Q&A · 3:02:51-3:05:36

Where a preserved Warspite could have lived

Warspite would need a permanently dedicated graving dock in a major naval or industrial city rather than Belfast's compact Thames berth.

Question

Where could HMS Warspite have been preserved as a museum ship?

Short answer

In a dedicated large graving dock, with Devonport, Liverpool or another major port as plausible locations.

Notes

Warspite's size prevents simply placing her where HMS Belfast fits. A protected graving dock at Portsmouth, Liverpool, Southampton, Newcastle or Devonport would be required and effectively removed from working shipyard use. Devonport has a strong claim because Warspite was built there, and the Moon Cove area might be adaptable. Preserving a battleship requires sacrificing valuable waterfront infrastructure as well as maintaining the ship.