Iconic artefacts and systems aboard retired Royal Navy ship HMS Northumberland removed amid uncertain future
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Historical artefacts aboard a decommissioned Royal Navy frigate have found a new home.
Mementos from HMS Northumberland have been returned to their home county. The Type 23 frigate was towed to Portsmouth in May following her retirement, and was seen in rough condition.
The ship’s bell and battle honours board have been recovered and placed into the care of Northumberland County Council, with the upper deck name plate being donated to Bede Academy in Blyth. HMS Northumberland was decommissioned following 30 years of service, with repairs and refits to extend her life not being deemed economically viable.
Anything of use to the rest of the Type 23 flotilla or wider fleet, and historical items, have all been removed. The ship’s sponsor Lady Anne Kerr and first Commanding Officer Captain Steve Bramley formally presented the bell and battle honours board to the county council for display at County Hall in Morpeth.
Another former Commanding Officer, Commodore Tristram Kirkwood, joined Dr Caroline Pryer, Lord Lieutenant of Northumberland, to hand over the name plate to the academy; it will be displayed in the entrance alongside images of the activities of the Combined Cadet Force. More than 200 leading regional figures were hosted by Regional Commander Commodore Tom Knowles, as well as councillors Glen Sanderson and John Beynon.
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Cdre Tom Knowles said: “The Royal Navy is extremely proud of its continued friendship and affiliation with Northumberland. So, it is with an immense sense of pride knowing that these important artefacts will be looked after and cherished by the Council, who intend to site the Ship’s Bell and Battle Honours board on public display in County Hall for the community to be able to visit and see.”
Cllr Sanderson added: “We value our relationship with the Royal Navy – historically it has played an important part in our region and we look forward to continuing to support the service today and in the future. We are proud to receive the Ship’s Bell and Battle Honours board.”
Reports suggest that HMS Northumberland may be scrapped due to her state of disrepair, a fate which has befallen many of her sister ships. HMS Monmouth was towed to Turkey and placed into the hands of a recycling firm in April.