Petition set up to save historic Falklands warship berthed in Wirral

Apr 18 2012 by Linda Foo Guest, Heswall News

A PETITION has been set up to save an historic Falklands warship berthed in Wirral from being scrapped.

HMS Plymouth is currently languishing at East Float Dock and is the only surviving warship from the Falklands Conflict in 1982.

The News has previously revealed that she is destined to the scrap heap later this year – the 30th anniversary year of the Falklands conflict.

The 53-year-old warship played an integral part in the war, and the ward room was where the Argentinean forces in South Georgia signed their surrender.

In a bid to save the stricken battleship, an e-petition has been set up on the government website, and 348 signatures has so far been collected.

The campaign was set up by Mark Gentry under the heading “Save Falklands Veteran HMS Plymouth”.

Mr Gentry served in the Royal Navy and is a Falklands veteran.

He told the News: “It’s deeply insensitive to scrap her in the Falklands 30th anniversary year, I’m so annoyed. It should be saved for the nation as a memorial to those who lost their lives in the conflict, and for veterans like me to go onboard and visit the chapel.

“She has survived this long and is good condition. She should be saved and not be allowed to become razor blades. Please sign this petition and help to save this ship.”

After her decommissioning, she was saved by the Warship Preservation Trust and opened to the public in Wirral in 1991. The visitor attraction closed in 2006 when the company went into liquidation.

Peel Ports, which owns the dock, confirmed a deconstruction contract has been agreed with a specialist company in Turkey.

Former Royal Navy mechanic, Stephen McArdle, from Wallasey, is disgusted the historic warship is being sold off.

He added: “What right do a private firm have to sell off part of our history?

“I ask everyone to please sign petition and help to save her.”

To sign the petition visit HM Government e-petition at http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/32526