File:Warships anchored near the dockyard - geograph.org.uk - 705301.jpg

English: Warships anchored near the dockyard This 1974 view north up the Tamar Estuary from Barrow Park shows two warships anchored in front of the dockyard. The ship on the left is HMS Eagle, then the largest ship in the Royal Navy at 50,000 tons. First commissioned in 1952, refitted and modernised at Devonport in 1959 and re-commissioned in 1964. In addition to major improvements to her accommodation, machinery and weaponry she also acquired the classic angled deck. One of her propellers grounded on leaving Devonport following the refit and she remained unbalanced thereafter. Her performance was affected and as a result she was taken out of service in 1972, towed to Devonport and laid up in the Hamoaze. She stayed here acting as spares for Ark Royal until 1978 when she was towed to Scotland for the breakers yard. So a single navigation mistake proved to be very expensive. The ship on the right is a Ness class combat stores ship (one of Lyness, Tarbatness, or Stromness - all built by Swan Hunter and commissioned in 1966/67). The British Navy sold them to the US Navy in the early 1980's and they have only recently ended active service.