Farewell to Royal Navy submarine HMS Trenchant

HMS Trenchant was welcomed home to Devonport Naval Base for the final time ahead of her decommissioning later this year.

As is the tradition of a ship sailing into her home port for the last time, the submarine proudly flew her paying off pennant and a number of her crew ‘went up top’ to line the casing. 
 
Serco tugs Faithful and Adept sprayed a water salute over Trenchant in recognition of her long and esteemed service in the Royal Navy.
 
HMS Trenchant is a Trafalgar-class nuclear-powered submarine, she was launched in 1986 by war hero Vice Admiral Sir Arthur Hezlet – he was the commander of the original HMS Trenchant submarine during WW2.

• Learn more about the Royal Navy's advanced Astute-class submarines here.
• Discover more on the work of the Submarine Service here.
• Find out more about the Vanguard-class submarines that form the UK's strategic nuclear deterrent force here.
• Read more on the Trafalgar-class boats here.

Together with the Astute class, HMS Trenchant make up the Royal Navy’s hunter-killer submarine force.

During her 35-years on patrol there have been many highlights of her service, two of which have been her ice-patrols. 

In 2016 the boat punched through the ice and emerged on the surface of the Arctic Ocean. This marked nearly a decade since a British boat had carried out this manoeuvre, re-generating the Submarine Service’s under ice capability.

In 2018 in the harsh environment of the North Pole HMS Trenchant broke through the ice in an exercise with the US Navy, literally sitting on top of the world.

As Trenchant was gently edged alongside to her jetty by her tugs she was welcomed by the Captain of the Submarine Flotilla and a previous Commanding Officer – farewell HMS Trenchant, the oldest submarine in the Royal Navy fleet.