A ship by any other name won't be the same
 HMS Coventry goes down during the Falklands conflict
|  | The sixth HMS Coventry sailed into retirement recently and it could be the last, as the Royal Navy has no plans to replace it.
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 | | Since 1658, the name Coventry has graced the high seas on one of the Royal Navy's flagship vessels.
The latest HMS Coventry ended its gallant navy career just before Christmas, 2001.
The people of Coventry, lead by the Lord Mayor Councilor Dave Chater, are now campaigning to get a new ship carrying the city's name.
The most recent HMS Coventry
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The latest HMS Coventry, which was decommissioned and sold in January, maintained the proud name established by its predecessors.
It ensured its place in history just before retirement when it played a key role in a Β£40 million drug seizure.
The previous two ships were both sunk in combat, one off the coast of Tobruk during World War II and the other during the Falklands conflict.
Μύ| Μύ |  | Petition leader, Cllr David Chater and wife Christine on board HMS Coventry
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Although defence minister Adam Ingram MP said the name Coventry "merited consideration" for future ships he added there were no plans to use the name in the near future.
That prompted Councilor Chater to start a petition, asking the Ministry of Defence to consider saving the name - and using it again as soon as possible.
Thousands have endorsed his campaign by adding their signatures, sugesting Coventrians would love to see their city's name grace the high seas again.
Does it matter whether the name HMS Coventry is retained or not? Does it make that much difference to the people of Coventry?
Let us know in the Penny Forum - see the link on the left.
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 Messageboard Index
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Coventry and
Warwickshire
1 Greyfriars Road
Coventry
CV1 2WR
coventry@bbc.co.uk
warwickshire@bbc.co.uk
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