HMS Onyx - to be scrapped??

She is currently moored at Barrow.
I've been told that she is to be towed to Ireland and scrapped.

Seems a shame. I would have thought that she would have found a home at the Dock Museum at Barrow. Current financial climate , I suppose.

All we will be left with is this:

http://www.baesystemseducationprogramme.com/games-and-multimedia/interactive-learning/index.php#onyx-submarine

I suppose that is the problem - still a bit too modern. (She gave very good service in the Falklands.)

Well it looks as if HMS Alliance is now fairly safe.

(I'm not speaking about our 3 collecting boxes but the £3m lottery grant!)

Hi Guys.

Is there anything new to report on the Onyx please?

As you may have heard, HMS Plymouth, alongside which the Onyx was berthed for 14 years here in Birkenhead, is also due to go for scrap.

We think this would be a great shame and would like to see these two berthed alongside each other once more.

Grateful for any info.

Cheers.

Martin Slater,
Secretary HMS Plymouth Association.
p.s. We still haven't given up hope of a last minute reprieve for the Plymouth and will fight on till the bitter end!!

I only know from fellow club members at Barrow in Furness Model Boat Club but apparently she is still to be scrapped.

Enquiry of "North West Daily News" may give the latest info.

David

marjack126 wrote:Hi Guys.

Is there anything new to report on the Onyx please?

As you may have heard, HMS Plymouth, alongside which the Onyx was berthed for 14 years here in Birkenhead, is also due to go for scrap.

We think this would be a great shame and would like to see these two berthed alongside each other once more.

Grateful for any info.

Cheers.

Martin Slater,
Secretary HMS Plymouth Association.
p.s. We still haven't given up hope of a last minute reprieve for the Plymouth and will fight on till the bitter end!!

Why would you want to save these two vessels?

A fair question. I can't speak for HMS Plymouth and there are other O class boats on show. I feel that Onyx would fit in well at the Barrow Dock Museum and provide some draw for visitors.

Having said that putting subs on display costs money and the Dock Museum (Like everyone else) is short of cash.)

Seems a shame to convert it to razor blades but it is probably going to happen.

David

david f wrote:A fair question. I can't speak for HMS Plymouth and there are other O class boats on show. I feel that Onyx would fit in well at the Barrow Dock Museum and provide some draw for visitors.

Having said that putting subs on display costs money and the Dock Museum (Like everyone else) is short of cash.)

Seems a shame to convert it to razor blades but it is probably going to happen.

David

David having served for 24 years in her Brittanic Majesties Navy both as a skimmer and a submariner albeit being very attached to some of the boats and ships in which I served I find that the up keep of some of these vessels out ways their popularity. I'm sure there are other things peoples money could be spent on like our troops etc.
Incidently I served on Plymouth she was a cracking ship and I loved every moment. I served on Otter as well another O boat albeit slightly different to Onyx
Fred

Yes, that is it really.

Ex-fighting ships have to continue fighting for a share of everyone's pocket money!

They have to be special (one of a kind?) to be preserved and the RNSM do a good job on this (e.g. HMS Alliance seems to be safe for the foreseeable future.)

It is up to we modellers to preserve the memory of a lot of these ships.

David

Just noticed as I drove HMS oynx wasn't in the dock anymore, anyone got information?

I don't know, to be honest. I will ask club members when I go to the Furness Model Boat Club Regatta at the end of the month.

David

Well, as promised,  I come hot foot from the Regatta
bearing news.

I am told that Onyx has already left Barrow for the East coast (Hartlepool?) to be scrapped.

Sad but sort of inevitable.

David