The latest addition to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s arsenal ran into a minor hitch when launched on the Clyde.

Mounts Bay, one of four new Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliary) vessels for the support wing of the Navy, nudged the opposite bank of the river at her launch last month.

More than 10,000 people turned out to see Mounts Bay launched by her sponsor Lady Band, wife of Commander-in-Chief Fleet Admiral Sir Jonathon Band at BAE Systems’ Govan yard.

The ship is one of four in the Bay class designed to replace the aged Knights of the Round Table, which have served Britain since the 1960s.

Mounts Bay’s port side near her stern was damaged by her run-in with the far bank, but an MOD spokesman said the damage was “superficial”.

He added: “This will not affect her in-service date – there was never any real danger to the ship or the crowds watching.”

At 16,000 tons and more than 550ft long, the Bay class are designed to support the second wave of an amphibious landing – HMS Albion, Bulwark and Ocean will be in the first wave with the initial assault troops.

Mounts Bay is due to be declared operational in spring next year. Cardigan, Lyme and Largs Bay complete the quartet.