In early February 1945, the Admiralty confirmed that HMS Warspite would be paid off and put into reserve. Due to the war's direction and her deteriorating condition, further service was deemed pointless. Warspite had endured significant damage over the past two years. While operating in Salerno Bay, she was hit by an FX-1400 guided bomb, causing severe damage and putting X turret out of action for the remainder of her service. Additionally, on June 13, 1944, she struck a mine, further compromising her structure. Between 1945 and 1947, she sat near Portsmouth, having her guns and fittings removed.

Despite calls to preserve her as a museum ship, the Royal Navy decided to send her to the breakers. On March 12, 1947, Warspite began her final journey from Portsmouth to the River Clyde for scrapping. However, she faced rough weather and slipped her tow on April 20th. After temporary respite and securing a new tow, another storm on April 23rd caused her to break free again, and she ran aground in Prussia Cove. This marked the end of her service after earning 15 battle citations and becoming the most decorated ship in the Royal Navy.

Warspite had not been in great condition since early 1945 due to hasty repairs aimed at keeping her operational for the Normandy landings. Post-D-Day, she sustained further damage from a ground mine, reducing her speed and operational capacity. Despite this, she continued to serve in the North Sea bombardment force until November 1944.

In November 1944, it was decided that Warspite would only be needed if the army advanced into Germany and required naval support. However, as the war progressed, this need did not arise, leading to the February 1945 decision to pay her off. By July 31, 1946, she was placed on the disposal list, with her guns and other salvageable items removed.

On March 12, 1947, Warspite was towed to Spithead. In April, two tugs, Myinda the Third and Bustler, began towing her to the River Clyde. A storm on April 20th caused her to slip her tow, and despite efforts to control her, she ran aground in Prussia Cove on April 23rd. The storm tore her bows open, and she sank by the bows. Her skeleton crew of eight men managed to escape in treacherous conditions. The ship’s final stand was national news, highlighting her stubborn refusal to leave her native southwest England.

Efforts to refloat her in 1950 failed, and she was eventually towed to Marazion Beach, where she was gradually scrapped over several years. Warspite veterans commissioned a memorial on the shore at Marazion, which can be visited today.

While it is unfortunate that Warspite was not preserved as a museum ship, given her storied career and numerous battle citations, the cost of repairs was prohibitive. In being scrapped, she continued to serve by providing jobs and resources. Nonetheless, her legacy endures as a symbol of resilience and service.

0:00 Intro
2:04 Background
3:32 Towing Warspite
6:15 Stuck in Prussia Cove and Final Scrapping
8:24 Conclusion

Sources/Other Reading:

https://www.amazon.com/British-Battle...

https://www.amazon.com/British-Battle...

https://www.amazon.com/Warspite-Warsh...

https://www.amazon.com/British-Battle...


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