On Tuesday 3 March, ten of our students were delighted to have the opportunity to visit HMS Prince of Wales docked in Liverpool.
On Tuesday 3 March, ten of our students were delighted to have the opportunity to visit HMS Prince of Wales docked in Liverpool. An extensive tour of the ship, and detailed description of life on board, helped to inspire many in terms of future career possibilities.
The Royal Navy aircraft carrier is one of the most powerful surface warships that has been constructed in the UK. The carrier is the second of the Royal Navy’s giant new air craft carriers and is affiliated with both Liverpool and Bristol.
The ship’s flight deck is 70 metres wide and 280 metres long which is enough space for three football pitches. Currently the carrier has a ship’s company of 700 sailors which will increase to approximately 1600 with aircraft on board. The ship began sea trials in September 2019 and first arrived at her new home base of HMNB Portsmouth in November 2019. The ship’s commissioning date in December 2019 marked the 78th anniversary of the sinking of its predecessor which was lost in action in 1941. HMS Prince of Wales will be fully ready for front-line duties around the globe from 2023.
Old Birkonian Admiral Sir Philip Andrew Jones served as the First Sea Lord of the Royal Navy from April 2016 to June 2019 and we were delighted to welcome him back to the School in March 2019. Click here to read the news story.