. Asked whether that is the future of HMS Bristol, a Royal Navy spokeswoman said: “At this time no decision has been made on the future of HMS Bristol.”

The warship was launched on June 30, 1969, and commissioned on March 31, 1973 - featuring four new weapons and electronic systems. This included the Sea Dart anti-aircraft and Ikara anti-submarine missile systems, alongside the Mk 8 gun.

She became the only vessel of her class, designed to escort the CVA-01 aircraft carriers which were projected to be introduced in the 1970s. Under the 1966 Strategic Defence Review, plans to build the CVA-01 - to replace the Second World War carriers - were cancelled alongside the rest of the Type 82 destroyers.

Before her role in The Falklands War, she was used to trial new computer and weapons systems. A boiler fire which destroyed her steam plant in 1974 nearly crippled her, but the vessel was able to soldier on before it was repaired in 1976. She was fitted and prepared for frontline service in 1979.

In 1981, HMS Bristol served as the Royal Navy flagship during exercise Ocean Safari, with her being refitted ahead of the conflict against Argentina. She led the Bristol group of reinforcement ships and joined Task Group 317.8. HMS Bristol was used in an anti-aircraft role after HMS Coventry was hit and sunk on May 25, 1982. She was the flagship for part of the conflict up until September 17, before being replaced by HMS Illustrious.

HMS Bristol was regularly used in deployments up until a refit in 1984. Another boiler explosion caused extensive damage, with her becoming a training ship in 1991 - permanently being berthed at Whale Island.