With the announcement made today that the Swan Hunters built ship HMS Ark Royal is to be scrapped I wonder if there is a possibility the ship could be brought to the river of its' birth.
The ship is an aircraft carrier but apparently is quite small by carrier standards.
Could the vessel be used as a hotel, conference centre, tourist attraction etc ?
Ships which have come to the end of their working lives have been found alternative uses elsewhere.

it would be a fantastic museum of north east ship building

It would be. Maybe in Wallsend?
Problem is the fact that I imagine that in the cuts tomorrow culture (i.e museums) will be the ones having the biggest cuts- the arts and museums will stuggle to maintain their current pleaces never mind develop new ones. It would have been a great attraction for Tyneside but it will be lost due to the short sighted and pretty much shittiness of the current 'coalition' government.

With the announcement made today that the Swan Hunters built ship HMS Ark Royal is to be scrapped I wonder if there is a possibility the ship could be brought to the river of its' birth.
The ship is an aircraft carrier but apparently is quite small by carrier standards.
Could the vessel be used as a hotel, conference centre, tourist attraction etc ?
Ships which have come to the end of their working lives have been found alternative uses elsewhere.

Just trying to imagine the Ark Royal turned into a huge floating night club and sitting under the tyne bridge on the old Tuxedo mooring :nuts:

Yeah, what the city is really missing is some kind of floating night club based on a boat.

I think they may struggle to get it under the Millenium Bridge to be honest. They could moor it at the end of the Ouseburn though- Spillers Quay isnt it? The pub up the hill in Byker would complain though- it would no doubt affect their view.

The Boat Mark 2 :D

I sure hope something is done with it, hope the government isn't so desperate for pennies they need the scrappage money.

.
There is already a very recent proposal to return the below ship to the river . . .


New bid to get cruise ship Vistafjord as a
Riverside Hotel or Museum on the Tyne
August 24th 2010, by Tony Henderson, Evening Chronicle

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/nechronical/aug2010/7/2/paul-haggie-130840059.jpg

A BID has been launched to bring the last cruise liner built on the Tyne back to the river.

The Vistafjord was built by Swan Hunter in 1973 for the Norwegian America Line.

She later became the Cunard liner Caronia and is now operated by Saga Cruises as the Saga Ruby.

Now former diplomat Paul Haggie is calling on councils and other organisations in the North East to start planning to return the ship to the Tyne when she retires, which is thought to be in around eight years’ time.

His proposal is to use the liner as a floating hotel which would add another dimension to the Tyne’s growing prominence as a cruise ship destination.

This year 25 cruise liners will have visited the Tyne and another 19 are booked already for next year.

Mr Haggie grew up in High Pit, Cramlington, Northumberland, where his father George ran the local garage.

He was educated at Newcastle Royal Grammar School and Manchester University, where he studied maritime history for a PhD.

He then served in the diplomatic corps in Thailand, Pakistan and South Africa before retiring.

Mr Haggie, who is carrying out historical naval research, said the Saga Ruby was the also the last liner to be built in the UK.

He said: “The UK has failed to maintain any of its cruise liners and this is our last chance to recognise this shipbuilding heritage.

“The proposal is to maintain the Saga Ruby on the Tyne where she could generate revenue for the region.

“Her use as a hotel would give visitors the experience of staying on a cruise liner and allow them more time to visit the many North East attractions than the day or two usually available to passengers on calling ships.

“The idea would be to take over the ship as she retires, so avoiding the costly process of the liner being laid up.”

Mr Haggie said one location for the ship could be the north bank of the Tyne where there are plans for a major regeneration scheme running from Walker in Newcastle to North Tyneside.

“To acquire and return this classic Tyne-built cruise liner when she is withdrawn from service for transformation into a floating hotel and museum ship would serve as a centrepiece for the regeneration project and as a living witness to the area’s maritime heritage,” he said.


Read More - http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2010/08/24/new-bid-to-get-cruise-ship-vistafjord-home-72703-27125404/



One man’s vision to bring ship home
August 25th 2010, by Tony Henderson, The Journal


Retired diplomat Paul Haggie lives next door to a distinguished naval neighbour that serves as a reminder of his North East past.

Mr Haggie, who grew up in Cramlington, Northumberland, now lives at Chatham Historic Dockyard in Kent where one of the exhibits is HMS Cavalier, a ship which spent 12 years at the former Hawthorn Leslie shipyard in Hebburn.

South Tyneside Council spent £300,000 in the hope of making the ship the focal attraction of a permanent national shipbuilding exhibition.

But when a bid for lottery funding failed, HMS Cavalier went to Chatham, where Nelson’s flagship HMS Victory was launched in 1765.

Now naval historian Mr Haggie is determined the Tyne will not lose another key ship.

This week he is in the North East, where his mother lives, for meetings over plans to bring the cruise liner Saga Ruby back to the river where she was built.

The Saga Ruby was the last cruise liner built on the Tyne and, indeed, in the UK. She was launched in 1972 as the Vistafjord by Swan Hunter for the Norwegian America Line. She later became the Cunard liner Caronia and is now operated by Saga Cruises, which bought the ship in 2003 and gave her a major refit in 2005.

Mr Haggie is calling on councils and other bodies in the North East to start planning to return the ship to the Tyne when she retires, around 2018.

His proposal is to use the liner as a floating hotel, alongside the Tyne’s reputation as a cruise ship destination.

Mr Haggie said one location could be the north bank of the Tyne where there are plans for a major regeneration from Walker to North Tyneside.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2010/08/25/one-man-s-vision-to-bring-ship-home-61634-27130102/


Correct me if i'm wrong. But did we not just remove a large docked ship from the quayside?


this ship is far larger than the tuxedo princess/royale ferries.



Indeed yes . . .

http://i698.photobucket.com/albums/vv345/manorpark_photos/TyneShip001.jpg

Regardless of logistics, isn't it affiliated with Leeds, even though you can't exactly get an aircraft carrier close to Leeds. So it probably wouldn't happen.

If anything, HMS Tyne would be the appropriate one, but it isn't that big and is only about 10 years old.

It's a nice idea though.

Good grief I wouldn't want to see another boat under the Tyne bridge, the old one was pretty shabby by the end.
I would like to see a ship used in a more upmarket way, perhaps like the old royal yacht Britannia at Leith near Edinburgh, but on a larger scale.

