HMS Bristol ‘off to join’ task force

The 7,100-ton guidedmissile destroyer HMS Bristol slipped out of Portsmouth Naval Base today to join the Falklands task force.

Although the Ministry of Defence said it did not discuss operational movements, it is widely understood that Bristol is heading for the South Atlantic.

Several hundred relatives and friends lined the waterfront, waving goodbye as Bristol, the decks lined by her crew, left harbour… and there were tears as the ship sailed out of sight.

The new Type 42 destroyer, HMS Southampton, also left Portsmouth today, but she is on sea trials which are being accelerated in case she is needed for Falklands duties.