HMS BERMUDA 1954
On the Mediterranean Station in 1954 there are royal and presidential visitors as well as some good runs ashore before Plymouth Breakwater heaves into view late in the year.
On the Mediterranean Station in 1954 there are royal and presidential visitors as well as some good runs ashore before Plymouth Breakwater heaves into view late in the year.
The first day of 1954 was passed anticipating and preparing for the ship's forthcoming Fleet Inspection. Well, alright, some were ashore testing the beer, bar staff and limits of the girls if they got the chance! Ashore or not they were lucky for HMS REGGIO, ST KITTS and BARHILL went off to sea followed a couple of days later by DARING amongst others.
On Tuesday the Inspection started in earnest and continued for the ten days with the Fleet Gunnery, Engineering, Electrical, Communications, Supply, Medical and other departmental officers scrutinising the ship and those in her.
On Saturday both the CinC and FO2 visited and on Monday morning it was off to sea for two days of drills and evolutions. They did everything from a 6" bombardment to extinguishing "Fire in the Paint Shop" before the convoy clock and clattering china signalled zig-zagging was going to disturb the night. After a morning of more manoeuvres the picking-up rope was secured to No 6 Berth at 1300 on Tuesday the 12th. The rest of the week was spent topping up magazines and store rooms and cleaning up ready for Tuesday's FO 2 Divisions which brought the inspection to a close save for one re-scrub.
Pleasure was in prospect when the slip rope was let go at 0920 on Wednesday and HMS BERMUDA, with others, headed for the Ligurian Sea to go stern-to on Livorno's 63 Berth on Friday morning. By 0415 next morning some were boarding buses for the 160 odd miles journey back south for a day in Rome. The closer destinations of Pisa and Florence were more widely sought by others later in the day but not before Captain's Messdeck Rounds. Dignitaries came and went as usual so too did a steady stream of visitors during 2 x three-hour open ship sessions over the weekend.
Soon it was Wednesday and special sea dutymen were at their stations before 1000 to take the ship south to an anchorage off Elba for a couple of hours to fuel WRANGLER alongside before continuing on passage at 2100. Because a low cloud base on Thursday morning caused the cancellation of the planned air defence exercise the ship went into a full power trial through the forenoon which hastened her return to Malta where the familiar No 6 Berth was taken up at 1540 on Friday the 29th,
The ship had covered 1380 miles in the month of January.
On Saturday both the CinC and FO2 visited and on Monday morning it was off to sea for two days of drills and evolutions. They did everything from a 6" bombardment to extinguishing "Fire in the Paint Shop" before the convoy clock and clattering china signalled zig-zagging was going to disturb the night. After a morning of more manoeuvres the picking-up rope was secured to No 6 Berth at 1300 on Tuesday the 12th. The rest of the week was spent topping up magazines and store rooms and cleaning up ready for Tuesday's FO 2 Divisions which brought the inspection to a close save for one re-scrub.
Pleasure was in prospect when the slip rope was let go at 0920 on Wednesday and HMS BERMUDA, with others, headed for the Ligurian Sea to go stern-to on Livorno's 63 Berth on Friday morning. By 0415 next morning some were boarding buses for the 160 odd miles journey back south for a day in Rome. The closer destinations of Pisa and Florence were more widely sought by others later in the day but not before Captain's Messdeck Rounds. Dignitaries came and went as usual so too did a steady stream of visitors during 2 x three-hour open ship sessions over the weekend.
Soon it was Wednesday and special sea dutymen were at their stations before 1000 to take the ship south to an anchorage off Elba for a couple of hours to fuel WRANGLER alongside before continuing on passage at 2100. Because a low cloud base on Thursday morning caused the cancellation of the planned air defence exercise the ship went into a full power trial through the forenoon which hastened her return to Malta where the familiar No 6 Berth was taken up at 1540 on Friday the 29th,
The ship had covered 1380 miles in the month of January.
