Darren B. Hillman's photostream  

A different take on HMS Liverpool's last visit to her City. It's a different waterfront and a different city than the one she left when she went into RN service in 1982 after leaving Cammell Lairds...

Farewell.

Royal Navy destroyer HMS Liverpool (D92) berthed alongside Liverpool Cruise Terminal on the River Mersey during her farewell visit to the City. She is due to decommission from service at the end of March - yet another Type 42 to go into lay up pending disposal at Portsmouth after years of faithful service.

Given that she was built at Cammell Lairds, it would be a fitting tribute if she could bought from the MOD and be preserved here on the Mersey, but that is just wishful thinking on my part! Most likely she will end up being sunk as an artificial reef or be cut up for scrap in Turkey or India - a sad and undignified end to a fine vessel.

You only have to look at the parlous state of HMS Plymouth and HMS Bronington over the water in Birkenhead Docks to see that no-one on either Wirral Borough Council, Liverpool City Council or even Peel Ports gives a toss for our naval history or heritage.

I'll step down from my soapbox now!

Dutch-flagged coaster Eems Transporter seen alongside Cathcart Street steel berth in Birkenhead East Float waiting to sail after discharging a cargo of steel plate. Callers at this berth are few and far between and it was nice to be able to capture this example in good light for a change!

Shuttle tanker Aberdeen seen discharging a cargo of heavy crude oil at Tranmere South Oil Jetty on the River Mersey. Photo taken from New Ferry Esplanade.

Turkish-flagged mini-bulker Sultan Atasoy seen at Birkenhead Alfred Lock, inward from Ceuta.