Published: Tuesday, 8th July, 2008 10:10
HMS Dumbarton Castle plaque gift
By Andrew Gibson
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Provost Denis Agnew and Council leader Iain Robertson
Pic by: Stewart Robertson
The donation of an eight-foot name plaque from battleship HMS Dumbarton Castle to the Burgh has been described as a “great honour”.
The wood-base plaque was bolted onto the side of the 81m battleship for 25 years as it sailed around the world carrying out various missions, including patrols in the Falkland Islands.
The ship, which is the third navy vessel to be named after the Burgh landmark, was decomissioned in November last year and now sits in a dock in Portsmouth.
Dumbarton Provost Denis Agnew was delighted to receive the name plaque and the ensign (flag) from the ship at its decommissioning service at the English port.
He told the Reporter: “It was a huge honour for us as a council to receive these.
“I want the sign properly displayed to honour the men and women who served on this Dumbarton Castle and the previous ships, as they have honoured us.”
Plans are afoot to place the large plaque in a prominent position in the town where the people of Dumbarton can view it with the actual castle being tipped as the first choice.
The ship’s ensign could also be placed within West Dunbartonshire Council’s (WDC) buildings.
Council leader Iain Robertson, said: “It is a great honour for any town to have a ship named after it and HMS Dumbarton Castle has taken the name all over the world.
“If we can give the plaque a suitable home so that the people can appreciate it, that would be very worthwhile."
The well-travelled HMS Dumbarton Castle has covered 620,000 miles during its service and has visited 39 countries and 88 ports.
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