HMS WRANGLER (1944-1956) then SA Navy VRYSTAAT (1956-1976)
By Monday morning, the 1st of February, FO 2's flag could be seen flying in GAMBIA as she entered Grand Harbour - he certainly moved around! In BERMUDA a new face joined the Wardroom Mess in the form of Lt Cdr (E) Cummings who shook hands with and bade farewell to Lt Cdr Keppel. Just after 0800 BERMUDA was again filling the harbour entrance as she passed outwards and into air defence exercises with aircraft from Hal Far. After a night at sea a gun calibration team was picked up before the ship went off to spend the day and night laying and training guns and knocking more lumps off Filfla before returning to harbour mid afternoon on Friday.
Grand Harbour as well as Sliema and other Creeks were full of colour on Saturday with ships dressed overall for Ascension Day. Beneath the bunting BERMUDA was a hive of activity as paintwork was washed, brightwork polished and uniforms pressed in readiness for First Sea Lord's (Admiral of the Fleet Sir Rhoderick McGrigor, GCB, KCB, CB, DSO) Divisions at 1000 next day. An interesting array of uniforms ascended the accommodation ladder early on Monday smartly covering French, Greek, Italian and Turkish Admirals/Captains. Then BERMUDA with GLASGOW, GAMBIA, GLORY and others sailed into a 'FEBEX' series of drills and exercises during which at 1151 - just in time for dinner - BERMUDA shot down the winged target. A busy afternoon meant it was nearly 1900 when the ship returned to harbour.
For the next seven days the ship was stored and watered and maintained as well as welcoming visitors on Sunday afternoon. All too soon for some and not soon enough for others they went back to sea at 0800 on Monday the 15th to polish the art of chasing, or more importantly, finding submarines with SENTINEL the target. The First watch was spent at anchor before returning to the chase. Engine and Director trials filled the forenoon before they returned to No 6 Berth early afternoon on Wednesday. The next run to sea began soon after 0800 on Wednesday the 24th when the first task was to "practice meeting and manoeuvring for the Royal Yacht" using ST KITTS. After that the day was spent on standard evolutions eg steering gear breakdown, boat drills, OOW manoeuvres etc. After supper the ship was darkened and went, with ST KITTS and ROEBUCK, into an anti-submarine exercises through the night and the next day until anchoring in Marsaxslokk at 1700. An 0745 start on Friday took the ship into air interception training and a return to Grand Harbour at 1400.
There seems to have been a little disciplinary hiccup during the last week of February resulting in a total of 6 men being landed to Corradino M.C.E. - three on Tuesday and the others on Friday.
Miles in the month of February came to 1227.
There were an unusual number of submarines about in Grand Harbour in the first few days of March as BERMUDA lay on 6 Berth at 8 hours notice. TOKEN, TALENT and TUDOR moved out as did the LST STRIKER and 4040, ML P2577, GAMBIA, WARRIOR, DELIGHT plus RFA ROWANOL and BLUE RANGER. The Pakistan Navy's TIPPU SULTAN (ex HMS ONSLOW: a sister of OBDURATE) went into and came out of No 3 Dock on the 9th. On the same day BERMUDA embarked the Pipe Band of the 1st Battalion of the Royal Scots Greys.
Grand Harbour as well as Sliema and other Creeks were full of colour on Saturday with ships dressed overall for Ascension Day. Beneath the bunting BERMUDA was a hive of activity as paintwork was washed, brightwork polished and uniforms pressed in readiness for First Sea Lord's (Admiral of the Fleet Sir Rhoderick McGrigor, GCB, KCB, CB, DSO) Divisions at 1000 next day. An interesting array of uniforms ascended the accommodation ladder early on Monday smartly covering French, Greek, Italian and Turkish Admirals/Captains. Then BERMUDA with GLASGOW, GAMBIA, GLORY and others sailed into a 'FEBEX' series of drills and exercises during which at 1151 - just in time for dinner - BERMUDA shot down the winged target. A busy afternoon meant it was nearly 1900 when the ship returned to harbour.
For the next seven days the ship was stored and watered and maintained as well as welcoming visitors on Sunday afternoon. All too soon for some and not soon enough for others they went back to sea at 0800 on Monday the 15th to polish the art of chasing, or more importantly, finding submarines with SENTINEL the target. The First watch was spent at anchor before returning to the chase. Engine and Director trials filled the forenoon before they returned to No 6 Berth early afternoon on Wednesday. The next run to sea began soon after 0800 on Wednesday the 24th when the first task was to "practice meeting and manoeuvring for the Royal Yacht" using ST KITTS. After that the day was spent on standard evolutions eg steering gear breakdown, boat drills, OOW manoeuvres etc. After supper the ship was darkened and went, with ST KITTS and ROEBUCK, into an anti-submarine exercises through the night and the next day until anchoring in Marsaxslokk at 1700. An 0745 start on Friday took the ship into air interception training and a return to Grand Harbour at 1400.
