The Royal Navy ship HMS Intrepid, a veteran of the 1982 Falklands War between Britain and Argentina when the British sent out a naval Task Force to retake the Falklands Islands from the Argentine invaders, is being broken up.
Some important parts of the ship are to be kept as mementoes or sold on Ebay.
HMS Intrepid was where the Argentinians signed their surrender to end the war.
During the bloody war, which lasted just two months, 649 Argentinians were killed, 1,068 were wounded and 11,313 were taken prisoner.
258 British were killed, 777 were wounded and 117 were taken prisoner.
Argentina's decisive defeat led to the collapse of its Military Junta led by brutal dictator Leopoldo Galtieri.
Farewell to a warrior: Falklands veteran broken up (and you can claim a piece on eBay)
By Daily Mail Reporter
23rd January 2009
Daily Mail
Defeated: Argentinians sign their surrender to end Falklands War against the British in 1982
In her finest hour, she survived the threat of Argentine attack and became host to the historic signing of the surrender when Britain reclaimed the Falklands in 1982.
But now HMS Intrepid has come to the end of her distinguished career serving the nation.
In what will be a poignant sight for those who served on the assault ship, she is being taken apart in Britain's biggest recycling project.
Enlarge
Torn apart: The HMS Intrepid is demolished in Britain's biggest recycling operation to date
The specialist team dismantling the 520ft-long vessel aims to save almost 96 per cent of her materials. As a result, up to 11,000 tons of steel, iron and copper will be melted down and reused.
Half the aft section has already been removed after recycling work started last month at the dockyard in Liverpool.
Intrepid, along with her sister ship Fearless, was at the centre of the amphibious assault on the Falklands which ultimately led to the defeat of the islands' Argentine invaders.
Almost 96 per cent of the ship will be converted into reusable steel, iron and copper. Half of the aft section has already been removed
Enlarge
A bulldozer gets to work dismantling the vessel
As command HQ for Royal Navy commandos, she was home to almost 1,000 troops, 15 tanks and up to four Lynx attack helicopters. Many veterans wanted such a symbolic ship to be converted into a floating museum of the conflict.
More than 300 former crew members signed an online petition on the official No 10 website urging Gordon Brown to save the vessel.
They have been left disappointed and angry that work has already started while the petition still has until February 7 to run.
Enlarge
As one of the mainstays of the Falklands Task Force of 1982, HMS Intrepid played its part in one of the most important military chapters in recent UK history
Enlarge
'It just goes to show that the Government had no intentions of keeping her afloat
in the first place,' said one member of the Armed Forces on the official Intrepid veterans' website.
However, the 30 workers from Technical Demolition Services dismantling the 46-year-old vessel will save some parts.
'Some important items will be purchased by ship veterans as mementos and others purchased on eBay,' said managing director Tony Taperell.
Enlarge
Shipwreck: HMS Intrepid sitting at anchor in Portsmouth Harbour waiting to be scrapped in 2007
'The majority of materials are totally recyclable, such as anchor chains, the engines and winches.
'Plastic chairs from the mess room are sent to our recycling agents. Even the metal toilets will be used as they were designed or sold on as scrap.'
Enlarge
HMS Intrepid and her crew in 1981 before serving in the 1982 Falklands War against Argentina
After HMS Intrepid arrived at the TDS yard last September, she had to be cleared of hazardous materials such as asbestos before recycling began.
The MoD is carrying out the task in Britain after controversy in 2000 when two Navy vessels were sold to a German shipbreaker which sent them to India.
Enlarge
Former glory: The assault ship left Plymouth to join its sister ship, HMS Fearless, as part of the Falkland Islands Task Force
Still intact: The bow of the docked warship
dailymail.co.uk
Some important parts of the ship are to be kept as mementoes or sold on Ebay.
HMS Intrepid was where the Argentinians signed their surrender to end the war.
During the bloody war, which lasted just two months, 649 Argentinians were killed, 1,068 were wounded and 11,313 were taken prisoner.
258 British were killed, 777 were wounded and 117 were taken prisoner.
Argentina's decisive defeat led to the collapse of its Military Junta led by brutal dictator Leopoldo Galtieri.
Farewell to a warrior: Falklands veteran broken up (and you can claim a piece on eBay)
By Daily Mail Reporter
23rd January 2009
Daily Mail
Defeated: Argentinians sign their surrender to end Falklands War against the British in 1982
In her finest hour, she survived the threat of Argentine attack and became host to the historic signing of the surrender when Britain reclaimed the Falklands in 1982.
But now HMS Intrepid has come to the end of her distinguished career serving the nation.
In what will be a poignant sight for those who served on the assault ship, she is being taken apart in Britain's biggest recycling project.
Enlarge
Torn apart: The HMS Intrepid is demolished in Britain's biggest recycling operation to date
The specialist team dismantling the 520ft-long vessel aims to save almost 96 per cent of her materials. As a result, up to 11,000 tons of steel, iron and copper will be melted down and reused.
Half the aft section has already been removed after recycling work started last month at the dockyard in Liverpool.
Intrepid, along with her sister ship Fearless, was at the centre of the amphibious assault on the Falklands which ultimately led to the defeat of the islands' Argentine invaders.
Almost 96 per cent of the ship will be converted into reusable steel, iron and copper. Half of the aft section has already been removed
Enlarge
A bulldozer gets to work dismantling the vessel
As command HQ for Royal Navy commandos, she was home to almost 1,000 troops, 15 tanks and up to four Lynx attack helicopters. Many veterans wanted such a symbolic ship to be converted into a floating museum of the conflict.
More than 300 former crew members signed an online petition on the official No 10 website urging Gordon Brown to save the vessel.
They have been left disappointed and angry that work has already started while the petition still has until February 7 to run.
Enlarge
As one of the mainstays of the Falklands Task Force of 1982, HMS Intrepid played its part in one of the most important military chapters in recent UK history
Enlarge
'It just goes to show that the Government had no intentions of keeping her afloat
in the first place,' said one member of the Armed Forces on the official Intrepid veterans' website.
However, the 30 workers from Technical Demolition Services dismantling the 46-year-old vessel will save some parts.
'Some important items will be purchased by ship veterans as mementos and others purchased on eBay,' said managing director Tony Taperell.
Enlarge
Shipwreck: HMS Intrepid sitting at anchor in Portsmouth Harbour waiting to be scrapped in 2007
'The majority of materials are totally recyclable, such as anchor chains, the engines and winches.
'Plastic chairs from the mess room are sent to our recycling agents. Even the metal toilets will be used as they were designed or sold on as scrap.'
Enlarge
HMS Intrepid and her crew in 1981 before serving in the 1982 Falklands War against Argentina
After HMS Intrepid arrived at the TDS yard last September, she had to be cleared of hazardous materials such as asbestos before recycling began.
The MoD is carrying out the task in Britain after controversy in 2000 when two Navy vessels were sold to a German shipbreaker which sent them to India.
Enlarge
Former glory: The assault ship left Plymouth to join its sister ship, HMS Fearless, as part of the Falkland Islands Task Force
Still intact: The bow of the docked warship
dailymail.co.uk
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