Word: fleetly
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...advantage. While fearing the volatility of the Falkland crisis, men like Henry Kissinger our a signal to the rest of the world from Britain that there is a "limit to our endurance of defeatism." The Pentagon assessment is that the British can wipe out the Argentine fleet. The diplomatic assessment is that we had better stop every thing before that happens or all parties lose, especially us. The nuclear protests may be in part irresponsible, but they also represent a healthy questioning of policy that has gone unexamined for too long a time...
...Spithead, off Portsmouth, for review. Decks scrubbed white, brasswork gleaming, wheelhouse glass sparkling, the ships stretched along the coast in four lines seven miles long. There were 173 in all, including more than 50 battleships. At the same time, 160 other units of the Queen's Grand Fleet were on patrol in every sea in the world...
...course of the Royal Navy paralleled that of the empire. In World War I. Britain still ruled the waves. A fleet of 1,350 vessels, including 42 battleships and battle cruisers, flew the service's white ensign. In World War II, the navy continued to be a magnificent fighting force. By V-J day in 1945, Britain had twelve major aircraft carriers, 14 battleships, 50 cruisers, 182 destroyers, 226 frigates and 97 submarines-a fleet of 586 vessels, second only to the U.S.'s total...
...Britain's economic woes and the fading need to defend an empire have dramatically reduced the Royal Navy. As Britain assembled a task force and sent it steaming toward the South Atlantic last week, the once Grand Fleet had shrunk to two light carriers, 14 destroyers, 46 frigates, twelve nuclear-powered submarines, 16 conventional submarines and four Polaris-armed submarines that carry the nation's nuclear deterrent...
This is still the third largest fleet in the world, trailing only the U.S. (500) and the Soviet Union (693). It is a well-trained force that is respected for its seamanship, flexibility and firepower. But it is due to shrink even more. The decision of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to strengthen Britain's nuclear deterrent by spending $14 billion for four Trident-armed submarines means that the navy will have to economize by reducing the overall size of its fleet. By 1985, 17 destroyers and frigates will have been taken out of commission, and as new surface units...