HMS BERMUDA 1962-1965
The dawning of 1962 heralds the sunset for Her Majesty's Ship BERMUDA. This page records the last months of the ship's service that includes her third and final visit to the colony. It ends with the ship's return to metal fragments!
The dawning of 1962 heralds the sunset for Her Majesty's Ship BERMUDA. This page records the last months of the ship's service that includes her third and final visit to the colony. It ends with the ship's return to metal fragments!
Among the earliest New Year ship movements at Portsmouth in 1962 was the frigate LYNX, she left harbour at 2100 on the 2nd. By the 4th WAKEFUL had resumed her day-running as BRIGHTON berthed on BERMUDA's port side.
On Monday the 8th ammunition barges were alongside to replenish BERMUDA's magazines soon after colours and during the day the Commanding Officers of LOCH RUTHVEN, BRIGHTON, ROCKET and SOLEBAY, amongst others, called on BERMUDA and FOF(H). All Christmas leave was complete by the following Monday, the 15th, when at 1130 BERMUDA was hauled off by the tugs FORCEFUL & CAPABLE. She was soon out through the Needles Channel and into AA Action Stations before going to surface Action at 1423. At 1700 the ship was secured to Portland No 2 Buoy and soon after Flag Officer Sea Training was onboard meeting Flag Officer Flotillas (Home). Later in the evening the Captains of SAINTES, SOLEBAY, FINISTERRE, CAMPERDOWN, JUTLAND & TRAFALGAR called on FOF.
The buoy was slipped at 0750 the next morning as the ships got down to serious training. BERMUDA got on with 4" AA tracking and then spent the afternoon doing jackstay transfers with TRAFALGAR & JUTLAND before returning to Portland to anchor just after 1630. Wednesday's menu included 6" and 4" firings and helicopter transfer operations. Anti-submarine exercises took the ship, screened by the destroyers, through to the early hours of Thursday with the submarines PORPOISE and SCOUT doing their best to break through. The daylight hours started with TRAFALGAR being taken in tow and finished with fuelling from BLACK RANGER. On Friday the ship carried out Damage Control and Atomic, Biological, & Chemical Defence exercises as well as a transfer with each of the six destroyers. The good news was the familiar sight of South Railway Jetty at Portsmouth came alongside at 1800. It was almost 2300 before the two submarines got alongside DOLPHIN.
On Monday the 8th ammunition barges were alongside to replenish BERMUDA's magazines soon after colours and during the day the Commanding Officers of LOCH RUTHVEN, BRIGHTON, ROCKET and SOLEBAY, amongst others, called on BERMUDA and FOF(H). All Christmas leave was complete by the following Monday, the 15th, when at 1130 BERMUDA was hauled off by the tugs FORCEFUL & CAPABLE. She was soon out through the Needles Channel and into AA Action Stations before going to surface Action at 1423. At 1700 the ship was secured to Portland No 2 Buoy and soon after Flag Officer Sea Training was onboard meeting Flag Officer Flotillas (Home). Later in the evening the Captains of SAINTES, SOLEBAY, FINISTERRE, CAMPERDOWN, JUTLAND & TRAFALGAR called on FOF.
The buoy was slipped at 0750 the next morning as the ships got down to serious training. BERMUDA got on with 4" AA tracking and then spent the afternoon doing jackstay transfers with TRAFALGAR & JUTLAND before returning to Portland to anchor just after 1630. Wednesday's menu included 6" and 4" firings and helicopter transfer operations. Anti-submarine exercises took the ship, screened by the destroyers, through to the early hours of Thursday with the submarines PORPOISE and SCOUT doing their best to break through. The daylight hours started with TRAFALGAR being taken in tow and finished with fuelling from BLACK RANGER. On Friday the ship carried out Damage Control and Atomic, Biological, & Chemical Defence exercises as well as a transfer with each of the six destroyers. The good news was the familiar sight of South Railway Jetty at Portsmouth came alongside at 1800. It was almost 2300 before the two submarines got alongside DOLPHIN.
HMS SOLEBAY 1945-1966 HMS PORPOISE 1958-1984
The next week was spent alongside cleaning and maintaining interrupted only by the reading of Warrant No. 21, 'Captain's Address' on Thursday and the entry from sea of FORTH on Friday.
'All gone forrard' - 'All gone aft' was next heard on Tuesday the 30th as BERMUDA sailed at 1114 and into AA tracking once more. Plymouth Sound was entered at 2300 to transfer a rating to an MFV then it was back to sea to finish January 1962 off.
In a short sea-time January the ship logged 1295 nm's in 111 hours.