HMS Ark Royal demise : We will not forget our fine old lady
October 20th 2010, by Sara Nichol, Evening Chronicle

http://momedia.kyte.tv/mv/bor/1010/19/08/2662961-arkroyal14_460_345.jpg?v=20101019T113002Z&h=f9903a6721da294af0bd4ab18e093c8d

http://momedia.kyte.tv/mv/bor/1010/19/08/2662951-arkroyal2_460_345.jpg?v=20101019T112941Z&h=9d4f623d62c1088e0471f568abf65c2c

SHE was the giant of the sea and the pride of Tyneside shipbuilding.

But HMS Ark Royal meant much more to the thousands of shipyard workers who spent four years building the Royal Navy’s flagship aircraft carrier.

And now, after the revelation that the 20,000-tonne vessel will become a casualty of Government cuts, one former Swan Hunter worker has spoken of his pride at the ship’s impressive 25-year lifespan which began on the banks of the Tyne.

Gren Bilton understands the sad reality that defence vessels such as Ark Royal, built in Wallsend’s Swan Hunter site in the late 70s, eventually become outdated and need replacing.

But the 75-year-old, of Benton, Newcastle, the former chief inspector of the Quality Assurance Department, said he would never forget the happy memories or life-long friends made during his time with the ship.

http://momedia.kyte.tv/mv/bor/1010/19/08/2662850-arkroyal11_332_345.jpg?v=20101019T112955Z&h=10cce2ec3227afd84987a96d559fc785

He said: “I suppose we have to be realistic. The ship is more than 20 years old and so it will cost more to maintain than newer vessels.

“I suppose it does make sense. If the money can be used in another way on defence, in a better way, then it’s a sign of the times and that’s where the money should go. Ships do become outdated, sadly.

“It’s very sad to see a ship you’ve worked on come to the end of its lifespan but it’s like buying a car, one day it will cost more to repair than to replace.

“You have to learn to let go. It’s had a good lifespan and created a lot of happy memories for a lot of people, which will never be forgotten.

“Someone has thought that the money would go to better use elsewhere in defence and you have to accept that, ships don’t last forever.


Read More - http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2010/10/20/focus-on-demise-of-historic-hms-ark-royal-72703-27509696/#ixzz12uBnZVPB

The idea of having her as a hotel or museum on the Tyne is far too good for it to actually ever happen. Doesn't have to be on the quayside as it would never get under the Millennium bridge but somewhere like maybe Wallsend or more likely North Shields would be great. Someone said it is affiliated to Leeds? Stuff that for a laugh. Maybe it is but when has she ever been there? She's been back on the Tyne dozens of times including a couple of visits in the last few years.

I wonder if there will be an attempt to bring her here?

Some may say there is a potential conflict with the (existing) Vistafjord proposals.

For me, I would go for both, and we might get one!!

The idea of having her as a hotel or museum on the Tyne is far too good for it to actually ever happen. Doesn't have to be on the quayside as it would never get under the Millennium bridge but somewhere like maybe Wallsend or more likely North Shields would be great. Someone said it is affiliated to Leeds? Stuff that for a laugh. Maybe it is but when has she ever been there? She's been back on the Tyne dozens of times including a couple of visits in the last few years.

Well yeah, you can't exactly get our biggest ship to Leeds, but it is officially affiliated with Leeds. We have HMS Example affiliated to the area (the tiny boat outside HMS Calliope) and HMS Tyne affiliated to North Tyneside. That isn't massive either, but I suppose HMS Northumberland, at a stretch, could be based on the Tyne.

For Ark Royal, considering it is currently the Royal Navy's flagship at the minute, and also the size of it, surely Portsmouth would be the only place to actually keep it.

I mean, would there really be demand for it as a hotel in the eastern parts of the river? Is there anyone who would buy it and undertake the massive task and cost of converting it? It would cost millions. Even to make it a museum would be a huge project.

Unfortunately, I very much doubt there would be much, if any, public money available for it as well.

Honestly. I'd love it to happen. I think it'd be great. I can just see it being sold for scrap/research to another Commonwealth country, but even then, which Commonwealth country? India first came to mind, but I think they're currently building 2 of their own new aircraft carriers.

Well yeah, you can't exactly get our biggest ship to Leeds, but it is officially affiliated with Leeds. We have HMS Example affiliated to the area (the tiny boat outside HMS Calliope) and HMS Tyne affiliated to North Tyneside. That isn't massive either, but I suppose HMS Northumberland, at a stretch, could be based on the Tyne.

For Ark Royal, considering it is currently the Royal Navy's flagship at the minute, and also the size of it, surely Portsmouth would be the only place to actually keep it.

I mean, would there really be demand for it as a hotel in the eastern parts of the river? Is there anyone who would buy it and undertake the massive task and cost of converting it? It would cost millions. Even to make it a museum would be a huge project.

Unfortunately, I very much doubt there would be much, if any, public money available for it as well.

Honestly. I'd love it to happen. I think it'd be great. I can just see it being sold for scrap/research to another Commonwealth country, but even then, which Commonwealth country? India first came to mind, but I think they're currently building 2 of their own new aircraft carriers.

You are probably right but who knows ?
The Indians are building their own carriers these days and Brazil have recently bought and old French ship.
There were plans to develop the old Swan Hunter site as a multiversity for the Marine industries they were hoping to atrract to the region, but things have gone quiet on that front.
The ship could have been a nice centre piece for that.
I would hate to see the Ark Royal scrapped at Hartlepool, where another old French carrier is currently being scrapped, without some effort being made to see if a more positive use could be made of her.

The Ark Royal will be paying one last visit to the Tyne soon.
http://www.navynews.co.uk/news/958-the-queen-thanks-ark-royal-for-25-years-of-loyal-service.aspx

Queen says farewell to HMS Ark Royal
November 6th 2010, Evening Chronicle

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/nechronical/nov2010/4/5/hms-ark-royal-the-queen-queen-elizabeth-501573042.jpg

FLAGSHIP of the fleet, the Tyne-built HMS Ark Royal was given an emotional send off by the Queen.

The aircraft carrier, built at the famous Swan Hunter’s shipyard in Wallsend, is to be taken out of service in the wake of Government defence cuts announced last month.

