9.30am
The crippled British warship which nearly sank after hitting a rock east of Australia two months ago will be home for Christmas.
The 3500-tonne, Type 42 missile destroyer HMS Nottingham will be loaded onto the heavy-lift ship Swan at the Australian port of Newcastle next month and taken back to England
for repairs.
The ship hit rocks at Lord Howe Island on July 7 and nearly sank as water poured through huge holes in the bow.
The New Zealand navy ships, the frigate Te Mana, and the supply ship Endeavour went to the British ship's aid as the crew shored up damaged compartments and restored on board systems. Several compartments, including the missile magazine and the forward engine room were flooded.
A New Zealand tug towed the ship backwards to Newcastle a month after the grounding.
The Royal Navy said yesterday the heavy lift ship was due in Newcastle on October 19 and it would take 10 days to prepare Nottingham and load it on board.
The destroyer is expected to arrive back in England about mid December for repairs.
- NZPA
Further reading
nzherald.co.nz/marine
