The British government purchased the part passenger, part cargo ship "Northland Prince" to fulfil the role of servicing Saint Helena, and after being refitted and renamed this became the first RMS "St Helena". Originally built in 1963, this converted 3,150-ton ship had room to carry 76 passengers and supplies. The ship was used by the Royal Navy during the Falklands War as a minesweeper support ship. By the 1980s it was becoming apparent that the ship was too small for the island's needs, resulting in the new "St Helena", built in 1989.