The decision, along with the early retirement of the Harrier jets, will leave the Navy without the capability of launching fixed-wing aircraft from a carrier until replacement ships and aircraft come into service in up to 10 years’ time.

The Captain of HMS Ark Royal said, "this day is very much for Ark Royal. We are delighted the Queen is visiting on and it’s all about the ship’s company, their friends and families.”

The ship is to sail next week for a farewell tour to Tyneside and Clydeside, before returning to Portsmouth for the final time on December 3 before it is decommissioned in the new year.

Capt Kyd said a decision on its future had yet to be decided but explained the options were scrapping, being sold to another country or being used for parts for sister ship HMS Illustrious.

Ark Royal was entered service on July 1 1985 and was commissioned in the presence of the Queen Mother four months later.

The construction cost was £320m but the ship was delivered by Swan Hunter four and a half months ahead of schedule.


Read More - http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2010/11/06/queen-says-farewell-to-hms-ark-royal-72703-27613148/#ixzz14VnlGcnD

I don't think we will see the Ark Royal back on the Tyne in any permanent way judging by that article, she will probably be stripped and any useful equipment canabilised for use with other Naval vessels, as a has happened with other ships.
Pity.

HMS Ark Royal is paying a final visit to the Tyne, to the Northumbrian Quay, this Friday at 1 o'clock. http://www.portoftyne.co.uk/business-divisions/marine-and-environmental-services/shipping-movements/expected-shipping/

HMS Ark Royal's final return to the Tyne
November 20th 2010, by Kim Carmichael, The Journal

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/nejournal/nov2010/5/4/hms-ark-royal-239808239.jpg

A HERO’S welcome greeted one of our region’s finest as HMS Ark Royal returned to the river where she was built, for one last visit.

Some 25 years on from the days when she first sailed out of Wallsend’s Swan Hunter yard the North East saluted the naval vessel as scores of well-wishers lined the banks of the Tyne to watch her elegantly sail through the river mouth.

The flagship vessel carried 600 crew members into North Shields, 50 of whom are originally from the region.

For some crew members the poignancy of the moment was too much as tears were shed in the Ark’s honour.

Captain Jerry Kyd, who has served on the Ark Royal since she was built, said: “Coming back to the North East is always a special event, no more so than today as this is the last time we will bring the ship to the place of her birth. For myself and the ship’s company, it is a very poignant day.

“I’m just overawed and so grateful for the support we received from the thousands of people who came today.”

Thousands of visitors are expected to tour the 22,000-tonne aircraft carrier, which houses aircraft such as the Harrier GR9, Merlin and Sea King helicopters.

The ship is open to visit today and tomorrow between 10am and 3.30pm.

Visitors are advised to use public transport as parking at Northumbria Quay and Royal Quays is very limited.

The ship will leave for Hamburg at 3pm on Tuesday.

She will then return to Portsmouth to await a final decision on her likely decommissioning date.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2010/11/20/hms-ark-royal-s-final-return-to-the-tyne-61634-27683461/#ixzz15oOmSmxe

HMS Ark Royal's final return to the Tyne
November 20th 2010, by Kim Carmichael, The Journal

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/nejournal/nov2010/5/4/hms-ark-royal-239808239.jpg

A HERO’S welcome greeted one of our region’s finest as HMS Ark Royal returned to the river where she was built, for one last visit.

Some 25 years on from the days when she first sailed out of Wallsend’s Swan Hunter yard the North East saluted the naval vessel as scores of well-wishers lined the banks of the Tyne to watch her elegantly sail through the river mouth.

The flagship vessel carried 600 crew members into North Shields, 50 of whom are originally from the region.

For some crew members the poignancy of the moment was too much as tears were shed in the Ark’s honour.

Captain Jerry Kyd, who has served on the Ark Royal since she was built, said: “Coming back to the North East is always a special event, no more so than today as this is the last time we will bring the ship to the place of her birth. For myself and the ship’s company, it is a very poignant day.

“I’m just overawed and so grateful for the support we received from the thousands of people who came today.”

Thousands of visitors are expected to tour the 22,000-tonne aircraft carrier, which houses aircraft such as the Harrier GR9, Merlin and Sea King helicopters.

The ship is open to visit today and tomorrow between 10am and 3.30pm.

Visitors are advised to use public transport as parking at Northumbria Quay and Royal Quays is very limited.

The ship will leave for Hamburg at 3pm on Tuesday.

She will then return to Portsmouth to await a final decision on her likely decommissioning date.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2010/11/20/hms-ark-royal-s-final-return-to-the-tyne-61634-27683461/#ixzz15oOmSmxe



I took a trip down to the Royal Quays today to have one final look.

The place was chaos, people everywhere. It just goes to show that people will come to North Shields if there is actually something worth visiting.

I hope the council took note of the visitor numbers.

.

The idea of having her as a hotel or museum on the Tyne is far too good for it to actually ever happen. Doesn't have to be on the quayside as it would never get under the Millennium bridge but somewhere like maybe Wallsend or more likely North Shields would be great. Someone said it is affiliated to Leeds? Stuff that for a laugh. Maybe it is but when has she ever been there? She's been back on the Tyne dozens of times including a couple of visits in the last few years.

You need to do a bit of reading about Ark Royal Day in Leeds, and how her company (in peacetime) annually matches through the city.
http://www.culture24.org.uk/asset_arena/9/61/16169/v0_master.jpg
http://www.bbc.co.uk/leeds/features/get_together/ark_royal/images/ceremony_270.jpg

Ark Royal has been affiliated with Leeds since 1940 - that’s three ships to have the name (91, R09 and R07). When the third Ark Royal (91) was sunk off Gibraltar, the people of Leeds through their own charity raised the money for a replacement - £9m in 1942 – the target was only £5m. God knows what it is now.

Two weeks ago the ships company said farewell to Leeds at Elland Road during the match against Bristol City. Anyway, the Ark should come home to Newcastle as a museum ship, operated by the Royal Armouries in Leeds (so she has connections to both).

balls! I missed the arc royal. Would have liked to see it.

Campaign to keep HMS Ark Royal's name
November 30th 2010, by James Moore, Evening Chronicle

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/nechronical/nov2010/6/8/hms-ark-royal-on-its-last-journey-from-tyneside-last-week-a-campaign-has-been-set-up-to-save-the-name-when-she-is-decommissioned-366721318.jpg

CAMPAIGNERS are fighting to keep the iconic HMS Ark Royal name after the Tyne-built aircraft carrier is taken out of service.