There seems to have been a little disciplinary hiccup during the last week of February resulting in a total of 6 men being landed to Corradino M.C.E. - three on Tuesday and the others on Friday.
Miles in the month of February came to 1227.
There were an unusual number of submarines about in Grand Harbour in the first few days of March as BERMUDA lay on 6 Berth at 8 hours notice. TOKEN, TALENT and TUDOR moved out as did the LST STRIKER and 4040, ML P2577, GAMBIA, WARRIOR, DELIGHT plus RFA ROWANOL and BLUE RANGER. The Pakistan Navy's TIPPU SULTAN (ex HMS ONSLOW: a sister of OBDURATE) went into and came out of No 3 Dock on the 9th. On the same day BERMUDA embarked the Pipe Band of the 1st Battalion of the Royal Scots Greys.
HMS TUDOR (1944-1963)
A Funeral Party - landed to Ricasoli Sunday forenoon - had returned by the time sunset sounded around the harbour as BERMUDA eased out through the Breakwater. She soon darkened ship together with GAMBIA, the 1st Destroyer Squadron and DARING as submarines were sliding around beneath them at the start of another week of intense exercises ranging from convoy escort to transfers to air defence and action messing not to mention refuelling and atomic bursts and pre-wetting. This week was different though for not only were most of the Malta ships present but so also was our only battleship HMS VANGUARD (CinC Home Fleet, Admiral Sir Michael Denny, GCB, KCB, CB, CBE, DSO). She came fresh from her annual docking in Gibraltar and brought with her SUPERB and a number of Home Fleet ships to join in the fun!
HMS VANGUARD 1944-1960 (1947 Pic. Alf Lawson)
The two fleets completed their exercises on Friday the 19th and BERMUDA secured alongside GAMBIA on Gibraltar's No43 Berth where she stayed for a week save for a hurricane warning that forced them to sea on Thursday the 25th for 20 hours or so.
On Monday morning, the 29th, ships left Gibraltar in a stream with BERMUDA's turn coming just before 1100. Port wheel was applied and with EAGLE, GAMBIA, CHEVIOT, CHEQUERS, BARFLEUR, DARING AND TUDOR amongst the group it was into battle practice again for another week. CHEQUERS, at speed in a darkened fleet, suffered a total power loss at 0105 on Thursday which prompted some rapid course and speed alterations and the fleet to light up like christmas trees very quickly indeed.
March ended with the ship 'somewhere in the Western Med' having run a distance of 1800 nautical miles in the month.
EAGLE's aircraft attacked the fleet on and off through Thursday and Friday as one part tried to screen the other or ships replenished one another. That all came to an end on Saturday when BERMUDA let go her port anchor off Ajaccio, Corsica, at 1010. Everyone then had the opportunity to have a swim, go sailing or get ready to go ashore. Some did all of those things whilst others just got their heads down. The ship welcomed visitors for the customary three hours on Sunday afternoon.
It was an early start on Friday morning when Special Sea Dutymen were called to their stations at 0245 to get the ship underway to meet and store from FORT DUQUESNE enroute to Naples where they arrived at 1000 on Saturday. With the unique and much admired pipe band the ship went through the 'courtesies' once more over a long weekend. For some a memory of home was jogged by the arrival & departure of the liner ORANTES on Monday. FO 2's flag was transferred to CHEQUERS next morning just before sailing and later in the day the fleet practiced again routines for meeting the Royal Yacht as they made their way towards Malta. Arriving on No 5 Berth mid morning the Royal Scots Greys Pipe Band soon found themselves saying their goodbyes after a trip of a lifetime as the guests of Her Majesty's Navy. They had all been much acclaimed by sailors and civilians alike and some of them, it was rumoured, had even grown quite fond of rum!