Thursday 1 February was used to sharpen up man-overboard skills for ship handlers, boats crews and lookouts alike. The ship's midday position was 47.00º North, 13.30º West thus off on another southerly sun-seeking passage. A close-range then 4" shoot took up the forenoon and the ship stopped in the afternoon for 'Away seaboat's crew'. On Sunday the Captain decided he would do weather deck rounds and the Navigating Officer reported the midday position as 41.00ºN, 35.16ºW. Sea routine saw the rest of the week through until Friday morning when, with an 11-gun salute BERMUDA secured starboard side to on Commercial Wharf, Ireland Island in Bermuda.
BERMUDA had carried additional 'passengers' from the UK to the Colony of Bermuda as Michael Jordan describes here:-
'BERMUDA was my first ship and what a start. I remember some dockyard maties came aboard and divided each of our Cells into two. The day we sailed some prison vans came from DARTMOOR PRISON bringing our guests. They had been transported the other way some two years before. They had with them English Warders. The passage back for them must not have been easy as the Atlantic is never like a millpond is it! They exercised once a day on A gundeck. When we arrived at Ireland Island they disembarked to be greeted by their own Staff.'
On Sunday the 11th hurricane hawsers were rigged and awnings tented in the face of a westerly wind that peaked at 45 knots around noon. At 1015 on Monday the ship sailed and was soon under air attack by aircraft from the Royal Canadian Navy's carrier BONAVENTURE as HMS LONDONDERRY raced around trying to fend them off. At nightfall the ships were darkened for a night exercise and the next two days were spent running, screening, attacking and repelling using all the ships armaments at one time or another before returning to Ireland Island at 1813 on Wednesday.
On Thursday morning the pipe 'Both Watches - Paint ship' saw everyone without a unique and hitherto unheard of excuse, armed with a paint brush or roller as the ship was made ready to show her best side to the capital, Hamilton, on Saturday morning. With the ship's company manning the side she had rarely looked better as she made her way in through the Sound. As always the Colony of Bermuda took a great deal of pride and pleasure in seeing 'their' ship and entertained the ship's company accordingly. The Governor came with bells, bugles and ceremony and so too did a great many of the general public. I have no doubt that 'up-homers' would have been enforced once more by many of them including perhaps those at the Faraway Cottage Colony who, in 1958, had entertained me and others so magnificently on the ship's first ever visit to the Colony.
Now just four years later it was her last visit. All too soon it was Friday the 23rd of February and amongst the crowd along the quayside there were men hovering around bollards while, in the ship, there was that discernible air of purpose - a modern day analogy might be the aircraft at the end of the runway ready for take-off - the difference here is that there are 700 people all with a job to do to make the 'take-off' of this 8,000 ton ship successful.
By 0905 the connection with the jetty was severed and BERMUDA was heading to sea, Landing Platoon training with rifles and Bren guns, Flag Officer's Rounds, the months end and Gibraltar.
February's totals were 390 hours underway covering 5,375 nautical miles (6186 statute miles or 9954 kilometres)
'All gone forrard' - 'All gone aft' was next heard on Tuesday the 30th as BERMUDA sailed at 1114 and into AA tracking once more. Plymouth Sound was entered at 2300 to transfer a rating to an MFV then it was back to sea to finish January 1962 off.
In a short sea-time January the ship logged 1295 nm's in 111 hours.
Thursday 1 February was used to sharpen up man-overboard skills for ship handlers, boats crews and lookouts alike. The ship's midday position was 47.00º North, 13.30º West thus off on another southerly sun-seeking passage. A close-range then 4" shoot took up the forenoon and the ship stopped in the afternoon for 'Away seaboat's crew'. On Sunday the Captain decided he would do weather deck rounds and the Navigating Officer reported the midday position as 41.00ºN, 35.16ºW. Sea routine saw the rest of the week through until Friday morning when, with an 11-gun salute BERMUDA secured starboard side to on Commercial Wharf, Ireland Island in Bermuda.
BERMUDA had carried additional 'passengers' from the UK to the Colony of Bermuda as Michael Jordan describes here:-
'BERMUDA was my first ship and what a start. I remember some dockyard maties came aboard and divided each of our Cells into two. The day we sailed some prison vans came from DARTMOOR PRISON bringing our guests. They had been transported the other way some two years before. They had with them English Warders. The passage back for them must not have been easy as the Atlantic is never like a millpond is it! They exercised once a day on A gundeck. When we arrived at Ireland Island they disembarked to be greeted by their own Staff.'
