THE naval ensign on a Barrow-built aircraft carrier has been lowered for the last time as the vessel's 58-year career comes to an end.

HMS Hermes was was laid down in Barrow in 1944 but did not enter the Royal Navy until 1959, by which time it incorporated some of the most modern developments in aircraft carrier thinking, including an angled flight deck, the newest radar, mirror landing systems and other innovations.

HMS Hermes was the flagship in the Falklands Task Force despite being much older than the brand new HMS Invincible.

She was sold to India in 1987, along with British Sea Harrier jets and became the INS Viraat – which translates as “giant”.

Last July, the Indian Navy posted pictures of the vessel on her final journey from Mumbai to Kochi, where she faced being scrapped.

Calls had been made for the aircraft carrier to be turned into a floating naval museum, or even a hotel, but yesterday the Indian Navy confirmed Viraat's colourful career had come to an end.


INS Viraat on her final day of service in the Indian Navy. Picture: Indian Navy Commodore Srikant Kesnur a serving Naval Officer, said: "When the naval ensign is lowered for one last time on her today, March 6, 2017, she will slowly fade away and mark the end of an era. But she will live forever in our memories."