On Monday morning, the 29th, ships left Gibraltar in a stream with BERMUDA's turn coming just before 1100. Port wheel was applied and with EAGLE, GAMBIA, CHEVIOT, CHEQUERS, BARFLEUR, DARING AND TUDOR amongst the group it was into battle practice again for another week. CHEQUERS, at speed in a darkened fleet, suffered a total power loss at 0105 on Thursday which prompted some rapid course and speed alterations and the fleet to light up like christmas trees very quickly indeed.
March ended with the ship 'somewhere in the Western Med' having run a distance of 1800 nautical miles in the month.
EAGLE's aircraft attacked the fleet on and off through Thursday and Friday as one part tried to screen the other or ships replenished one another. That all came to an end on Saturday when BERMUDA let go her port anchor off Ajaccio, Corsica, at 1010. Everyone then had the opportunity to have a swim, go sailing or get ready to go ashore. Some did all of those things whilst others just got their heads down. The ship welcomed visitors for the customary three hours on Sunday afternoon.
It was an early start on Friday morning when Special Sea Dutymen were called to their stations at 0245 to get the ship underway to meet and store from FORT DUQUESNE enroute to Naples where they arrived at 1000 on Saturday. With the unique and much admired pipe band the ship went through the 'courtesies' once more over a long weekend. For some a memory of home was jogged by the arrival & departure of the liner ORANTES on Monday. FO 2's flag was transferred to CHEQUERS next morning just before sailing and later in the day the fleet practiced again routines for meeting the Royal Yacht as they made their way towards Malta. Arriving on No 5 Berth mid morning the Royal Scots Greys Pipe Band soon found themselves saying their goodbyes after a trip of a lifetime as the guests of Her Majesty's Navy. They had all been much acclaimed by sailors and civilians alike and some of them, it was rumoured, had even grown quite fond of rum!
HMS EAGLE 1951-1978
The next week was spent cleaning, polishing, painting and making good.
On Thursday the 22nd a brand-new and highly polished vessel bearing the name HM Yacht BRITANNIA entered Grand Harbour.
BERMUDA spent the remainder of the month in harbour with dress rehearsals ashore that included Armed Services Day parade and street lining in readiness for some very special events for the Government and people of Malta as well as the RN and other services.
April's sea-time had clocked up 1230 miles.
At 1000 on the sunny 1st of May BERMUDA, with a large press contingent plus Army, RAF personnel and Sea Scouts aboard, left harbour to spend the day running through the manoeuvres and practices to be followed when meeting the Royal Yacht.
Whilst HMS BERMUDA practised HMY BRITANNIA was at Tobruk embarking HM The Queen and Prince Philip for the passage to Malta and their five-day visit. Next morning it was for real with the ship and those in her looking their best. "Clear Lower Deck - Man ship" was piped at 1030 as the unmistakable silhouette of the RY became visible in a warship-crowded sea. At 1129 precisely BRITANNIA and HM The Queen were close abeam and the ship's company of HMS BERMUDA proudly gave the customary three rousing cheers in return for a wave from HM and Prince Philip. Continuing their escort during the afternoon the ship's companies were able to watch both helicopter and fixed wing aircraft fly past.
On Thursday the 22nd a brand-new and highly polished vessel bearing the name HM Yacht BRITANNIA entered Grand Harbour.
BERMUDA spent the remainder of the month in harbour with dress rehearsals ashore that included Armed Services Day parade and street lining in readiness for some very special events for the Government and people of Malta as well as the RN and other services.
April's sea-time had clocked up 1230 miles.
At 1000 on the sunny 1st of May BERMUDA, with a large press contingent plus Army, RAF personnel and Sea Scouts aboard, left harbour to spend the day running through the manoeuvres and practices to be followed when meeting the Royal Yacht.
Whilst HMS BERMUDA practised HMY BRITANNIA was at Tobruk embarking HM The Queen and Prince Philip for the passage to Malta and their five-day visit. Next morning it was for real with the ship and those in her looking their best. "Clear Lower Deck - Man ship" was piped at 1030 as the unmistakable silhouette of the RY became visible in a warship-crowded sea. At 1129 precisely BRITANNIA and HM The Queen were close abeam and the ship's company of HMS BERMUDA proudly gave the customary three rousing cheers in return for a wave from HM and Prince Philip. Continuing their escort during the afternoon the ship's companies were able to watch both helicopter and fixed wing aircraft fly past.