On Sunday the 11th hurricane hawsers were rigged and awnings tented in the face of a westerly wind that peaked at 45 knots around noon. At 1015 on Monday the ship sailed and was soon under air attack by aircraft from the Royal Canadian Navy's carrier BONAVENTURE as HMS LONDONDERRY raced around trying to fend them off. At nightfall the ships were darkened for a night exercise and the next two days were spent running, screening, attacking and repelling using all the ships armaments at one time or another before returning to Ireland Island at 1813 on Wednesday.
On Thursday morning the pipe 'Both Watches - Paint ship' saw everyone without a unique and hitherto unheard of excuse, armed with a paint brush or roller as the ship was made ready to show her best side to the capital, Hamilton, on Saturday morning. With the ship's company manning the side she had rarely looked better as she made her way in through the Sound. As always the Colony of Bermuda took a great deal of pride and pleasure in seeing 'their' ship and entertained the ship's company accordingly. The Governor came with bells, bugles and ceremony and so too did a great many of the general public. I have no doubt that 'up-homers' would have been enforced once more by many of them including perhaps those at the Faraway Cottage Colony who, in 1958, had entertained me and others so magnificently on the ship's first ever visit to the Colony.
Now just four years later it was her last visit. All too soon it was Friday the 23rd of February and amongst the crowd along the quayside there were men hovering around bollards while, in the ship, there was that discernible air of purpose - a modern day analogy might be the aircraft at the end of the runway ready for take-off - the difference here is that there are 700 people all with a job to do to make the 'take-off' of this 8,000 ton ship successful.
By 0905 the connection with the jetty was severed and BERMUDA was heading to sea, Landing Platoon training with rifles and Bren guns, Flag Officer's Rounds, the months end and Gibraltar.
February's totals were 390 hours underway covering 5,375 nautical miles (6186 statute miles or 9954 kilometres)
The silver 'trophies' of HMS BERMUDA displayed on the Quarterdeck beneath the ship's silver bell during one of her three visits to the Colony.
From the time of her first commissioning in 1942 the people of the Colony of Bermuda had not only presented silver to the ship but had also been extremely generous in gifting many 'comforts'. During the war years, when even the existence of the ship was 'Secret', they included a piano, laundry equipment, magazine supplies, cigarettes and tobacco. When the ship arrived in Freemantle in 1945 everyone onboard received a 'comforts pack' from the people of Bermuda. Though the UK Government had in place a £250-per-ship gift ceiling the Colony was creative and determined in their efforts to make life better for the ship's company and it was appreciated.
Thursday the 1st of March arrived with visibility down to 1 mile and it stayed that way until 0630 as the ship continued up the Atlantic. During the day the Admiral did Messdeck Rounds and the Platoon Sections continued their training on the Quarterdeck. RFA TIDEREACH came into sight as it got light on Friday morning and BERMUDA oiled from her for just over an hour during the forenoon. As a formal salute as well as a means of gaining attention, BERMUDA fired an 11-gun salute as she made her way through Gibraltar's North Entrance and onto 46 Berth a little after 0900 on Saturday.
General care and maintenance took care of the next week as the harbour slowly filled with British, French, Canadian and Dutch ships which made for a crowded and 'entertaining' weekend on the Rock. On Monday morning the 12th of March the harbour quickly thinned out as the various navies put to sea and into 'Exercise Dawn Breeze'. This time it was BERMUDA's turn to be taken in tow by one of the Dutch ships before she returned to anchor in Blackstrap Bay at 1745. Tuesday saw the ship underway early to get Platoons landed by ship's boats. They were back onboard by tot time. Various action, defence and security exercises were played out through the week until the ships returned to Gibraltar PM on Friday for a weekend of rest and relaxation.
They all returned to sea on Monday for a further week of exercises this time with The Governor and CinC embarked for a couple of days before returning to harbour and 41 Berth at 0830 on Friday 23rd. Allied Admirals exchanged visits during the day. Most of Saturday was spent quietly before the ship sailed at 2110 so as to be ready to be hunted through the next week of air, surface and submarine attacks. Some were undertaken at high speed and others stealthily in complete darkness until the early hours of Friday came round again and the peace of Gibraltar's 41 berth was taken up just after 0900. It had been an intense three weeks of action and there was now time for a little ship's husbandry. This Saturday forenoon it was the turn of the Captain to carryout Messdeck Rounds and only after that did they get around to a run ashore and a few beers but even that, for some, was delayed whilst CinC Home Fleet held a Reception on BERMUDA's quarterdeck to close the exercise and March 1962. The ship had been at sea for 340 hours and steamed 4,393 miles in March 1962.
