THE world’s most advanced warship has chosen Liverpool as her first official port of call – and will be open to the public this weekend.
New Type 45 destroyer, HMS Daring, will dock in Merseyside on Friday – her first-ever commercial port visit, since being accepted off contract.
HMS Daring is part of the most powerful destroyer class ever built in the UK. She is equipped with a state-of-the- art air defence system which will be able to track and destroy a target the size of a cricket ball travelling three times the speed of sound. The 5,800-tonne destroyer will be alongside the Cruise Liner Terminal at the Pier Head during her four-day stay, a respite from an extensive period of sea trials prior to her being commissioned into the Royal Navy in July.
On Saturday and Sunday, May 23 and 24, the ship will be open to the public from 1pm until 5pm (last entry for tours is at 4.30pm).
Officially recognised in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s most advanced warship, tours of the ship have been organised and the crew will be on hand to talk to visitors. In addition, the ship will host a number of private tours..
During her stay, members of HMS Daring’s ship's company will also take the opportunity to test out their fitness, with a football match against Valentine’s Veterans in Liverpool, and then a rugby fixture against Birkenhead RFC.
Commanding Officer of HMS Daring, Captain Paddy McAlpine, said: "We are very much looking forward to spending time in Liverpool.
“We are all very proud of this ship – she is a thoroughly modern grand dame of the seas, and the crew can’t wait to show her off.