Ships of the Med. Fleet escort HMY BRITANNIA, with the Queen embarked for the first time, from Tobruk to Malta May 1954.
Illuminated in Grand Harbour Malta BRITANNIA, GLASGOW, GAMBIA and BERMUDA. (Pics: Stan Jones)
Illuminated in Grand Harbour Malta BRITANNIA, GLASGOW, GAMBIA and BERMUDA. (Pics: Stan Jones)
The Royal Yacht was secured when BERMUDA took up the buoys of No 5 Berth at 1000 the next morning from where those engaged in the ceremonial of the Royal visit from the 3rd to the 7th of May came and went. BRITANNIA's next stop was Gibraltar on the 11th where their children Prince Charles (6yo) and Princess Anne (3yo) joined them for the final leg of their round-the-world Commonwealth Tour that took them back to a rapturous London welcome-home.
Through the day on Tuesday the 18th of May, as LCT's STRIKER and REGGIO left harbour, BERMUDA was busy embarking Royal Marine Commandos and troops. That completed, the ship slipped at 1715 and headed east to anchor off Tripoli at the end of the morning watch on Wednesday. There the embarked personnel transferred to STRIKER & REGGIO alongside during the forenoon to go off and do some landing exercises. BERMUDA went off to hone torpedo firing skills before stopping for an evening swim. Next morning an anti-submarine exercise took the ship towards Malta's St Paul's Bay and anchor just after 1400. Starting away at 0700 the ship was soon into air interception training that continued until she returned to Grand Harbour mid-afternoon on Friday. Monday the 24th was Empire Day but for BERMUDA it was masthead flags only as she headed to sea at 0800 for a day of evolutions before anchoring in St Paul's Bay with CUMBERLAND.
Both ships were underway by 0620 for anti-submarine exercises including torpedo firings and afterwards returned to Grand Harbour. The rest of the month passed with storing and ammunitioning and the return onboard of FO 2. On the last day, a Sunday, a 'Royal Guard' was landed for training in the morning and the ship was opened to visitors in the afternoon..
1257 nautical miles were logged through May 1954.
Through the day on Tuesday the 18th of May, as LCT's STRIKER and REGGIO left harbour, BERMUDA was busy embarking Royal Marine Commandos and troops. That completed, the ship slipped at 1715 and headed east to anchor off Tripoli at the end of the morning watch on Wednesday. There the embarked personnel transferred to STRIKER & REGGIO alongside during the forenoon to go off and do some landing exercises. BERMUDA went off to hone torpedo firing skills before stopping for an evening swim. Next morning an anti-submarine exercise took the ship towards Malta's St Paul's Bay and anchor just after 1400. Starting away at 0700 the ship was soon into air interception training that continued until she returned to Grand Harbour mid-afternoon on Friday. Monday the 24th was Empire Day but for BERMUDA it was masthead flags only as she headed to sea at 0800 for a day of evolutions before anchoring in St Paul's Bay with CUMBERLAND.
Both ships were underway by 0620 for anti-submarine exercises including torpedo firings and afterwards returned to Grand Harbour. The rest of the month passed with storing and ammunitioning and the return onboard of FO 2. On the last day, a Sunday, a 'Royal Guard' was landed for training in the morning and the ship was opened to visitors in the afternoon..
1257 nautical miles were logged through May 1954.
The first day of June saw the beginning of a great new adventure for six Boy Telegraphists who joined the ship fresh from the UK. They were just in time to hear FO2 address the ship's company and had time to look around the ship before going to sea at 0755 on Saturday where they felt the first shock of 6" gun firings and pleasure of seeing DARING & DELIGHT on the quarters of the ship as they raced through the blue sea. They were allowed on the upper deck for the 4" gun firings and the zig-zagging above the submarine SENTINEL. The anchor was let go off Larnaca, after an early air defence exercise, at 1000.