HMS BERMUDA at speed - Pic. Brian Taylor)
The new week and month started in earnest on Monday with ammunitioning ship as the international navies, including the French carrier CLEMENCEAU, put to sea. BERMUDA sailed at 1655 and soon came under air and submarine attacks that continued through Tuesday as the fleets, including our 5th & 7th Destroyer Squadrons, headed northwards towards their home bases. Thursday dawned with WNW winds up to 30 kts and heavy seas that, once more, damaged the ship's whaler on its davits. By 0800 on Friday 6th April HM Customs & Excise had 'invaded' BERMUDA at South Railway Jetty in Portsmouth to extract Duty on foreign purchases which reminded everyone that the 'bargains' were not quite as good as they seemed when they were obtained. As if to make up for the previous month the ship remained alongside for the rest of April.
April's logs recorded 1282 miles during 87 hours seatime.
Sweden's capital, Stockholm, came into view early PM on Wednesday the 23rd of May. BERMUDA settled there alongside M19 Berth for a week of Royal, Government, Military and Civil exchanges that included their King and our Princess Alexandra onboard on the Saturday. At 0845 on Wednesday 30th the ships eased their way out and after refuelling from WAVE PRINCE, BERMUDA hoisted her paying-off pennant and the destroyers 'Cheered Ship' before heading for Helsinki leaving BERMUDA to set course alone for Portsmouth.
As May ended she had been at sea for 125 hours and steamed 1,924 nm's
April's logs recorded 1282 miles during 87 hours seatime.
Sweden's capital, Stockholm, came into view early PM on Wednesday the 23rd of May. BERMUDA settled there alongside M19 Berth for a week of Royal, Government, Military and Civil exchanges that included their King and our Princess Alexandra onboard on the Saturday. At 0845 on Wednesday 30th the ships eased their way out and after refuelling from WAVE PRINCE, BERMUDA hoisted her paying-off pennant and the destroyers 'Cheered Ship' before heading for Helsinki leaving BERMUDA to set course alone for Portsmouth.
As May ended she had been at sea for 125 hours and steamed 1,924 nm's
Sweden's King Gustav VI inspects the Guard at Stockholm 1962 (Pic. Rob Guyatt)
The Nab Tower was raised soon after 1100 on Saturday June 2nd and by 1300 BERMUDA was firmly fastened to Pitch House Jetty in Portsmouth Dockyard. At the same time, out in the Pacific Ocean and on her way home from the Far East, HMS BELFAST was running towards a transit of the Panama Canal and a visit to Trinidad.
On BERMUDA's side on Monday morning there were ammunition lighters ready to de-ammunition ship so the sweat of the ship's company was toil induced while those in BELFAST blamed their climate! In the ensuing two weeks while BELFAST paced up the Atlantic BERMUDA underwent a visit from the Chief of Staff, the reading of Warrant No. 28 and de-storing. (Historical interest note: During the week ending Sunday 10 June 1962 BERMUDA acknowledged 31 passing warships which takes no account of those that came and went from the southern berths of the yard. One of those ships was HMS RAME HEAD (1945-) which de-commissioned in the 1970's but remained in 'service' in Portsmouth Harbour', latterly for Special Boat Service training, until 2008 before being broken-up in Belgium the following year.
Those in BERMUDA completed another day of de-storing on the 19th of June not even noticing BELFAST's arrival alongside South Railway Jetty during the First Dog Watch. In both ships the numbers were quickly reduced and on the 21st BELFAST was brought alongside BERMUDA before hoisting her own paying-off pennant on the 24th of June.
On the 29th BERMUDA's Log shows "Hands employed moving kit to BELFAST" and on the last day of June "Both Watches of Hands mustered on forecastle HMS BELFAST". Nearly but not quite the end!
BERMUDA's last month as a commissioned warship, June 1962, saw her at sea for just 37 hours during which her log had added just 581.4 nautical miles to the many hundreds of thousands she had steamed in her 20 years service.
Her final Log Book bears the initials of the Quartermaster & Officer of the Day plus weather observations alone until 0800 on Monday the 2nd of July 1962. The Captains Signature (Lumby) then finally closes the book forever on the same day with HMS BELFAST's date-stamp but with the ship's name struck through and HMS BERMUDA overstamped.
By the end of August even the small 'Retard Party' left to de-store and square-off' the ship were gone and her demise was complete.
On BERMUDA's side on Monday morning there were ammunition lighters ready to de-ammunition ship so the sweat of the ship's company was toil induced while those in BELFAST blamed their climate! In the ensuing two weeks while BELFAST paced up the Atlantic BERMUDA underwent a visit from the Chief of Staff, the reading of Warrant No. 28 and de-storing. (Historical interest note: During the week ending Sunday 10 June 1962 BERMUDA acknowledged 31 passing warships which takes no account of those that came and went from the southern berths of the yard. One of those ships was HMS RAME HEAD (1945-) which de-commissioned in the 1970's but remained in 'service' in Portsmouth Harbour', latterly for Special Boat Service training, until 2008 before being broken-up in Belgium the following year.