The ship has been decommissioned three years early as part of the Government’s defence cuts and some fear the name will die along with it.

The Invincible Class warship, built in Wallsend’s Swan Hunter site in the late 70s, has performed 25 years of proud service.

It is the fifth ship to be named the Ark Royal, with the first seeing action as the flagship in 1588 during the Spanish Armada.

The name is known around the world and has become synonymous with the British Navy’s proud history.

There are no plans to name another ship Ark Royal, although Prime Minister David Cameron has said he would like to see the name live on.

In a bid to make sure the Ark Royal name is not consigned to the history books one man who served on the ship has launched an online campaign.

Mark Davis served for three years as a communications rating on the Ark Royal between 1975 and 1978 during a 26-year career in the navy. He has set up a Facebook group called ‘Save the Ark Royal Name’ and has also written to the Prime Minister about the issue.


Read More - http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2010/11/30/campaign-to-keep-hms-ark-royal-s-name-72703-27739407/#ixzz16mbAs4iS

Anyway, the Ark should come home to Newcastle as a museum ship, operated by the Royal Armouries in Leeds (so she has connections to both).

A very good idea.

The comments on this thread are interesting, the idea of bringing Ark Royal back to the Tyne is interesting, but so far that is all we have . . .
"interesting comments".

Does anyone have any thoughts as to how to go about getting a campaign going?

Earlier in this thread I referred to the current campaign to bring the Vistafjord back to the Tyne - HERE . . .

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=65636977&postcount=8

Does anyone want to start a serious campaign?

I could start things off by telling the Journal and Evening Chronicle about the idea / this thread?

I didn't realise Ark Royal was 1 of 3 aircraft carriers of the same type (Invincible class aircraft carrier (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invincible_class_aircraft_carrier)).

The HMS Invincible (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Invincible_(R05)) has been put up for sale on a military disposal website:

Ex-Navy ship HMS Invincible in website auction

HMS Invincible has been put up for auction on a military disposal website.

Invincible is being sold by the the Disposal Services Authority, which says it has secured receipts of more than £900m for the MoD in the past 16 years.

The Barrow-built light aircraft carrier, which has an estimated metal weight of 10,000 tonnes, will "almost certainly" be sold for scrap, said naval expert Jon Rosamond.

HMS Invincible was decommissioned after 25 years' Royal Navy service in 2005.

Mr Rosamond, editor of Jane's Navy International, said: "It has been offered by the MoD for non-warlike purposes.

"Even if someone did want to take it on as a going concern it would never be used as an aircraft carrier again."

Work began on Invincible at Barrow in 1973 and the ship entered active service seven years later.

Prince Andrew was on board Invincible as a Sea King helicopter pilot during the Falklands War.

Bids for the ship, which is based in Portsmouth, have to be in by 5 January.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-11872743

http://i698.photobucket.com/albums/vv345/manorpark_photos/Newcastle%202/ArkRoyal-4thDecember2010_0002.jpg

http://i698.photobucket.com/albums/vv345/manorpark_photos/Newcastle%202/ArkRoyal-4thDecember2010_0004.jpg

Can you imagine the costs involved in converting HMS Ark Royal into a Hotel/Conference Centre and the upkeep costs of a metal object which floats in the water - if you can imagine it, then you will realise she will not be coming to the Tyne.

There was of course a suggestion that she comes back to Swan Hunter's Wallsend Yard, but that was to be scrapped.

Tyne warship Ark Royal could become London heliport
By Alastair Craig, The Journal, February 21st 2011


TYNESIDE shipbuilding icon HMS Ark Royal could be turned into a floating heliport serving City tycoons in London.

Defence chiefs have revealed the warship could be moored on the Thames, near London City Airport, and staffed by up to 150 veterans of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope, the head of the Navy, has said the plan could safeguard the ship’s future.

If plans to adopt the ship as a heliport come into being, the Ark Royal could be moored on the Royal Docks by May 2012, in time for the opening of the Olympic games.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/breaking-news/2011/02/21/tyne-warship-ark-royal-could-become-london-heliport-61634-28205710/#ixzz1Ea9DdSfR

Lot of 'coulds' in that story!

If London really needed a floating heliport, I'm sure there could ... b*gg*r, it's catching... be more economically viable ways of providing one.

On Tuesday at 10pm (Feb 22nd) on the discovery channel there is a new mini series starting covering HMS Ark Royals final mission. More info here, http://www.yourdiscovery.com/video/hms-ark-royal-ark-royals-final-mission/

Tyne warship Ark Royal could become London heliport
By Alastair Craig, The Journal, February 21st 2011


TYNESIDE shipbuilding icon HMS Ark Royal could be turned into a floating heliport serving City tycoons in London.

Defence chiefs have revealed the warship could be moored on the Thames, near London City Airport, and staffed by up to 150 veterans of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope, the head of the Navy, has said the plan could safeguard the ship’s future.

If plans to adopt the ship as a heliport come into being, the Ark Royal could be moored on the Royal Docks by May 2012, in time for the opening of the Olympic games.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/breaking-news/2011/02/21/tyne-warship-ark-royal-could-become-london-heliport-61634-28205710/#ixzz1Ea9DdSfR

I can't believe London is in desperate need of another Heliport.
It already has the City airport as well as being surrounded by some of the biggest airports in Europe - if not the world.
London also has floating attractions such as Cutty Sark and HMS Belfast.
Ark Royal would be just one more tourist attraction among thousands in London.
Ark Royal brought back to the Tyne could make a much more substantial impact here.
What London doesn't really need it gets and what we need we don't get :ohno::nuts:

Won't happen.

Won't happen.

Just been reading a piece in the Whitley Bay Gurdian newspaper about another Tyneside link with HMS ARK ROYAL. Palatine Beds at Westerhope have secured a contract to refurbish the Carriers 600 mattresses by removing their covers, re-padding then re-covering. The mattresses are then to be returned to the Royal Navy Stores in Portsmouth for use on other Ships.

The coalition has left the UK less well defended as another piece of Tyneside shipbuilding passes into history.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-12706441

Might just be me, but I don't envisage a sea-borne invasion any time soon. Still, we all know why they need to cut costs so much...

