Quorn - M41

[Whickham]

HMS QUORN inwards. Sorry no date on photo.
Built by Vospers in 1989, she was the last ship of the class.

and alongside at Newcastle

[Dennis Maccoy]

Quorn at North Shields on 28 May 1994.

[E28]

Dennis, not sure if you were aware when you placed the previous post yesterday 14th December 2017, that was the day Quorn, together with sister Atherstone M38 paid off for the final time. Prematurely in this the year of the Royal Navy, so we were assured. Both without an invitation for the media to cover the event in Portsmouth.

That now leaves 6 of the original 13 still under the white ensign...
Ledbury M30 in service since 1981, now oldest sea going ship in RN, i believe.
Cattistock M31
Brocklesby M33
Middleton M34
Chiddingfold M37
Hurworth M39
Additionally, lead ship Brecon M29 is still floating about as a training hulk off the Tamar with 4 more serving Greece & Lithuania, 2 apiece.

As i understand no one has yet scrapped a 'plastic sweeper' so there may be salvation for Quorn & Atherstone, but don't hold your breath. As of July 2019 both still languish in the main basin Pompey Dockyard.

[E28]

Salvation indeed.

Quorn has today Thursday 30th April 2020 been sold to join her 2 older sisters Cottesmore and Dulverton for a new life in the Baltic under the Lithuanian ensign.

Reportedly for 1 Million quid she should be in fairly decent shape. Atherstone will remain on her lonesome in the Pompey basin, a stripped out hulk of little value which is a shame. Novel houseboat though which will not rot.

I am not certain but this probably makes Quorn at 32 years since launch the oldest Grey Navy hull i can think of sold abroad for further active service in the last Century.

[E28]

Ex Quorn has now departed for Lithuania, alas not under her own power, towed as an immobile unfinished expensive exercise in futility.

Now named Suduvis, after 5 years since purchase her new owners will justifiably feel agrieved she finally departs British waters in auspicious circumstances a full 12 months after her contracted completion date as an operational fighting warship for her new owners.

Much has conspired to lead to this damning drama, her new engines were installed december 2023 and much other expensive work besides which allied to an uncertain timeline makes the ex Quorn a real plastic pig of how not to do business with Great Britain PLC, less of the Great me feels.

This image is taken in the Appledore shed where she departed fri 22 august with all attendant credits, type in the papers title for more stuff...

Many will be seriously out of pocket, least of all the Lithuanians who deserve full compensation, whatever the full story, which alas, will never emerge. A betrayal.