Those in BERMUDA completed another day of de-storing on the 19th of June not even noticing BELFAST's arrival alongside South Railway Jetty during the First Dog Watch. In both ships the numbers were quickly reduced and on the 21st BELFAST was brought alongside BERMUDA before hoisting her own paying-off pennant on the 24th of June.
On the 29th BERMUDA's Log shows "Hands employed moving kit to BELFAST" and on the last day of June "Both Watches of Hands mustered on forecastle HMS BELFAST". Nearly but not quite the end!
BERMUDA's last month as a commissioned warship, June 1962, saw her at sea for just 37 hours during which her log had added just 581.4 nautical miles to the many hundreds of thousands she had steamed in her 20 years service.
Her final Log Book bears the initials of the Quartermaster & Officer of the Day plus weather observations alone until 0800 on Monday the 2nd of July 1962. The Captains Signature (Lumby) then finally closes the book forever on the same day with HMS BELFAST's date-stamp but with the ship's name struck through and HMS BERMUDA overstamped.
By the end of August even the small 'Retard Party' left to de-store and square-off' the ship were gone and her demise was complete.
I have returned to this Lt. Teddie Drew picture, taken during wartime Russian Convoys, to take a last look at the ship, remember the men that never made it through to the peace and to recognise and thank those who did. It was they and their like who provided us with the standards and comforts we now so easily take for granted.
THE FINALE
THE FINALE
This 8,000 ton cruiser spent the next three years secured head and stern to buoys with white 'tell-tales' painted on her boot-topping so that passing inspection officers could see at a glance that she wasn't sinking. The once pristine paint on her faded and dirtied and then, in 1965, the tugs came and took her away!
Her last journey, to South Wales, was not long in time or distance but it was terminal. Masts first had to be removed at Briton Ferry's Iron Works Wharf (pictured) before the ship could get up the River Neath to Thomas Ward's shipbreaking yard. There, within days, they began to reverse the work the Clydeside builders had laboured over some 20 plus years earlier. Precious metals were diligently looked after and the stuff for razor blades piled high on the banks.
A sad end but one which comes to all ships - just as it does to those who make or use them - so much more than just metal. If you are of an emotional disposition look away now.............
Her last journey, to South Wales, was not long in time or distance but it was terminal. Masts first had to be removed at Briton Ferry's Iron Works Wharf (pictured) before the ship could get up the River Neath to Thomas Ward's shipbreaking yard. There, within days, they began to reverse the work the Clydeside builders had laboured over some 20 plus years earlier. Precious metals were diligently looked after and the stuff for razor blades piled high on the banks.
A sad end but one which comes to all ships - just as it does to those who make or use them - so much more than just metal. If you are of an emotional disposition look away now.............
What was Her Majesty's Ship BERMUDA begins its disappearing act. RIP! (Pic. Dave Johns)
The Ship's Bell from HMS BERMUDA hangs in the ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION CLUB IN WEST BROMWICH. (Pic. John Sedgley, Branch Secretary in 2009.
From the outbreak of the Second World War people in Britain were encouraged to deposit money for the war effort into Government National Savings Accounts and Bonds and 'Warship Week' was just one way of drawing local support. Ships and their equipments were even given a notional value (eg. Motor Torpedo Boat £70,000;Torpedo £2000; Life-float £25). Villages, towns and cities held all sorts of events from Carnivals to Whist Drives to bring in money and the Borough of West Bromwich held such an event and 'adopted' HMS BERMUDA. It forged a link that was reinforced by formal visits to the town by members of BERMUDA's ship's company and by townspeople to the ship during its lifetime. The bell, therefore, could not have a more appropriate second home.
HMS BELFAST re-commissioned with a short ceremony at 0900 on the 2nd of July 1962 under the command of Captain M G R Lumby with, in the main, BERMUDA's ship's company. The ship also took over the role of Flagship when FOFH (V. Adm. J G Hamilton joined her, fresh from HMS DUCHESS and 'Exercise Fairwind'. BELFAST sailed for Invergordon and her 'shake-down' on Monday the 9th of July 1962. One year later, in August 1963 she too de-commissioned into Reserve and became a Museum Ship in 1971.
HMS BELFAST at sea in the early 1950's and BELFAST Museum Ship approaching Portsmouth in 1999 for docking and bottom clean.
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This HMS BERMUDA 1962-1965 section first published online 2001 and since revised