The giant almighty Herald, King of arms, is nearing its end

On 28 September 2020, "The giant almighty Herald" aircraft carrier, formerly known as British Royal Navy HMS Hermes and Indian Navy INS Viraat, arrived at its final resting place Gujarat (India).

Having departed Mumbai (India) on 19 September, INS Viraat R22 (ex HMS Hermes R12) made its final journey to the Alang Shipbreaking Yard in Gujarat. INS Viraat was the flagship of the Indian Navy before INS Vikramaditya was commissioned in 2013.

The ship was completed and commissioned in 1959 as the British Royal Navy's HMS Hermes, and decommissioned in 1984. Strikingly, during its career as HMS Hermes, it served also as the flagship of the Royal Navy's task force during the Falkland Islands conflict with Argentina in 1982. HMS Hermes was sold to India in 1987 becoming INS Viraat and served for almost another 30 years.

After the recent failure of plans to convert the ship into a hotel and/or museum, the former aircraft carrier has been sold for scrap and is scheduled to be broken up.

"So long giant almighty Herald"

Photos: Indian Navy, Royal Navy and IWM