HMS Repulse was one of two Resolution-class ballistic missile submarines ordered from Vickers-Armstrongs on 8 May 1963, with a further two ordered from Cammell Laird the same day. Repulse was laid down at Vickers Armstrongs' Barrow-in-Furness shipyard on 12 March 1965 and was launched on 4 November 1967,[1] She was launched by Lady Joan Zuckerman who was the wife of the Chief Scientific Advisor.[2] Repulse ran aground in the Walney Channel during the launch, although she was undamaged and successfully floated off on the next high tide.[3] She commissioned on 28 September 1968.[4] While she was planned to be the third of her class, delays with the build of HMSRenown at Cammell Laird's Birkenhead shipyard meant that Repulse overtook Renown and was commissioned second of class.[5] She was the last of her class remaining in service with the navy, decommissioning in 1996.
On 10 October 1988 while moored at HMNB Clyde a trio of anti nuclear campaigners managed to reach the submarine’s control room before being arrested.[6]
Appearances in media
HMS Repulse was joined by a BBC film crew for a deployment in 1984. The crew documented the effect of the 8 week long deployment on both the crew, and family members on land. The program was broadcast in February 1985, as part of a 6 film series documenting the Royal Navy Submarine Service.[7]
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