They had a low construction priority due to more pressing requirements for other ship types during World War II, particularly anti-submarine craft.

The refit was very expensive; during the conversion, a major fire broke out causing considerable damage and raising the costs still further.

There were concerns that the money used to convert Blake and her sister ship Tiger to helicopter cruisers drained much-needed resources better used elsewhere.

[citation needed] In 1969 Blake deployed to Gibraltar along with other Royal Navy units in order to ‘fly the flag’ in response to Spanish hostility following the closure of the Gibraltar-Spain border by General Franco.

The advent of the Falklands War led to a rapid ship survey in early April 1982 and work was immediately begun to recommission her and sister ship Tiger for service in the conflict, but work was stopped on both in late May when it was clear neither could be ready in time to be deployed.

She was sold for breaking up in August 1982[4] and on 29 October 1982, she was towed from Chatham for Cairnryan, near Stranraer in Scotland, arriving 7 November 1982.

[citation needed] The 1961-1963 ship's bell of Blake has been preserved and was on display in Saint Mary's Church, Bridgwater, until 2016.