The decommissioned former Royal Fleet Auxiliary Sir Tristram, which was bombed at Fitzroy during the Falkland Islands conflict, will drydock in number four dock tomorrow (Thursday) on the early morning tide.

A&P Falmouth has won the multi-million pound MOD contract to convert the vessel into a static training ship for the Royal Marines.

Sir Tristram is being towed to Falmouth from Portsmouth by the new Spanish anchor handling tug Red Wolf.

The tugs Ankorva and Percuil will meet the tow off the lighthouse after which Sir Tristram will drydock stern first.

The vessel will eventually be moored in Portland and replace the 1945 built ex-HMS Rame Head, which has been moored in Fareham Lake for years as a special forces training ship.

In May 1970, the Sir Tristram was refitted in Falmouth during which time she was handed over to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary by the British India Steam Navigation Company, who were running the ship on behalf of the DOT. Since then she has undergone several refits at the docks.

Sir Tristram's superstructure was badly damaged when the ship was bombed during the Falklands War, and although she was initially abandoned, she was later used as emergency accommodation before being sea-lifted back to the UK.

She was then completely rebuilt and up-dated, with almost ten metres added to her length, and her new superstructure was of steel rather than aluminium.

She returned to service in 1985, and supported British forces in the Gulf War and the former Yugoslavia, as well as playing her part in numerous exercises and operations around the world.

In November 1998, Sir Tristram played a major role in the relief operations following the devastation caused by Hurricane Mitch in Central America.

As part of a RN task group, she worked with British and Dutch marines, helping with relief supplies and medical aid to Honduras and Nicaragua.

The year 2000 was a busy one for the ship. She spent the first half in the Amphibious Ready Group, taking part in exercises in the Mediterranean and in operations in Sierra Leone.