NAVY NEWS, DECEMBER 2008 13
A tale of two rivers
TWO of Britain’s great arteries have hosted the White Ensign Association.
nation’s strike carrier. And not surprisingly, the carrier was heavily
First it was the Mersey for HMS Illustrious and involved in all three. Illustrious’ sailors marched
two days in the European Capital of Culture (aka in the mayor’s parade, joined by comrades from
Liverpool) as she returned from Joint Warrior war HMS Excellent, Charlie Company 40 Cdo, reservists
games in Scotland (see pages 26-27). from HMS President and the Band of HM Royal
Despite that brief stop, there was plenty of time for Marines.
(a) a run ashore and (b) a ‘ship open to visitors’. The following day the carrier men and women
Among those visitors was 86-year-old Thomas were on the streets of the capital again, this time to
Reid, a veteran of the previous Lusty. He served as a honour the nation’s war dead on the 90th anniversary
marine engineer in the legendary carrier during the of the end of the Great War (see pages 28-29 for a
bitter Malta convoys. remembrance round-up).
At the other end of the age spectrum, most of The White Ensign Association’s birthday was
the family of AB Walters – ten members in all – marked with a dinner on the carrier for 300 guests,
clambered up the gangway to see the 22-year-old including the association’s president Cdre Sir Donald
in his workplace (they were also probably attracted Gosling, Admiral the Lord Boyce, the association’s
aboard by the Harriers of RAF 1(F) Squadron and chairman, and CinC Fleet Admiral Sir Mark
Sea Kings of 857 NAS in the hangar). Stanhope.
Then it was up the Thames for eight days moored They were all treated to a ceremonial sunset with
off Greenwich and a visit which coincided with music from the Royal Marines Association Concert
three historic events: the Lord Mayor’s Show, Band and a spectacular firework display with Lusty
Remembrance Day and the 50th birthday of the providing a stunning backdrop.
Dragon be here
THIS is HMS Dragon – and this is the last time is being fitted out. She is due to join the Fleet
you’ll see her out of the water for quite some in 2012.
time, pictured minutes before the River Clyde The bow of ship No.5, HMS Defender, is
lapped around her hull for the fi rst time. finished while ten months’ work have been
The fourth of Britain’s Type 45 destroyer fleet completed on the last of six destroyers, HMS
has been launched on the Clyde with appropriate Duncan.
pomp and ceremony – and two enormous Welsh As Dragon entered the water for the first time,
dragons on her bow. her older sister made her inaugural voyage.
The new ship’s sponsor, Susie Boissier, wife HMS Dauntless began her sea trials in the
of the Deputy Commander-in-Chief Fleet Vice middle of last month, following the trail blazed
Admiral Paul Boissier, performed the honours by HMS Daring.
sending a bottle of champagne into the side of Indeed, thanks to the extensive testing of
the destroyer’s hull. Type 45 No.1, Type 45 No.2 needs only two
At 2.59pm precisely on Monday November spells of sea trials, not three.
17 2008 the chains holding the warship in place At present, Dauntless is still in the hands of
were released and Dragon slithered down the BVT – the joint shipbuilding venture between
slipway into the Clyde at BVT’s Govan yard. BAE Systems and Vosper Thornycroft – and is
The launch was watched by more than 12,000 crewed by a mix of merchant and Royal Navy
people, including 2,000 youngsters wearing sailors.
dragon masks. They’re currently testing her engines and
And it was celebrated as fervently in Cardiff as power systems, weapons and comms kit off the
it was in Glasgow – fittingly, given the name, the west coast of Scotland.
ship is already affiliated with the Welsh capital. If all goes well with Dauntless, she’ll enter
The destroyer is now being moved along the service in 2010.
river to Scotstoun where the entire Type 45 fleet Picture: LA(Phot) Simon Ethell, FRPU Clyde
Daring dish for a Royal visitor
A DINNER date was set for the LLogs ‘AJ’ Smith was part of team captain at the culinary
Countess of Wessex when she the RN team which won ‘Best in challenge.
met the chefs (sorry, logisticians Class’ award in the Parade des “I was very pleased with the
(catering services (preparation))) Chefs competition. way that the Royal Navy team
of HMS Daring at the annual His Daring shipmate Logs as a whole performed and we’re
showcase of military cookery. Aiden Matthews earned a looking to put in an even better
The Countess, sponsor Certifi cate of Merit for his performance at next year’s
and patron of the first Type dish of lamb loin in a mint and event.”
45 destroyer, was among the parsley wrap, served on a bed of As for Daring herself she’s in
numerous VIPs and senior mushroom risotto in the ‘junior the very fi nal stages of fi tting out
officers visiting the Combined lamb dish’ category. and trials at Scotstoun.
Services Culinary Challenge, The event tested the 18-year- She’s also hosted veteran
held at Sandown Park old’s ability to butcher, concoct broadcaster Martin Bell, who
Racecourse in Surrey. a sauce and make covers for visited the ship to learn about
She’s enjoying the hospitality two people. the role of women in the forces
of the ship she launched (nearly “It was the icing on the cake for a Radio 4 documentary.
three years ago) this month – for the Daring chefs who met Daring is due to make her
and as she learned at Sandown the Countess – she was very inaugural appearance in
Park, the food will be good. appreciative of all the effort that Portsmouth, the future home
Two of Daring’s chefs had gone into the preparation,” of the entire Type 45 fleet, on
collected prizes at the cook-off. said 1/O Pat Prunty RFA, RN Wednesday January 28.
013_NN_Dec.indd 1 20/11/08 09:06:04
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