radve13 - They have been very successful. Over 20 mine counter measure ships have been built for the Royal Navy. The big advantage is non-magnetic construction which is a distinct advantage when dealing with magnetic mines. Some have been sold off/retired fairly early due to the defence cuts.

GRP is now used for most MCM vessels around the world. The Italians have successfully sold derivatives of their Lerici class including Australia and USA. Yet again why has UK lost out?

HMS Wiltn was the first GRP warship in the world. Commissioned in 1973 she was decommissioned in 1994 and is now the home of the Essex Yacht Club at Leigh-on-Sea.

BTW I doubt that you saw a nuclear submarine before disposal. The first one wasn't decommissioned until the early 1980's.

Woolwell you are right I think. Mixed it up with the QE II. She was the one that was 'scrapped' and went to the USA I believe.

At the time we could have had a guided tour around the ship for a very expensive fiver. By the time I had the fiver there was a bomb scare and no one was allowed near the docks. As far as the Sub is concerned I thought it was Nautilus , that's what I remembered seeing on the posters.

Possibly the first nuclear sub on these shores then?