FO2's car was landed and so too was the RM Band for various functions including celebration of the official birthday of HM The Queen. On the day there was a morning and evening swim and, of course, a 21 gun salute at Noon. In the evening the ship's 1st & 2nd whalers left the ship to sail together to Beirut. Next morning, Friday the 11th, the Captain addressed the ship's company before sailing the ship at 1620 for Beirut. Arriving the next morning, firing a 21 gun salute, the ship secured at 0825 and prepared to receive Ambassadors, Ministers, Administrators and Military leaders as well as more humble visitors.
There were cocktail parties, Royal Marines Beating the Retreat and runs ashore before the Lebanese President embarked on Thursday to be taken to sea to look down the barrels of DARING & DELIGHT's guns as they carried out a throw-off shoot on BERMUDA. That was successful and succeeded by close-range weapons firings and Jackstay transfers before he disembarked and the ship went on her way.
Another 21g salute was fired at 0800 the next morning as the ship approached Iskanderun, Turkey tucked up in the NE corner of the Mediterranean Sea. Here the civic and military courtesies were repeated during the weekend visit. Sailing time was midday on Monday and the ship, with others including some Turkish, exercised their way to landings in Khrysokhou Bay with air attacks thrown in for good measure.
That done they continued the air theme with British, Turkish and New Zealand aircraft participating in attacks as they worked their way south and then north to arrive in Izmir at 0800 on Friday morning having repelled an air attack by Turkish Air Force F84's soon after 0500. A pleasant weekend respite was spent there before sailing in the Dog Watches on Sunday so as to arrive in Piraeus by 0900 on Monday the 28th. A Greek national holiday saw the ship dressed overall and on the last day of the month the ship welcomed visitors. The weather at Noon was SE Force 1 wind, blue sky, Air temp. 91º, Sea Temp 82º.
The month's excursions to and in the eastern Med. totalled 2380nm
.
FO2's car was landed and so too was the RM Band for various functions including celebration of the official birthday of HM The Queen. On the day there was a morning and evening swim and, of course, a 21 gun salute at Noon. In the evening the ship's 1st & 2nd whalers left the ship to sail together to Beirut. Next morning, Friday the 11th, the Captain addressed the ship's company before sailing the ship at 1620 for Beirut. Arriving the next morning, firing a 21 gun salute, the ship secured at 0825 and prepared to receive Ambassadors, Ministers, Administrators and Military leaders as well as more humble visitors.
There were cocktail parties, Royal Marines Beating the Retreat and runs ashore before the Lebanese President embarked on Thursday to be taken to sea to look down the barrels of DARING & DELIGHT's guns as they carried out a throw-off shoot on BERMUDA. That was successful and succeeded by close-range weapons firings and Jackstay transfers before he disembarked and the ship went on her way.
Another 21g salute was fired at 0800 the next morning as the ship approached Iskanderun, Turkey tucked up in the NE corner of the Mediterranean Sea. Here the civic and military courtesies were repeated during the weekend visit. Sailing time was midday on Monday and the ship, with others including some Turkish, exercised their way to landings in Khrysokhou Bay with air attacks thrown in for good measure.
That done they continued the air theme with British, Turkish and New Zealand aircraft participating in attacks as they worked their way south and then north to arrive in Izmir at 0800 on Friday morning having repelled an air attack by Turkish Air Force F84's soon after 0500. A pleasant weekend respite was spent there before sailing in the Dog Watches on Sunday so as to arrive in Piraeus by 0900 on Monday the 28th. A Greek national holiday saw the ship dressed overall and on the last day of the month the ship welcomed visitors. The weather at Noon was SE Force 1 wind, blue sky, Air temp. 91º, Sea Temp 82º.
The month's excursions to and in the eastern Med. totalled 2380nm
.
(Above) A fish-eye view of HMS BERMUDA in the Mediterannean in 1953-4. (Below) Leading Writer Jones keeping the account right on pay-day. (Pics. Stan Jones)
The anchor was again being hosed off at 0700 as the ship headed out of the Bay towards the Petali Islands where the King and Queen of Greece were piped aboard at midday. They then joined the ship's company to have their photograph taken before going on that express their thanks and appreciation for the effort and valuable aid given following last year's earthquake. Whilst they lunched the hands went swimming. With both the royal party and swimmers refreshed the King and Queen disembarked and BERMUDA sailed at 1600 for Malta.
