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- HMS Devonshire 1964- 66 Commission
HMS Devonshire 1964- 66 Commission
- By Robby G
- Published 05/6/2008
- HMS Devonshire
- Unrated
End of Commission (19th Ocober 1966)
Earlier in this article it was said that our most important task was yet to come. As the book goes to print that task is all behind us—our eventful cruise as Flagship to The Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleet, Admiral Sir John Frewin, was a fitting climax to this commission.
Following our leave we sailed on 23rd August for Devonport where, despite the inclement weather, we had 22,000 visitors during Navy Days. At 0030 on Tuesday, 30th August we slipped, made our way up Channel, where the Admiral embarked and steamed through the Kid Canal, having been involved in a minor collision with a tanker in thick fog at the entrance to the canal—our destination Leningrad!
We were the first R.N. Ship to visit the Soviet Union for over ten years and from the beginning of the visit it was apparent that we were very welcome. The salute to the Commander-in-Chief from the Russian Fleet based at Kronstadt was a memorable sight as we steamed up the Neva River in the gathering dusk. Nowhere else in the world have we aroused such interest ashore! It was a common sight to see groups of two or three members of the Ship’s Company ashore surrounded by forty or fifty curious citizens of Leningrad plying them with questions. Our hosts of the Russian Navy looked after us well. Sightseeing trips were the
order of the day (!) However, the visits to the Hermitage and Winter Palace and the Summer Palace at Pedrovoret were unforgettable. There was much vodka bought for us and by us and it was with some regret that
we departed after a few fascinating days. Official opinion has since declared the visit a great success-—Britain’s finest ambassadors have done it again!
Helsinki was a disappointment in a way—an expensive run ashore and there was some reluctance on the part of bar owners to serve men in uniform. However, beer was drunk, sauna baths were taken and we even played cricket!
Our final call was to Gdynia where the welcoming ceremony by units of the Polish Navy was an indication of how well organised the preparations had been for our visit.
Gdynia will be remembered for the excellent runs ashore, for the vast numbers of “four stripers,” for the fascinating way in which the old parts of the towns have been rebuilt as they were many years ago and as the time when DEVONSHIRE re-wrote the dull book for wreath-laying ceremonies!
We returned to Home Waters proud to have been Flagship to the Commander-in-Chief for his series of important visits and talks and taking satisfaction in a job well done. Successful firings now completed we await the start of the refit in Portsmouth—this commission officially ends on the 19th October—may the next one be as interesting and enjoyable!
Earlier in this article it was said that our most important task was yet to come. As the book goes to print that task is all behind us—our eventful cruise as Flagship to The Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleet, Admiral Sir John Frewin, was a fitting climax to this commission.
Following our leave we sailed on 23rd August for Devonport where, despite the inclement weather, we had 22,000 visitors during Navy Days. At 0030 on Tuesday, 30th August we slipped, made our way up Channel, where the Admiral embarked and steamed through the Kid Canal, having been involved in a minor collision with a tanker in thick fog at the entrance to the canal—our destination Leningrad!
We were the first R.N. Ship to visit the Soviet Union for over ten years and from the beginning of the visit it was apparent that we were very welcome. The salute to the Commander-in-Chief from the Russian Fleet based at Kronstadt was a memorable sight as we steamed up the Neva River in the gathering dusk. Nowhere else in the world have we aroused such interest ashore! It was a common sight to see groups of two or three members of the Ship’s Company ashore surrounded by forty or fifty curious citizens of Leningrad plying them with questions. Our hosts of the Russian Navy looked after us well. Sightseeing trips were the
we departed after a few fascinating days. Official opinion has since declared the visit a great success-—Britain’s finest ambassadors have done it again!
Helsinki was a disappointment in a way—an expensive run ashore and there was some reluctance on the part of bar owners to serve men in uniform. However, beer was drunk, sauna baths were taken and we even played cricket!
Our final call was to Gdynia where the welcoming ceremony by units of the Polish Navy was an indication of how well organised the preparations had been for our visit.
Gdynia will be remembered for the excellent runs ashore, for the vast numbers of “four stripers,” for the fascinating way in which the old parts of the towns have been rebuilt as they were many years ago and as the time when DEVONSHIRE re-wrote the dull book for wreath-laying ceremonies!
We returned to Home Waters proud to have been Flagship to the Commander-in-Chief for his series of important visits and talks and taking satisfaction in a job well done. Successful firings now completed we await the start of the refit in Portsmouth—this commission officially ends on the 19th October—may the next one be as interesting and enjoyable!