End of the line for HMS Lancaster after 34 years

ONE of the longest careers of any modern British warship ended yesterday as HMS Lancaster docked in Bahrain for the final time.

- DEAN MURRAY

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 will be able to return home for Christmas.

Launched by Her Majesty 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.

Her Majesty's sponsorship helped ensure Lancaster regularly made headlines, most notably in 2014 when she posed with nearly 200 sailors in a famous photograph on the ship's bow.