THE fourth Astute-class submarine has departed Barrow after 11 years in the making.

The crowds may not have been lined along the coast to bid farewell to HMS Audacious but that didn’t detract from the milestone.

Yesterday morning, as high tide approached, the submarine was guided into the open water for the first time before setting off on her inaugural journey to Her Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde, the home of the UK’s Submarine Service.

HMS Audacious was laid down in March 2009 and launched into Devonshire Dock in April 2017. The boat is expected to enter service in Spring 2021.

Cliff Robson, Managing Director of BAE Systems Submarines, said: This is an incredibly difficult time for employees, their families and the community but, as is often the case in times of great adversity, it has been truly humbling to see everyone come together to support the Government’s critical defence programmes and help deliver HMS Audacious."

Ian Booth, Chief Executive of the Submarine Delivery Agency, said: “The departure of HMS Audacious from Barrow is a key milestone in the Astute Class programme.

"The delivery of our incredibly complex submarine programmes depends on the extremely skilled submarine workforce and close collaboration with our industrial partners across the supply chain to deliver a first class product for the Royal Navy.

"I am extremely grateful to everyone involved in the significant efforts to meet this milestone and the key roles they have played in the shadow of these unprecedented circumstances to get HMS Audacious to sea.”

The boat’s departure comes days after the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Sir Stephen Lovegrove, thanked the defence industry for its efforts to continue to deliver critical and nationally important defence operations and programmes during the difficult and unprecedented times the country is facing.

The 97 metre, 7,400-tonne Astute-class submarines are the most capable submarines ever built for the Royal Navy.

The first three submarines, HMS Astute, HMS Ambush and HMS Artful are in service, while the final three Astute-class are at various stages of construction at Barrow.

Barrow and Furness MP Simon Fell admitted it was disappointing the town was not able to come out in force to bid farewell to HMS Audacious but said it was still a proud moment for Barrow.

"This is a remarkable achievement for which shipyard workers and our town should be rightly proud," he said.

"These are difficult times for Barrow and the UK as a whole, but Audacious gives us a reason to hold our heads high and to show what Barrow can do, putting remarkable boats like these out and into the world.

"I, like many, would have dearly loved to have been there as she sailed but given the current restrictions in movement, these photos will have to do."