HMS Lancaster bows out after 34 years of distinguished service

Lancashire's warship HMS Lancaster arrived in Bahrain for the final time before Christmas - ending one of the busiest and longest careers of any major British warship.

- by Post Reporter

HMS Lancaster arriving in Bahrain for the final time

Flying her paying-off pennant - a ribbon-like White Ensign whose length reflects her 34 years of service - as she sailed into harbour, she was greeted by a 34-gun salute and the Band of His Majesty's Royal Marines from HMS Collingwood in Fareham providing the appropriate musical accompaniment.

The 4,500-tonne warship powered down her engines after completing 4,097 days at sea and travelling 816,000 nautical miles - equivalent to 37½ times around the world or almost two return trips to the Moon.

The final plans for Lancaster are to be confirmed, and the majority of her crew were able to return home for Christmas.

Launched by Queen Elizabeth II on the Clyde in 1990 and named after the Duke of Lancaster - a title held by the monarch - HMS Lancaster was commissioned into the Royal Navy in May 1992.

The late Queen remained a frequent visitor throughout the ship's service, attending key milestones and private visits.

Based in Portsmouth for the vast majority of her career before transferring to Plymouth, HMS Lancaster spent her final three years operating from the UK Naval Support Facility in Bahrain, where she proved to be exceptionally effective on operations.

She was the first ship on task in the Red Sea during heightened threat activity in December 2023 and completed numerous narcotics seizures totalling around £150 million. Her most recent drug bust saw Royal Marines snipers disabling a fast boat from the ship's Wildcat helicopter.