As for using the Ark Royal as a huge floating museum, I can't see it being financially viable up here. Besides, all public buildings has to have disabled access. I know it isn't a building, but would it not fall under similar rules by being used as a public museum?

Anyone fancy placing a bid?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12883511

Anyone fancy placing a bid?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12883511

It will probably be re-cycled for razor blades.
Invincible, it's sister ship is heading for a Turkish breakers yard.
This government knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.:ohno:

It will probably be re-cycled for razor blades.
Invincible, it's sister ship is heading for a Turkish breakers yard.
This governmenty knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.:ohno:

Well the leg sections from a Rig that is being demolished in the North Sea is due to be towed into the Tyne in early April 2011 to be scrapped at the former Swan Hunter Wallsend Yard. Small beer by comparison with the work that the scrapping of Ark Royal would create.

Sent from my iPad using SSC Forums

Well the leg sections from a Rig that is being demolished in the North Sea is due to be towed into the Tyne in early April 2011 to be scrapped at the former Swan Hunter Wallsend Yard. Small beer by comparison with the work that the scrapping of Ark Royal would create.

Sent from my iPad using SSC Forums

Perhaps the company who are scrapping the bits of old oil rig will bid to buy the Ark Royal for recycling at the Swans site.
I remember a yard down the coast at Hartlepool brought an old French aircraft carrier to scrap.

Perhaps the company who are scrapping the bits of old oil rig will bid to buy the Ark Royal for recycling at the Swans site.
I remember a yard down the coast at Hartlepool brought an old French aircraft carrier to scrap.

Well it would be nice to see Swan Hunters Wallsend Yard being put to use, now that us North Tyneside Tax Payers actually own it. I'm sure that I'm right in saying that the former owner of Swans, Jaap Kroese, did obtain a licence to scrap vessel at Wallsend but that idea did not get off the ground owing to the fact that he thought the British Government should give him decommissioned vessels for nothing.

The location on Teeside you mention is TERRC - Teesside Environmental Reclamation and Recycling Centre operated by Able UK Ltd. The French Aircraft Carrier currently being scrapped is the LE CLEMENCEAU (Q790).

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Interesting article in tonight's (Wednesday 20th July 2011) Evening Chronicle . .
http://i698.photobucket.com/albums/vv345/manorpark_photos/Newcastle%203/HMSArkRoyal_0001.jpg
http://i698.photobucket.com/albums/vv345/manorpark_photos/Newcastle%203/HMSArkRoyal_0002-1.jpg


Article and more photos here - http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2011/07/20/what-could-become-of-ark-royal-72703-29087638/
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Tycoon Freddy Shepherd's bid to buy Ark Royal
by Rob Pattinson, Sunday Sun, July 24th 2011

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/sundaysun/jul2011/1/8/freddy-shepherd-536103438.jpg

TYNESIDE tycoon Freddy Shepherd has launched a sensational bid to bring HMS Ark Royal back to the shipyard where she was built.

The former NUFC chairman wants to create up to 200 jobs by bringing the decommissioned aircraft carrier back to Swan Hunter’s dry dock, in Walker, Newcastle, and if the ‘cradle to grave’ move is successful, Shepherd Offshore hope to employ the sons and grandsons of those who built the ship to take her apart.

The Geordie bidders don’t want to see the proud warship turned into a hotel, or conference venue – they say that’s an ungraceful end for a vessel which has served Britain with such honour for three decades. Instead they believe using components from the Ark Royal to create wealth in the now run-down community where she was built, would be the most fitting legacy.

Bid bosses have also confirmed they will allow those who originally worked on the building of the Ark Royal to board her one final time.

There are also hopes the ship would be opened to the public.

Freddy Shepherd said: “The Ark Royal was born on Tyneside and we want it to be her final resting place. We want families here to have the benefit of her proud history. “If our bid is successful we aim to create hundreds of jobs and any proceeds from the project will be reinvested in the area to create more employment and wealth for local families in the future.

A considerable cash offer is understood to be behind the Shepherd O’Brien bid.

The high cost of dealing with the decommissioned Ark Royal means other bidders have based their proposal on being given the ship for free.


Read More - http://www.sundaysun.co.uk/news/north-east-news/2011/07/24/tycoon-freddy-shepherd-s-bid-to-buy-ark-royal-79310-29110126/

Tycoon Freddy Shepherd's bid to buy Ark Royal
by Rob Pattinson, Sunday Sun, July 24th 2011

TYNESIDE tycoon Freddy Shepherd has launched a sensational bid to bring HMS Ark Royal back to the shipyard where she was built.

The former NUFC chairman wants to create up to 200 jobs by bringing the decommissioned aircraft carrier back to Swan Hunter’s dry dock, in Walker, Newcastle, and if the ‘cradle to grave’ move is successful, Shepherd Offshore hope to employ the sons and grandsons of those who built the ship to take her apart.

The Geordie bidders don’t want to see the proud warship turned into a hotel, or conference venue – they say that’s an ungraceful end for a vessel which has served Britain with such honour for three decades. Instead they believe using components from the Ark Royal to create wealth in the now run-down community where she was built, would be the most fitting legacy.

Bid bosses have also confirmed they will allow those who originally worked on the building of the Ark Royal to board her one final time.

There are also hopes the ship would be opened to the public.

Freddy Shepherd said: “The Ark Royal was born on Tyneside and we want it to be her final resting place. We want families here to have the benefit of her proud history. “If our bid is successful we aim to create hundreds of jobs and any proceeds from the project will be reinvested in the area to create more employment and wealth for local families in the future.

A considerable cash offer is understood to be behind the Shepherd O’Brien bid.

The high cost of dealing with the decommissioned Ark Royal means other bidders have based their proposal on being given the ship for free.


Read More - http://www.sundaysun.co.uk/news/north-east-news/2011/07/24/tycoon-freddy-shepherd-s-bid-to-buy-ark-royal-79310-29110126/

Of course the final death knell to Swan Hunters was the fact that the then owner (Japp Kroese) wanted the British Government to give him the ex Royal Navy vessels (HMS Intrepid) to demolish, the rub being that he wanted them to be given on a free gratis basis. The Wallsend Yard was in 2006 (not sure if things have changed) was the only shipyard in the UK licensed to break up ships.