Ship's Company pictured with the Greek Royal Family (Pic. 'Stan' Jones)
A berth on Boathouse Wharf was taken on Monday before moving out to No 8 Buoy on Friday in time to see the Troop Ship CHESHIRE arrive at 1525 and leave again at 1755 - no time wasted there then! Grand Harbour was once more left astern and the ship went into 'war' mode soon after 0930 on Sunday for a week of continuous exercises under the title of 'Medflex Baker'. Tired they returned to harbour on Friday afternoon but only for an overnight stay to take on essentials.
The slip-rope was recovered at 1330 on Saturday to enable BERMUDA to arrive at the top of the Adriatic and No 24 Berth on Mole IV at Trieste on Monday evening for a five day visit. On three of those days visitors and a children's party were on the menu and the ship was impressively floodlit each night while those off watch sought out the various places of interest ashore.
Miles in the month of July came to 1604.
To sea on a Sunday morning again! This time a departure at 0925 on the 1st of August got the ship onto No 8 in Malta at the same time on Tuesday to give time for Departments to prepare and practice for Thursday's noisy and much enjoyed 'Ship's Regatta' On Friday the ship moved alongside GLASGOW and then, with the aid of tugs ROBUST & RESPOND, docked down in No 5 Dock on Tuesday. 'Hands employed cleaning ship's bottom' became the daily chore as the rest of the month went by.
August log miles arose from the return to Malta from Trieste and came to 747.
September the 1st was a Wednesday and a good day to undock so by midday the ship was on Parlatorio Wharf ready for basin trials. They went well and with paint cats following astern BERMUDA moved back onto No 8 to concentrate on painting above the waterline. There wasn't much time to do it as the ship was away to sea before 0800 Monday morning with GAMBIA and SURPRISE for two concentrated days of trials and calibrations.
Just before 0900 on Wednesday BERMUDA joined other ships of the Fleet in Palmas Bay
for two Fleet/Cruiser Regatta days with all including CinC present. The latter gave cause for overnight General Drills on Saturday night which found BERMUDA having to meet the orders of, for example, Envelope 33 = Fire rocket; Env 29 = Put on green masthead light & Env 30 = Ships boat to lay a Dan buoy.
Miles in the month of July came to 1604.
To sea on a Sunday morning again! This time a departure at 0925 on the 1st of August got the ship onto No 8 in Malta at the same time on Tuesday to give time for Departments to prepare and practice for Thursday's noisy and much enjoyed 'Ship's Regatta' On Friday the ship moved alongside GLASGOW and then, with the aid of tugs ROBUST & RESPOND, docked down in No 5 Dock on Tuesday. 'Hands employed cleaning ship's bottom' became the daily chore as the rest of the month went by.
August log miles arose from the return to Malta from Trieste and came to 747.
September the 1st was a Wednesday and a good day to undock so by midday the ship was on Parlatorio Wharf ready for basin trials. They went well and with paint cats following astern BERMUDA moved back onto No 8 to concentrate on painting above the waterline. There wasn't much time to do it as the ship was away to sea before 0800 Monday morning with GAMBIA and SURPRISE for two concentrated days of trials and calibrations.
Just before 0900 on Wednesday BERMUDA joined other ships of the Fleet in Palmas Bay
for two Fleet/Cruiser Regatta days with all including CinC present. The latter gave cause for overnight General Drills on Saturday night which found BERMUDA having to meet the orders of, for example, Envelope 33 = Fire rocket; Env 29 = Put on green masthead light & Env 30 = Ships boat to lay a Dan buoy.
HMS SURPRISE (Despatch Vessel) 1946-1965.
At 0915 on Sunday morning BERMUDA, in common with the other ships, went to Divisions. For most onboard it was a bit special but Acting Local Leading Writer David Stanley Jones had taken just that little extra effort in preparing his uniform for, exceptionally, he was to have his rank substantiated by non other than the Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Fleet, Vice-Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten.
