Casgliadau Arlein

Starboard bow view of H.M.S. TIGER at Cardiff Docks. Tugs also in image.

Built : 1959. Laid down by John Brown Shipyard in 1945 as a “Minotaur” class light-cruiser BELLEROPHON but construction suspendedfollowing the end of WW2. She was eventually completed and commissioned in 1959 as HMS TIGER of the new “Tiger-class” cruisers. 1966 – Held in reserve. During this period, she was the venue for talks between Prime Minister Harold Wilson and Ian Smith of Rhodesia regarding that country’s independence. 1968 – Conversion to a “helicopter and command cruiser” at HM Devonport Dockyard, involving construction of a flight deck and an on-board hanger to accommodate four Wessex helicopters . 1972 – Recommissioned into her new role. 1978 – Placed in reserve and laid up at Chatham. Considered for use in the Falklands war in 1982, but unable to be recommissioned in time. 1986 – Sold for scrap and towed to castellon, Spain to be broken up. (wikipedia) (clydesite.co.uk)(worldnavalships.com)