Good luck to Shepherd Offshore on this bid as at least the scrapping of The Mighty Ark would remove any embarrassment that could be caused in the future if the proposals such as using her as an exhibition centre don't come off and she is left to rot as happened with the QE2.

Of course the Wallsend Yard is currently being used to scrap parts from a North Sea Gas Platform, although there will be no further deliveries of parts from that particular contract but at least it led to jobs, albeit temporary contracts.

Here is a scan of an article that ran in the Newcastle Journal of 25th July 2006:

http://www.fototime.com/7EDD1CBF0A35468/orig.jpg

I'm really not convinced by the "graceful end" argument Shepherd's putting forward here. When all's said and done, he wants to make money out of scrapping the ship, end of story. It's hardly as if the work from scrapping it will provide work for Walker for generations, miraculously transforming the area. I don't blame them for bidding though, scrapping ships is what they do, but this sentimental stuff is rubbish.

Personally I'd rather the ship was kept in use - it's a perfectly good, working vessel, so scrapping it before its time is a huge waste of resources. And even if it is scrapped, they really ought to use it as a helipad on the Thames for a few years beforehand - it saves building one for the games.

I'm really not convinced by the "graceful end" argument Shepherd's putting forward here. When all's said and done, he wants to make money out of scrapping the ship, end of story. It's hardly as if the work from scrapping it will provide work for Walker for generations, miraculously transforming the area. I don't blame them for bidding though, scrapping ships is what they do, but this sentimental stuff is rubbish.

Personally I'd rather the ship was kept in use - it's a perfectly good, working vessel, so scrapping it before its time is a huge waste of resources. And even if it is scrapped, they really ought to use it as a helipad on the Thames for a few years beforehand - it saves building one for the games.

Well I think you have to read between the lines and see if the 'sentimental stuffing' is that of the journalist rather than the businessman Shepherd.

As to perhaps this idea not bringing work for future generations, well its the old saying 'from tiny acorns massive oaks grow'. Once founded as a major ship breaker the Tyne could well become a major centre of employment and with the large number of rigs and platforms in the North Sea that will shortly require scrapping it could well last for generations.

Well speakig as someone with very close connections with Ark Royal - I like the plan.

Like is perhaps a strong word. I would like her doing her job for the next few years as fleet flag ship.

As someone who has known the ship intimatley from build to her last days in service, there would be a sad but peaceful satisfraction seeing her come back to where she was made to be dismantled.

And yes that is a sentimental point of view. Anyone who really knew Ark Royal - and many other ships - will tell you they have a wierd kind of personality. Ark certainly displayed hers on her last trip round the top in the Pentland Firth.

Bring the bugger back, pull her guts out onto a Tyneside slipway rather than a Turkish beach and if Freddie makes a few quid - good for him.

Well I think you have to read between the lines and see if the 'sentimental stuffing' is that of the journalist rather than the businessman Shepherd.

As to perhaps this idea not bringing work for future generations, well its the old saying 'from tiny acorns massive oaks grow'. Once founded as a major ship breaker the Tyne could well become a major centre of employment and with the large number of rigs and platforms in the North Sea that will shortly require scrapping it could well last for generations.

"£19bn to dismantle aged North Sea oil platforms"
The cost of dismantling North Sea oil and gas platforms is forecast to reach £19bn over the next 30 years.
A new report by industry specialists said there were about 260 platforms to be decommissioned.
Consultants Deloittes and Douglas-Westwood said the work presented "big opportunities" for those in the industry.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-11472352

Well I think you have to read between the lines and see if the 'sentimental stuffing' is that of the journalist rather than the businessman Shepherd.

As to perhaps this idea not bringing work for future generations, well its the old saying 'from tiny acorns massive oaks grow'. Once founded as a major ship breaker the Tyne could well become a major centre of employment and with the large number of rigs and platforms in the North Sea that will shortly require scrapping it could well last for generations.

I'd have thought that Shepherd would happily spin the sentimental stuff if it got him public support to use to back his plans. I don't blame him one bit, I'd probably do the same thing.

And as for turning the Tyne shipyards into ship-breakers, that is admittedly a very good point. If you can break up the Ark Royal, you'd have a very good example to put forward for future work.

I'd still like to see the ship made use of for as long as possible though.

I'd have thought that Shepherd would happily spin the sentimental stuff if it got him public support to use to back his plans. I don't blame him one bit, I'd probably do the same thing.



With the current state of the economy I wouldn't have though GB PLC would have given a jot about any public support, its all down to 'pounds , shillings and pence' and of course the 'green credentials' :)

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And yes that is a sentimental point of view. Anyone who really knew Ark Royal - and many other ships - will tell you they have a wierd kind of personality. Ark certainly displayed hers on her last trip round the top in the Pentland Firth.



Well I heard the Mighty Ark was under a tremendous strain owing to the additional heavy cargo taken onboard for the trip round to the Tyne :lol:

With the current state of the economy I wouldn't have though GB PLC would have given a jot about any public support, its all down to 'pounds , shillings and pence' and of course the 'green credentials' :)

I agree - unless you can create a huge public outcry about something, it'll just come down to money. Still, as I say, Shepherd'll add whatever weight to his case he can.

And as for green credentials, I think they're quietly being chucked out of the window in favour of the "pounds, shillings and pence"!

It's all about the Benjamins...

I'd take it that. I'd rather have 200 temporary jobs coming here then no jobs at all coming here. Also it could as other have said very well be the first foot step of us setting up our own ship dismantling industry.

If the bid to scrap Ark Royal here is succesful then perhaps more ships could follow, HMS Illustrious is due to be decommisioned in 2014.
http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/local/east-hampshire/hms_illustrious_raring_to_go_after_40m_refit_1_2787306

NE1 seems to be thinking 'outside the box' on ideas for regenerating the city. Could they not purchase The Ark and set it up on the quayside as a conference venue / visitor centre. Could park it at the cleared Spillars site?

Alternatively, NGI could buy it, moor it on the Gateshead side beneath the Tyne Bridge, turn it into a floating night club and rename it er....The Boat!

NGI could buy it, moor it on the Gateshead side beneath the Tyne Bridge, turn it into a floating night club and rename it er....The Boat!


Well, the two floating nightclubs we had there were called 'Tuxedo Princess' and 'Tuxedo Royale', so I suppose this one could be called . . . (you guessed it) . . .

