Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Thousands turn out to welcome carrier
TENS of thousands of people lined the walls of Portsmouth harbour to welcome the UK’s £3 billion aircraft carrier which has berthed at its home port for the first time.
The HMS Queen Elizabeth arrived alongside Portsmouth Naval base where the Royal Navy’s newest and biggest ship will be based for its estimated 50-year lifespan.
The 919ft (280m), 65-000 tonne vessel has been undergoing training and tests at sea after setting out from Rosyth dockyard in June.
Those on board and watching from the shore were treated to two separate flypasts of Royal Navy helicopters, the first featuring a Sea King, two MK2 Merlins and two MK3 Merlins, which were then joined by two Hawk jets for the second.
Defence secretary Sir Michael Fallon said: “Today we welcome our mighty new warship, HMS Queen Elizabeth, to her home for the very first time.
“She is Britain’s statement to the world: a demonstration of British military power and our commitment to a bigger global role.
“The thousands of people across the UK who have played a part in building her and her sister ship, HMS Prince of Wales, should be immensely proud as our future flagship enters Portsmouth.
“She has made good progress in sea trials and will now embark on the next phase of preparations that will see the return of Britain’s carrier strike ability.
“When she enters service she will help keep Britain safe at a time of increased threats, able to fill multiple roles from providing air power anywhere at any time to fight future campaigns, supporting allies or delivering humanitarian aid.”
A flotilla of craft followed the behemoth aircraft carrier as she sailed into the Solent before heading into Portsmouth, where, at its narrowest point, there was less than 66ft (20m) clearance on each side.
With boots polished and caps perfectly placed, all the ship’s available company stood at the edge of the vessel as she arrived in the harbour and naval base.
Commander Darren Houston could be heard saying over the tannoy to those on the shore: “Good morning, Portsmouth.”
Some of the keen well-wishers had camped out over on the Round Tower, the traditional spot in Old Portsmouth to view navy ships leaving and arriving at the base, in order to get a good view.