POSSESSING the longest ship name in the Royal Navy is not always an advantage.

In fact, it can sometimes weigh a few hundred tons...

But after all that effort, at least the name Dumbarton Castle is there for all in the capital of the Falkland Islands to see in perpetuity.

The ‘Last Castle’ (so called because, er, she is the last Castle-class ship under the White Ensign) is in hallowed company on the hillside overlooking Stanley, where the names of previous ships which have guarded this far-flung outpost of empire are marked in huge rocks: Beagle, Barracuda, Protector and Endurance.

But before DC could join such illustrious company there was the small matter of shifting Endurance’s name 200 metres to the left.

So after moving 88 tonnes of rocks and boulders, the DC team finally got to work on enshrining their own ship.

She may be a small ship, but that long name means a big task: each letter is around 15 metres (50ft) high and seven metres (23ft) wide and the rocks which comprise it collectively weigh four tonnes.

“Talking with the people of Stanley, they said it was too large a job, and it couldn’t be done,” said CPO Jamie Stewart from Scarborough, who co-ordinated the ‘rock garden’ effort.

Time was limited to three days as DC was due back on patrol.

The island’s Public Works Department provided a digger to help, while the sailors selected many of the rocks from the nearby Pony Pass Quarry.

An Army four-tonne truck then brought the rocks to within a mile of their final location.

After that the sleet, 40-knot winds and snow made it very boggy for Lt Dan Peskett, DC’s Marine Engineer Officer, in a Land Rover  as he carried the rocks even closier to the hillside, but the final leg relied entirely on Jack’s raw power.

The final touches were added by the local Sea Cadet unit who performed invaluable service by painting the stones white so the name can now be seen proudly from all over Stanley.

“You could really sense the belonging of Dumbarton Castle to the Falkland Islands,” said CPO Stewart.

“It was evident in the teamwork between the civilians and the Royal Navy.”

Dumbarton Castle is one of the dwindling number of Falklands veterans still in RN service, but her days in the islands will end this summer as HMS Clyde replaces her for good.

Before she departs the islands with which she will forever be associated, she will play  a central role in this month’s 25th anniversary commemorations of the liberation of the Falklands.

There will be a live link between services in San Carlos and Horse Guards Parade in London on June 17.

“It’s been a privilege to be asked to lay such a permanent reminder of what Dumbarton Castle has meant to the Falkland Islanders,” said her Commanding Officer Lt Cdr Ian Lynn.

“Dumbarton Castle has made her mark positively over the years through an enthusiastic ‘can do’ approach and professionalism.

“This has been a fitting finale for this dedicated Royal Navy warship, good luck to HMS Clyde on her arrival.”