Farewell Fortress

Tuesday 21st May will be a day that will go down in history. HMS Edinburgh the last (and finest Type 42 Destroyer) sailed from her namesake city for the very last time.  As she departed the Royal Marines Band played many tunes from the former Royal Yacht Britannia, also present was a lone piper who played Highland Cathedral (which should be the Scottish National Anthem).  As The Fortess came broadside with Britannia, the former yachties who were onboard raised three cheers for HMS Edinburgh, off course Commander Borbone (being the gent he is) returned the three cheers.  It was a very emotional event and I struggled to keep the camera in focus with my wet eyes.

BRAVO ZULU HMS EDINBURGH and Commander Borbone, you shall be missed. 

I hope the Type 26 Frigate will be named after the Cities and keep the name going!!!

HMS Edinburgh is seen here sailing from her home for the last time :'-(

HMS Edinburgh - Final Day In Edinburgh

HMS Edinburgh is seen here in her namesake city for the last time, she sailed for the last time the following morning..

Onboard HMS Edinburgh

A few more images from onboard HMS Edinburgh, Sunday 19th May 2013, a few from on deck and below.

Life is heaven onboard D97!

HMS Edinburgh Freedom Of The City / Celebration Parade

Friday 17^th May 2013 marked a historic day for HMS Edinburgh and her crew have paraded through the Capital to celebrate the decommissioning of the 30-year-old ship.

Hundreds of people lined the Royal Mile to watch around 250 officers and other service personnel march from the Palace of Holyrood house to the City Chambers, led by a navy brass band and drummers.

Outside the Chambers, the crew stopped to salute Lord Provost Donald Wilson and later returned for a reception.  They later returned for a reception where the provost was presented with a picture of the warship.

HMS Edinburgh and her crew were previously granted the freedom of the city and the march is known as a privilege parade.

Commander Nick Borbone said: “Edinburgh is our spiritual home, so it’s a highlight of our tour.”  "It's one of the cities we visit most, so to be able to pay our respects and let the people of Edinburgh look over what is really their ship will be great before we go back to Portsmouth and decommission.  "Myself and many of the crew are strongly attached to the ship, so this will be a particularly emotional visit."  "This trip marks the end of the ship and the life of the type-42 Destroyer, so it's really significant.

"Edinburgh is our spiritual home, so it's a huge highlight of our tour.  "It's one of the cities we visit most, so to be able to pay our respects and let the people of Edinburgh look over what is really their ship will be great before we go back to Portsmouth and decommission.

The crew are seen here in The Royal Mile