NAVY NEWS, FEBRUARY 2008
GLIDING through the magnifi cent cantilevered arches of Scotland’s iconic bridge, HMS Gloucester makes her way to
sea after spending half of 2007 out of action.
The Fighting G was buried beneath tarpaulin in dry dock at Rosyth for six months as she underwent a £6m
overhaul. Engineers, shipwrights and electrical experts from Babcock fitted the 22-year-old destroyer with improved
communications equipment and sensors, ripped out the old boilers, installed environmentally-friendly water
production plants and fitted a ‘spoiler’ on Gloucester’s stern (it’s officially called a
transom flap) which makes the ship both more stable and more fuel efficient.
On leaving Rosyth, the Fighting G conducted vigorous sea trials in the
North Sea, reaching a top speed of 32½ knots – that’s 2½ knots faster
than the ‘official’ maximum speed of a Type 42 destroyer.
Although the destroyer was out of action for much of last year,
her ship’s company were not. They were drafted in to save Walham
electricity substation when floods engulfed the Severn valley
last summer. Gloucester and the surrounding countryside were
particularly badly affected by the rising waters – and the sailors
were invited back in the autumn to partake in the city’s carnival
in recognition of their efforts to stem the tide.
The ship sailed back home to Portsmouth in time for
Christmas and is now attached to the UK’s Joint Rapid
Reaction Force.
Picture: LA(Phot) ‘Del’ Trotter, FRPU Clyde
ANYTHING Scotland can do, England can do just as well...
Another iconic bridge, another famous warship – in this case it’s frigate
HMS Westminster paying her first visit to the capital in a couple of
years.
Negotiating the Thames as far as the Pool of London was the
final act for CO Cdr David Fields – who handed over command
to his successor Cdr Ken Houlberg with Westminster berthed
alongside WW2 veteran HMS Belfast.
Before departing, however, Cdr Fields led his ship’s
company across the Thames to the Tower of London.
Ancient rights dictate that ships enjoying the protection
of the guns of the Tower are to pay for that security by
handing over some of their cargo.
In Westminster’s case, that was a barrel of rum,
presented in a traditional Ceremony of the Constable’s
Dues.
The sailors are first challenged entry to the Tower by
the Yeoman Gaoler (the second most senior Beefeater).
Once permitted entry, the sailors march through the
historic fortress accompanied by Beefeaters and a
Corps of Drums to Tower Green, where the Constable
receives it. Everyone then retires to the Queen’s
House to sample the contents... which is nice.
Suitably fortified, Westminster’s sailors (and
their ship) are now heading east of Suez with
HMS Illustrious’ task force.
Picture: PO(Phot) Flo Foord, DPR(N) Whitehall
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