HMS Ark Royal has clocked up 621,551 nautical miles as part of her service Axed aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal will be given a final send-off later.
A decommissioning parade will take place in Portsmouth to mark the passing of the fleet flagship, which will be scrapped as part of government cuts.
About 250 sailors will take part to celebrate the affiliation between the warship and its home port at 1120 GMT.
The warship will be replaced by the Queen Elizabeth class of aircraft carrier, which will not come into service until the end of the decade.
Council leader Gerald Vernon-Jackson said the vessel had a “very special” place in the hearts of the people of the city.
“It’s only right to mark the passing of such a great ship,” he added.
“The strong association that Ark Royal has maintained throughout the last 25 years with the city of Portsmouth is immensely important”
Captain Jerry Kyd
The parade is due to take place in Guildhall Square, followed by a reception.
The aircraft carrier’s Commanding Officer Captain Jerry Kyd will also give a speech and present the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth with a ship’s white ensign.
Visitors will also be allowed on board over the weekend.
Capt Kyd said: “The strong association that Ark Royal has maintained throughout the last 25 years with the city of Portsmouth is immensely important.
“It is a real pleasure to be able to mark these links with a parade through the city, reception in the Guildhall and take the opportunity to open my ship to the public for the final time over the weekend.”
This version is the fifth Ark Royal. The first saw battle in 1588 and smashed the Spanish Armada.
During its busy life the ship clocked up 621,551 nautical miles and made her final entry to Portsmouth on December 3 following a farewell tour.
The decision to decommission the Ark Royal three years early and also cut the Harrier force has been criticised by several retired Royal Navy admirals including Admiral Lord West of Spithead, who said losing the ship in “such dangerous times” was “short-sighted”.
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