Venerable destroyer HMS Edinburgh showed off her turn of speed on the eve of her final foreign port of call. The last Type 42 destroyer performed a ‘maritime doughnut’ to test her manoeuvrability at full speed as she prepares to sail into the Big Apple.
Britain’s oldest destroyer, HMS Edinburgh, demonstrates her agility at the very end of her life, performing a ‘maritime doughnut’ in the Atlantic.
Britain’s last Type 42 destroyer – a fabled class of ship which have served their nation with distinction since the mid-70s – is in the final weeks of her 28-year active life.
She’s sailing into her final foreign port of call, New York, today for a high-profile farewell visit at the end of a six-month Atlantic deployment.
As for the ‘doughnut’, it was used to test both engines at full speed – over 30kts – turning left and right. To capture the moment, her 815 Naval Air Squadron Lynx was sent up with the ship’s photographer, LA(Phot) Dan Rosenbaum hanging out of the side door, camera at the ready.
“She may be getting on a bit, but Edinburgh has lost nothing of her power, speed and manoeuvrability over her years of service,” said her Commanding Officer, Cdr Nick Borbone.
Due back in Portsmouth at the end of the month, the Fortress of the Sea is due to conduct a farewell tour of the UK, including a visit to her namesake city and participation in 70th anniversary commemorations of victory in the Battle of the Atlantic, before a highly-charged final ceremonial entry into Portsmouth and a decommissioning ceremony in her home port in June.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, March 14, 2013; Image: Royal Navy