TUXEDO ARK-ROYALE

Well, the two floating nightclubs we had there were called 'Tuxedo Princess' and 'Tuxedo Royale', so I suppose this one could be called . . . (you guessed it) . . .

TUXEDO ARK-ROYALE

Nice one :)
Anyway, I think it would not be a fitting end just to scrap it - think of the tourist potential here?

Nice one :)
Anyway, I think it would not be a fitting end just to scrap it - think of the tourist potential here?

Think of the cost of maintaining such a vessel, would be a dismal end if they ended up like the two Tuxedo's. Tuxedo Princess was considered so far gone that the plans to transform her into a floating restaurant in Greece were quickly changed and she was scrapped in Turkey.

Poor old Tuxedo Royale was waterlogged the last time I saw a photograph of her in the Tees with water filling her car decks.

So rather than seeing a fine Tyne built ship rotting away after the money has run out, I for one would rather she was sympathetically demolished or sunk to form a diving reef.:colbert:

Think of the cost of maintaining such a vessel, would be a dismal end if they ended up like the two Tuxedo's. Tuxedo Princess was considered so far gone that the plans to transform her into a floating restaurant in Greece were quickly changed and she was scrapped in Turkey.

Poor old Tuxedo Royale was waterlogged the last time I saw a photograph of her in the Tees with water filling her car decks.

So rather than seeing a fine Tyne built ship rotting away after the money has run out, I for one would rather she was sympathetically demolished or sunk to form a diving reef.:colbert:

HMS Belfast on the Thames has been there as a visitor attraction for a number of years. So why not the same for the Ark Royal?

AS

HMS Belfast on the Thames has been there as a visitor attraction for a number of years. So why not the same for the Ark Royal?

AS

Probably due to the heavy tourist footfall in London and a bit of a difference in size :shifty:

Plan to sink warship Ark Royal sails closer

by Alastair Craig, Evening Chronicle Jan 2 2012

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/nechronical/nov2010/6/8/hms-ark-royal-on-its-last-journey-from-tyneside-last-week-a-campaign-has-been-set-up-to-save-the-name-when-she-is-decommissioned-366721318.jpg

PLANS to sink Geordie warship HMS Ark Royal to the bottom of the English Channel to create a diving reef have taken a step forward.

Bidding for the decommissioned Tyneside-built aircraft carrier has closed, after it was put up for sale following its axing by the Government.

It had been advertised on a Ministry of Defence auction website and a bizarre array of ideas emerged from groups keen to buy the ship, which was built at Wallsend’s Swan Hunter yard.

Wreck the World, which aims to turn the 210-metre vessel into a reef off the coast of South Devon, has received £6.5m from two companies to back its bid to send the historic ship to a watery grave just 30 years after she was launched in 1981.

The 22,000 ton Invincible Class carrier could be in the water as soon as this summer if the bid is successful. Scrap metal firm GH Newbery and Son and defence engineering firm A&P Falmouth have agreed to pay the £3.5m cost of buying the vessel and act as £3m financial guarantor.

Read More http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2012/01/02/plan-to-sink-warship-ark-royal-sails-closer-72703-30047080/#ixzz1iUsPanaF

Of all the options, this one gets my approval. Freddie's plan to bring her home for scrap is a nice one, but ultimately if she gets sunk, she sort of lives on for ever. As someone who knew her very well from slipway to her final days under the white ensign, I think sinking is the best option.

The reality in my opinion? She'll get dragged onto a Turkish beach and butchered.

HMS Belfast on the Thames has been there as a visitor attraction for a number of years. So why not the same for the Ark Royal?

AS

I think its a bit sad that no one could finance such a project but I suppose the finance is the stumbling block, that and a lack of foresight and ambition, perhaps.

People seem to think that Ark Royal is massive because she is an aircraft carrier but by carrier standards the ship is pretty small.
20,000 tons compared to 65,000 tons which will be the size of the new carriers currently under construction.
Here's a mock up.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-uUkf_pHt-Y/TF2HRY1eiqI/AAAAAAAAFjk/pjYerk60rpE/s1600/qe-class-aircraft-carrier-alongside-hms-illustrious-at-rosyth.jpg

I think its a bit sad that no one could finance such a project but I suppose the finance is the stumbling block, that and a lack of foresight and ambition, perhaps.

People seem to think that Ark Royal is massive because she is an aircraft carrier but by carrier standards the ship is pretty small.
20,000 tons compared to 65,000 tons which will be the size of the new carriers currently under construction.


Great visual interpretation - wonder what the name of the Frigate to the right hand dock is?

Hundreds of jobs could be created at Belfast's shipyard if a novel bid to buy the former flagship of the Royal Navy, HMS Ark Royal, is successful.

Lisburn-based businessman Malcolm McMullen wants to lead the transformation of the decommissioned ship into a humanitarian disaster response ship - and for historic shipyard Harland and Wolff to fit it out.


Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/hms-ark-royal-could-be-converted-into-hospital-ship-16100902.html#ixzz1jRD8v35Q

Hundreds of jobs could be created at Belfast's shipyard if a novel bid to buy the former flagship of the Royal Navy, HMS Ark Royal, is successful.

Lisburn-based businessman Malcolm McMullen wants to lead the transformation of the decommissioned ship into a humanitarian disaster response ship - and for historic shipyard Harland and Wolff to fit it out.


Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/hms-ark-royal-could-be-converted-into-hospital-ship-16100902.html#ixzz1jRD8v35Q


Sounds a very plausible plan but I wonder how much it would cost per annum to run Ark Royal in the proposed role?

Its not going to happen. Every old British carrier that gets decommissioned attracts stuff like this.

The previous Ark had similar madcap plans, as did Invincible, Bulwark and Albion.

The work needed to get Ark back to sea would be huge and very expenive. It would be cheaper to either convert a marchant ship to something like the USS Mercy or build something designed to do the job.

Ark's electrical system is destroyed, the sewage and desal plants are u/s. she has no engines, broken diesels, the list goes on....

Much of her innards have been stripped as spares for her sister Illustrious..

I have to declair an interest here. I knew Ark from the shipyard to the end of her life. I truly love this ship, but really want the saga of her future over.

The best solution is to sink her as a reef. Do it with dignity, with no ceremony and at night.

