The commanding officer of HMS Ark Royal has called it a "sad" day as the aircraft carrier returned to its home port for the final time earlier.
The Royal Navy fleet flagship arrived at Portsmouth Naval Base, Hampshire, following a farewell tour of the UK including Tyneside and Clyde, Scotland, after being axed in the Government's defence review.
Crowds of people braved the cold and ice to wave the ship home, flying a decommissioning pennant the length of the vessel, as it sailed into port for the last time through a thick fog.
Ark Royal's farewell voyage took it around the north of Scotland and on into Newcastle, where it was built by Swan Hunter at Wallsend.
During the trip, it had its ammunition removed and four Harrier GR9 pilots took off from the deck for the last time marking the end of service for the jump jet, which is also being axed.
A flypast by the Harriers this morning was cancelled because of the weather conditions.
Last month, the Queen made a farewell visit to the ship at Portsmouth at an event held to mark the ship's 25th anniversary in service.
Category
🗞
News