HMS London D16 County Class Destroyer 1971 Grand Harbour Malta Photo Print

HMS London (D16), a Royal Navy County Class destroyer, lies moored in Grand Harbour, Malta, in 1971, seen from high on the harbour side with the sunlit water glittering around her. “D16” is clear on her bow. Her two twin gun turrets are forward, her tall masts carry radar aerials, and the Sea Slug missile launcher sits on her quarterdeck. Small harbour boats ply the water beside her. Moored beyond are two ships of the US Sixth Fleet, the guided missile cruiser USS Albany (CG-10), with “10” on her bow and her towering masts, and the destroyer USS Lawrence (DDG-4). Across the harbour, the pale limestone shoreline rises to a skyline of domes and church towers. London was built by Swan Hunter at Wallsend, launched by Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, on 7 December 1961, and commissioned on 14 November 1963. Malta played a part at both ends of her story with the island. She was here in 1971, and years later she was the last ship to leave Malta when the base was closed. In December 1981 she fired the Royal Navy’s last 17 Mark 1 Sea Slug missiles. She was then sold to Pakistan in March 1982 and served as Babur until 1993. You can read more about the history of HMS London HERE This print is ideal for those who served in HMS London in 1971 and anyone with a connection to Malta and the Royal Navy in Grand Harbour. Product Details Image Taken: 1971 Photographer: Jim Readon YN2, USN © Public Domain - Restored by Hampshire Prints