David (Stan) Jones being congratulated by Lord Mountbatten on 12 September 1954. (Pics. Stan)
Weighing at 1120 the cruisers BERMUDA, GAMBIA & GLASGOW (FO2) first carried out a combined 6" shoot and then went off for high speed manoeuvres which brought on deck those who normally spent most of their working lives in artificial light deep within the ships. They arrived off Girolata next morning and landed camping parties for a 24 hour expedition. Porto Gulf was the next anchorage where the Royal Marines went off on a banyan. On Saturday morning a short stop was made at I'l Rousse enroute to Taranto where BERMUDA secured at 0900 on Sunday morning to be hosted by the Italian Navy for four days. The next port of call was the magnificent Venice for a five day visit which ended with an 0800 sailing on Thursday the 29th of September.
At the end of September BERMUDA had steamed 1453 nm's.
Before her arrival back in Malta on Monday the 4th the ship had run for a couple of hours at full power attaining 30.3 kts and carried out manoeuvres and transfers with four Pakistan Navy destroyers. A quiet week followed before another three days were spent at sea on 4 and 6 inch firings at air and sea targets. From the 18th to the 22nd of October the ship was stored and ammunitioned and loaded cars and Commando baggage as well.
BERMUDA left Grand Harbour Malta at 0850 on Saturday the 23rd with HMS DARING. Later in the day salutes were exchanged with the four Pakistan ships and two USN destroyers as the BERMUDA made west to secure in Gibraltar on Tuesday. Here 'Both Watches' had a chance to inspect the Main Street bars before their 0900 departure on Friday. The ship ran at full power from 1330 to 1530 out towards Cape St Vincent and the month ended heading north with thoughts of seeing family and friends uppermost in most people's minds.
HM Customs were waiting when the ship anchored beneath Plymouth Hoe soon after 1700 on Monday the 1st of November. By 2330 Excise Duty, where due, had been collected by them on all the 'Rabbits' allowing the ship to move
into Devonport Dockyard next morning. Home at last at the end of 19½ months away.
Before leave - other than for natives - there was the small job of landing and taking on stores not to mention Divisions on Wednesday morning. Only when that was completed did Leave and Drafting begin.
Sacrificing the end of month running log in order to cover the final few miles to Plymouth a total of 3107 nautical miles passed under the ship between the 1st of October and and the 1st of November 1954 and there was no further running in the year.
Moving into No 4 Basin on the 10th of December dockyard mateys were all over the ship to ready her for 1955 while her officers and men caught up on all the jobs that a dockyard wall makes either feasible or easier. In between that they took their well earned Leave.
At the end of September BERMUDA had steamed 1453 nm's.
Before her arrival back in Malta on Monday the 4th the ship had run for a couple of hours at full power attaining 30.3 kts and carried out manoeuvres and transfers with four Pakistan Navy destroyers. A quiet week followed before another three days were spent at sea on 4 and 6 inch firings at air and sea targets. From the 18th to the 22nd of October the ship was stored and ammunitioned and loaded cars and Commando baggage as well.
BERMUDA left Grand Harbour Malta at 0850 on Saturday the 23rd with HMS DARING. Later in the day salutes were exchanged with the four Pakistan ships and two USN destroyers as the BERMUDA made west to secure in Gibraltar on Tuesday. Here 'Both Watches' had a chance to inspect the Main Street bars before their 0900 departure on Friday. The ship ran at full power from 1330 to 1530 out towards Cape St Vincent and the month ended heading north with thoughts of seeing family and friends uppermost in most people's minds.
HM Customs were waiting when the ship anchored beneath Plymouth Hoe soon after 1700 on Monday the 1st of November. By 2330 Excise Duty, where due, had been collected by them on all the 'Rabbits' allowing the ship to move
into Devonport Dockyard next morning. Home at last at the end of 19½ months away.
Before leave - other than for natives - there was the small job of landing and taking on stores not to mention Divisions on Wednesday morning. Only when that was completed did Leave and Drafting begin.
Sacrificing the end of month running log in order to cover the final few miles to Plymouth a total of 3107 nautical miles passed under the ship between the 1st of October and and the 1st of November 1954 and there was no further running in the year.
Moving into No 4 Basin on the 10th of December dockyard mateys were all over the ship to ready her for 1955 while her officers and men caught up on all the jobs that a dockyard wall makes either feasible or easier. In between that they took their well earned Leave.
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This HMS BERMUDA 1954 section first published online 2004 and since revised.
