In a poignant moment steeped in pride and nostalgia, HMS Triumph, the last of the Royal Navy’s Trafalgar-Class attack submarines, embarked on her final voyage earlier this month, marking the end of a distinguished 33-year career.
The submarine set sail from HM Naval Base Clyde on Tuesday, December 10, as personnel from across the base gathered to bid a heartfelt farewell. Submariners from the Submarine Flotilla joined families and colleagues on the dockside, their cheers and waves mingling with the sound of water cannons provided by Clyde-based tugboats, which gave the vessel a ceremonial send-off.
HMS Triumph’s decommissioning pennant fluttered in the breeze as she arrived in Plymouth Sound on Thursday, December 12, escorted by tugboats to her home port of HM Naval Base Devonport. Her final journey marked the conclusion of decades spent on the front lines, a career that took her to the furthest reaches of the globe.
Commander Aaron Williams, HMS Triumph’s Commanding Officer, reflected on the submarine’s legacy:
“As HMS Triumph prepares to decommission, we reflect on her legacy with immense pride. The submarine has served not just as a vessel but as a symbol of commitment, courage, and camaraderie. While this chapter of HMS Triumph’s story ends, her spirit will endure in the memories of all who served aboard her and in the gratitude of the nation she helped protect.”
Laid down in 1987 and commissioned in 1991, HMS Triumph holds an illustrious history.
In 1993, she completed a remarkable 41,000-mile submerged journey to Australia, setting a record for the longest solo deployment by a Royal Navy nuclear-powered submarine. Triumph later played pivotal roles in conflicts in Afghanistan and Libya, launching precision strikes with Tomahawk missiles from the sea.
Rear Admiral Andy Perks, Royal Navy Director Submarines, paid tribute to the vessel and her crew:
“These excellent submarines have kept our country safe for over 30 years. Although it’s with pride and sadness that we bid farewell to HMS Triumph, we can look forward with confidence to the future of the Submarine Service, now served by the formidable Astute-class attack submarines.”
Triumph’s official decommissioning ceremony is set for 2025, a moment that will close the chapter on the Trafalgar-class submarines.
As the Royal Navy transitions to its seven Astute-class submarines, Triumph’s legacy will remain a testament to the courage, resilience, and dedication of the Submarine Service.
