HMS BOXER
*
Clyde shipyard workers are sad at plans to blow up this warship built at Scotstoun.
*
Take me back to the CLYDE BUILT page please.
*
*
Take me back to the INDEX page please.
Take me back
Navy chiefs are to allow fighter crews to destroy HMS BOXER by using her as target practice for missiles and torpedoes.
The Type 22 was used as a submarine hunter during the Cold War but is now deemed to be obsolete.
The warship was the product of a generation of workers.
John Dolan, who worked at the Scotstoun yard since 1966 and is a union convener, helped to build the ship.
The 52 year-old said; "There is always a tinge of sadness when ships you have worked on are put to bed. I would have preferred seeing the ship in a maritime museum.
But if designating her for target practice helps protect future generations, then so be it."
HMS BOXER was launched on June 17 1981.
It was another 18 months before it was before it was ready for active service.
The 4100-tonne ship was in service for 16 years - half the normal lifespan - when it was decommissioned in December 2000.
Mr Dolan, who was a plater, said; "We had great times in the yards during the 70's and 80's.
There were all these colourful characters. The camaraderie was terrific.
It was a great spirit then. We must have had 50,000 workers - three times as many as now."
A Navy spokesman said; "The ship is at Portsmouth and has been decommissioned. She will be taken out to sea and disposed of."
