A sad day indeed.
A lot of discussion has taken place over the years stating that the Ark should have been kept in commission.
Talking to an ex RAF toom pilot that flew off the Ark during that last commission, he states that the ship was pretty far gone with serious hull problems and compartments filled with concrete etc. So to keep her going without a lengthy and very expensive refit would have been impossible.
Is this correct?
If true it still doesn't excuse the fact that her replacement should have been ready by then!