1977/78 BY THE WARDROOM

The bulk of those remaining on board at de-commissioning will have joined in the last 18 months. 'This is their life!'

In many ways our early 1978 programme is very similar to that of 1977. We were planned to participate in two Decevals (this means an evaluation that takes place in December). The first was in December 1976 and the second in 1977. Problems with the main gearbox meant that we did not make the latter which was just as well for the weather was so bad that little was achieved. All the ships involved had a miserable time.

We also participated in two Exercise Springtrains in January 1977 and 1978. These included Seaslug firings off Africa, weapon training and boisterous runs ashore in a Gibraltar topped up with matelots. The highlight of the last Springtrain was the sports Olympiad which Devonshire won against some stiff opposition - such as Hermes. The Devonshire entry for the 'chain of command' race was a 'show stopper'. Led by the band, a procession in full Roman regalia pulled the Captain in his chariot around the dockyard issuing challenges to all the ships alongside en route. The Tiller Flat girls added a certain amount of glamour!

1977 really got underway in May after two months in dry dock. After a shakedown period, Devonshire made her way to Portland and work-up. Unfortunately this was not a very long period and it was split up by the long Jubilee weekend. However, it was long enough for the Portland staff to put us through our paces and every facet of life was exercised in a variety of situations.



Having applied yet another coat of paint, June found us at Spithead participating in the Royal Review. This was a very impressive sight and was a splendid opportunity for all our friends and families to visit.

An all too short visit to Torquay followed when we were able to renew our links with the county of Devonshire. Once again our programme will repeat itself for we are to pay another visit to Torquay this July. This, unfortunately, will be our last run ashore.
Exercise Highwood was our major exercise for 1977. Much of our time was spent hiding as we were playing the opposition. A fishing competition in Scapa Flow had to be swiftly curtailed as we were bounced by a patrolling Nimrod.

More leave followed and it was not until September that Devonshire sailed again BACK to Portland. No one was sad to finally leave!
After a successful Seaslug firing on the Hebrides range, we spent a period in the North Sea being bounced around in very uncomfortable weather. A submarine exercise was cancelled and our tanker lost her rudder. We attempted to tow her but our tow parted. One tug sent out from the UK managed to get a rope around her screws and so a second tug had to get them both out of trouble.

Our main foreign visit for the year was Esbjerg in Denmark. My advice to anyone reading this is, do not go there!
In October, 1977 we met up with the Ark Royal during her work-up. Again a coincidence for we were to deploy with her in April, 1978 to the Caribbean.
Exercise Ocean Safari followed straight on. We had to sail all the way from the North Sea to Lisbon to join our group and we didn't get a run ashore! Our task was to escort the tankers and so most of the action passed us by. Once again the fishing was very good and the local fishermen off Portugal were only too willing to supply the goods.

Early November, 1977 saw us in Cardiff, Welsh Wales. This was our second visit to Wales in that year - the first being to Swansea in January. A very good run was had by one and all. The welcome was very warm even though RN ships are quite frequent visitors these days. The Police and Rugby Clubs in particular were marvellous.
That really was the end of 1977. There was a lot of hard work but very little to show for it. The programme was uninspiring with very little fun. We all looked forward to 1978 and the trip to the sun.

1978 started with a visit to London which was very enjoyable, if a trifle expensive. We then moved on to Springtrain which included a F0F1 inspection and then we were off.

In April we sailed for the Caribbean with everyone praying that we wouldn't break down on the way - we had looked forward to this trip for so long. Sun, sand, palm trees? The sun proved to be the first problem as several were quite badly burnt.
Island hopping commenced after an easy passage across the 'pond'. San Juan, Guadeloupe, Barbuda, Antiqua, St Croix, Florida, Grand Cayman and finally Charleston. The trip of a lifetime.

At the time of writing we have only reached Antiqua. The sun is shining, the pay rise has just been announced and it's a make and mend every day!
There's still a good deal of fun to come until July and indeed a spot of work when we rejoin Ark Royal.

Once we have said our farewells to the county of Devon we will rather sadly start breaking up ourselves. The Ship's Company dance should be something to remember if the effort and money expended to date is anything to go by.

The final families day it is hoped will be attended by Princess Alexandra. It was Princess Alexandra who launched Devonshire and we look forward to seeing her at our swan song.

Good luck to all Devonshires past and present and many thanks and best wishes to all our friends.