Warship HMS York open to public at Hull's King George Dock
A ROYAL Navy warship will open her gangway to the public this weekend before she is decommissioned.
HMS York, a Type-42 destroyer, arrived into Hull's King George Dock last night.
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HMS York is at Hull's King George Dock this weekend
On Sunday, members of the public will be given the opportunity to take a look around the 5,200-tonne ship.
HMS York, launched in 1982, is set to be decommissioned later this month.
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Commander Rex Cox, commanding officer of HMS York, said: "This visit is one of celebration and appreciation of the sterling service this exceptional ship has offered her country during her 27 years at sea.
"To be bringing her back home to Yorkshire is, without question, not only the absolute pinnacle of this celebration but also a very poignant and dignified moment in her long and illustrious career.
"I sincerely hope as many locals as possible will make the journey to King George Dock to visit the ship on Sunday when we open to the public.
"It allows us, in our own small way, to return the hospitality and affection extended to us for many years before bidding our final fond farewell."
Five members of the ship's company hail from Hull and the East Riding.
HMS York, constructed in Wallsend, Tyne and Wear, was the last Type-42 destroyer built.
During her life, she has chalked up more than 750,000 miles and operated in hostile waters around the world.
She played a key role in the Iraq War in 2003 and helped evacuate British nationals from Beirut during the 2006 Lebanon crisis and last year's Libyan uprising.
Royal Navy spokeswoman Fiona Holland said Type-42s are being replaced by Type-45s.
She said: "HMS York has come to the end of its natural life."
Ms Holland said a shuttle bus service will run from 10am to 3.30pm on Sunday for people wanting to take a look around the 141-metre ship.
Visitors should drive towards the P&O Hull to Rotterdam terminal, where they will be directed to a car park.
The bus will ferry visitors to the ship's berth.
Ms Holland said: "Most of the deck will be open to the public and members of the ship's company will be available to talk to."
On Saturday, crewmen and women will march through the streets of York, where the ship was granted the freedom of the city in 1991.
Comments
by john7p
Tuesday, September 18 2012, 10:42AM
“Our football team played against a selected XI from the HMS York on Monday night. Good game, great set of lads just too bad we sent them back to the ship with an 8-1 defeat to think about. Sorry lads but good luck with ur new ship.”
by Redjin
Monday, September 17 2012, 10:44PM
“I took my Mum and we both a brilliant time.
Yes there was a fair bit of waiting but even we were surprised by just how many people turned up.
The lads on board were wonderful and very informative, offering little tidbits of information without being prompted. It just showed their passion for the job and they all made us feel welcome onboard.
One lad thanked us for 'going to see them' AWWWWW!”
by jan6kids
Monday, September 17 2012, 7:01PM
“i took my family yest waited for ages but it was worth it,but ppl took babies and very young kids which i think they should have had the brains not to,cos they got bored with the wait and they dont understand what it was all about,i think no under 10s should have been aloud...also it would have been a good idea to do it over two days,and a little shop van would have been good to buy a drink ect!!!”
by Smudge-Smiff
Monday, September 17 2012, 12:41PM
“Dragged myself and my family out of bed early and got there at 09:45 knowing that is was going to be popular. Got on the second coach and straight onboard. My two boys, wife and myself had a great time onboard, ships company were very polite and happy to answer any questions. I nice trip down memory lane after leaving the Royal Navy 14 years ago. The ship and its crew are a credit to the Royal Navy.
Its no-bodies fault that it was so popular. You all just know to get their early next time a Royal Navy ship is in dock.
So long HMS York...............”
by Northern_Red
Sunday, September 16 2012, 10:59PM
“Arrived at 12:30pm and got parked and in the queue, managed to get aboard the ship at 3:45pm..
Whilst waiting to board the ship i got chatting to an officer and he said that they did not expect a fraction of the people to turn up that did... they had to control numbers on board the ship due too health and safety regulations and this made it slow..
My sympathy to the people that traveled from out of town to be turned away..
It was poorly organised by the port authorities as well though as they never put enough coaches on to sufficiently shuttle the visitor round to the destroyer and security meant being unable to just wander across the port.. This made it frustrating...
They even extended the visiting times to accommodate the waiting crowds.. people was still waiting to board when i left the ship at around 4.45pm...”
by india7
Sunday, September 16 2012, 8:42PM
“My family got knocked back having being told there were too many people on the ship. We had three year old - unable to fully understand- who couldn't stop crying...”
by 750Pat
Sunday, September 16 2012, 7:50PM
“@ jo-jo - we went and managed to get into the car park but couldn't get parked, saw the queue and left. On the way out a car coming in asked the lone security guard if it was worth waiting and got the reply 'I'm only here to direct traffic'. A friend queued for over 3 hours...
I feel sorry for all the people who, like yourself, travelled a long distance to be met by this shambles.”
by jo-jo
Sunday, September 16 2012, 6:53PM
“What a waste of a 50 mile round trip for my family. Make the journey only to be told sorry there's to many visitors so you can't get on the dock.
Good idea to allow the public to view the ship but why not do it over two days so more people could see it and speak to the crew members !!
So disappointed and what a waste of fuel.
As it was so busy could the local radio notify the situation. ? O'no that's thinking ahead ain't it............
Bet there was lots of disappointed folk today.”
by 750Pat
Sunday, September 16 2012, 9:44AM
“The bus (and parking) is free - it is used from a secure compund so public are not left wandering around the dock on their own. I used to wander all around the dock when warships were open in the past.”
by Northern_Red
Saturday, September 15 2012, 11:53PM
“for those interested... the ship leaves dock at 8pm Tuesday”