HMS Southampton (D90)

HMS Southampton was a batch two Type 42 destroyer of the Royal Navy. She was named after the city of Southampton, England, and built by Vosper Thornycroft, in Southampton. She was the sixth Royal Navy ship to bear the name. This ship was an important part of the Royal Navy's fleet, helping protect the seas and support naval operations.

Operational service

1981–2005

In 1984, Southampton hit a buoy off Portland during a practice exercise. This damaged the ship and it needed repairs. After that, Southampton spent six months guarding the Falklands Islands. In 1988, while escorting ships through the Straits of Hormuz, Southampton bumped into a big cargo ship. A few crew members got hurt, and the ship had to return to the UK for fixes.

2006–2011

In 2006, the ship helped catch a big amount of cocaine in the Caribbean.

Fate

On July 31, 2008, Southampton was placed in a state called "Extended Readiness" and was officially taken out of service on February 12, 2009. The ship was sold at an auction on March 28, 2011, and was later moved from Portsmouth on October 14, 2011 to a scrapyard in Aliağa, Turkey.

Affiliations

The HMS Southampton had many important connections and supporters. It was linked to the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, No. 25 Squadron RAF, and the City of Southampton. Other groups included the Worshipful Company of Fletchers, the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, and schools like Canford School and Mill Hill School. The ship also had ties to veteran groups, the Royal Southampton Yacht Club, local business groups, and many more organizations in the Southampton area.