The fact is that with steel prices so high, and with Leyal Industries now having a good track record of disposing of an Invincible in 8 months, that my beloved brave wonderful ARK R will make one final journey and end up as little more than a smear of oil on the sands of the Aegean sea.

The best solution is to sink her as a reef. Do it with dignity, with no ceremony and at night.



You should know that is just sentimental hog wash - it would be covered in its entirety by the worlds press :ohno:

You should know that is just sentimental hog wash - it would be covered in its entirety by the worlds press :ohno:

True Steve.

If the ship was to be converted wouldn't she be completely refitted and modernised anyway ? I think one of the advantages is that Ark Royal already has a platform for helicopters to operate from which could only increase her effectiveness as a hospital ship, it would certainly help in emergency situations.
As for the option of sinking the vessel at night, wouldn't that increase the risks to the people doing the work ?

If the ship was to be converted wouldn't she be completely refitted and modernised anyway ? I think one of the advantages is that Ark Royal already has a platform for helicopters to operate from which could only increase her effectiveness as a hospital ship, it would certainly help in emergency situations.
As for the option of sinking the vessel at night, wouldn't that increase the risks to the people doing the work ?

The flight deck is about the only bit that is cheap. Ark is a very complex specialised ship. Many of her systems and parts are only one of 3 to be built. You cant just get parts. The gearboxes for example are unique to the 3 sisters. Complex hand built and built by a firm long defunct. The aircraft lifts need specialist support. They too are unique.

No engines. To put the old ones back in you would be facing huge fuel bills. New ones would cost a fortune to re engineer.

Add to that her age. A 30 year old hull that has no upkeep for over a year. She already had bad corrosion problems when she was in service.

Its just pointless trying to do anything but scrap or sink her. Night or day.

The flight deck is about the only bit that is cheap. Ark is a very complex specialised ship. Many of her systems and parts are only one of 3 to be built. You cant just get parts. The gearboxes for example are unique to the 3 sisters. Complex hand built and built by a firm long defunct. The aircraft lifts need specialist support. They too are unique.

No engines. To put the old ones back in you would be facing huge fuel bills. New ones would cost a fortune to re engineer.

Add to that her age. A 30 year old hull that has no upkeep for over a year. She already had bad corrosion problems when she was in service.

Its just pointless trying to do anything but scrap or sink her. Night or day.

I bow to your in-depth knowledge, it does seems by what you say the problems may be insurmountable.
Pity, but as you say maybe people just getting carried away.
I remember the Africa Mercy being refitted as a hospital ship on the Tyne, there were delays but I think it was because of the financial problems at Cammel Laird who were doing the work that time.
It was a standard commercial vessel and not a warship so perhaps the people looking into this would be better off going down that route.

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More on the above storyline, in the Evening Chronicle today . . .

New hope for Swan Hunter built warship Ark Royal
by Alastair Craig, Evening Chronicle, February 15th 2012


DOOMED Tyne-built warship the HMS Ark Royal could become a floating hospital sent to disaster zones around the globe. Bids for the decommissioned aircraft carrier were invited over the summer after it was axed in a Government spending review.

Its sale was advertised on a Ministry of Defence auction website and sparked a bizarre range of proposals from groups keen to buy the ship, which was built at Wallsend’s Swan Hunter yard.

Proposals for the vessel include sinking it to the bottom of the English Channel to act as an artificial diving reef or converting it into a casino in Hong Kong, but an 11th hour proposal could provide a more dignified future for the Royal Navy’s former flagship – transforming it into an international floating hospital.

London-based billionaire philanthropist Mark Jones has bankrolled a bid for the 600ft vessel with hope of using it to bring aid to disaster zones worldwide. Mr Jones’ associate, Northern Ireland businessman Malcolm McMullen, wants to lead the transformation of the ship into a humanitarian disaster response ship – and he wants famous Belfast shipyard Harland and Wolff to fit it out.

The MoD is expected to make a final decision from a range of bids next month.


Read More - http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2012/02/15/new-hope-for-swan-hunter-built-warship-ark-royal-72703-30335916/#ixzz1mU2fSEHx

I think we now have a definitive response to the question posed in the title.... and it's a no.

HMS Ark Royal sold for scrap by Ministry of Defence

HMS Ark Royal was decommissioned at a ceremony in its home base of Portsmouth

Aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal is being sold for £3m for scrap metal by the Ministry of Defence to help tackle a multi-billion pound defence deficit.

The removal of the Royal Navy's former flagship from service in 2011, five years early, was a "difficult but necessary decision", the MoD has said.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19535911

Courtesy of the BBC News Site @ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-22541019

Ark Royal leaves Portsmouth for scrap yard

20 May 2013 Last updated at 04:41

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/67618000/jpg/_67618532_003791539-1.jpg


Large crowds are expected to gather in Portsmouth later to watch aircraft carrier Ark Royal leave the port for the final time.

The Royal Navy's former flagship was decommissioned early following the 2010 defence review and is being towed to Turkey for scrap.

As part of a £2.9m deal she will go to the same yard that took her sister ship Invincible.

Former crew members are expected to watch as she leaves at about 13:00 BST.

The Invincible Class aircraft carrier saw active service in Bosnia and led UK naval forces during the invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Formally decommissioned in 2011, the Harrier jets that flew from Ark Royal were sold as spares to the US.

BBC defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt said the move was heavily criticised at the time.

New carriers using the joint strike fighter will not enter service for nearly 10 years.

A bid to sink Ark Royal and turn it into an artificial diving reef off the Devon coast was rejected as were plans for a commercial heliport in London, a nightclub and school in China and a casino in Hong Kong.

The Ministry of Defence said the bids were judged either "not feasible or appropriate", or carried "too much risk".

Some photographs of HMS Ark Royal as she arrives in the Port of Tyne, 8th February 2008.

http://www.fototime.com/51214BA43EA6AE0/orig.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/310436E45762624/orig.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/D82D075F18BA8DF/orig.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/0DE000723EAC758/orig.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/96C984D3AE2E576/orig.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/F918008CA44556A/orig.jpg
Images hosted on www.steve-ellwood.org.uk

HMS Ark Royal - R07 outbound from the Port of Tyne, North East England on 28th February 2010. Videoed from Western Quay, North Shields.

lIaRhBv9pZo