Hms Bristol

The Type 82 Destroyer HMS Bristol was born in a blaze of glory as lead ship in a proposed class of four - designed to escort a new generation of super carriers for the Royal Navy. The carriers never materialized and neither did the other Type 82s, leaving Bristol literally in a class of her own.

Completed as a trials ship for new equipment, she was at one point the best-armed and best-equipped vessel in the fleet.

HMS Bristol - In A Class of Her Own covers the ship's political background and eventual acceptance into service, her various roles and equipment trials, her deployments - including during the Falklands War in the South Atlantic, where she was flagship for a time - her withdrawal from the operational fleet, her second life as an accommodation and training ship and her decommissioning in 2020.

Author Rob Griffin presents the story of HMS Bristol complete with a wealth of rare photos and tales from those who served on board.