HMS Repulse (S23)

HMS "Repulse" (S23) was the second of the Royal Navy's "Resolution"-class ballistic missile submarines.

Launched on 4 November 1967, she was the last of her class in service, decommissioning in 1996.

"Repulse" was actually the third Polaris submarine of the Resolution Class; "Renown" was the second. Due to delays with "Renown"'s build at Cammell Laird's Liverpool shipyard, the Barrow-in-Furness, Vickers built "Repulse" overtook "Renown" and was commissioned second of class. "Repulse" famously ran aground on launch, much to the delight of the CND protesters and was subsequently "blacked" by the shipyard unions. She survived all of these set-backs to become the longest serving Polaris submarine, and a very happy ship for her crews.

A group called the "Committee of 100" were responsible for "Repulse" running aground. A group of about twelve protesters wedged themselves into the lock gates prior to launch. This action delayed the launch by some thirty minutes and caused the submarine to ground itself on the mudlflats as there was insufficient clearance water in the sound. This fact was never reported by any national newspaper although early editions of a local Barrow paper "did" carry the story and even a photograph of the grounded submarine. Later editions of the same newspaper mysteriously made no mention of the event.

External links

* [http://www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk/resolution_class.htm#HMS%20Repulse HMS Repulse on battleships-cruisers.co.uk]