HMS JAGUAR 1964
Life on the South Atlantic/South America Station continues apace with the customary visits and long sea passages including the return to UK.
Life on the South Atlantic/South America Station continues apace with the customary visits and long sea passages including the return to UK.
JANUARY
On Wednesday the 1st of January ‘Leave to Starboard Watch and 1st Part of Port Watch from 1030 to 0815 …. Ship Under Sailing Orders’ set the scene as last minute preparations were undertaken onboard and celebrations continued ashore.
At 0915 on Thursday seatime began again and by mid afternoon the ship was rounding Cape Agulhus on her way in the midsummer sun to East London. They arrived at 0830 on Saturday where the Mayor was welcomed on board and in the afternoon so too were the public who, if they wanted to could come again on Sunday.
Leaving mid-afternoon on Monday the 6th they retraced their steps 320nm to anchor in Mossel Bay at 0900 on Tuesday where the local Mayor was welcomed. Leaving Mossel Bay at 1100 on Thursday passage back to Simonstown was completed by 1000 on Friday the 10th. The ship was dry-docked from the 20th to 27th.
On Tuesday the 28th they ventured out to No 7 Buoy at 1000 to swing the compass and calibrate radars but that was not all. With those tasks completed a course of 246° and speed of 15 knots was set soon after 1400 and maintained until 1600 the next day when the course was altered to 251° . Maintaining around 15kts; and courses around to 261° , as the last day of January drew to a close the hitherto fair weather was quickly deteriorating. The distance run since leaving Simonstown was 1050nm in 82 hours at sea bringing totals for the month to 2395nm /171hrs.
On Wednesday the 1st of January ‘Leave to Starboard Watch and 1st Part of Port Watch from 1030 to 0815 …. Ship Under Sailing Orders’ set the scene as last minute preparations were undertaken onboard and celebrations continued ashore.
At 0915 on Thursday seatime began again and by mid afternoon the ship was rounding Cape Agulhus on her way in the midsummer sun to East London. They arrived at 0830 on Saturday where the Mayor was welcomed on board and in the afternoon so too were the public who, if they wanted to could come again on Sunday.
Leaving mid-afternoon on Monday the 6th they retraced their steps 320nm to anchor in Mossel Bay at 0900 on Tuesday where the local Mayor was welcomed. Leaving Mossel Bay at 1100 on Thursday passage back to Simonstown was completed by 1000 on Friday the 10th. The ship was dry-docked from the 20th to 27th.
On Tuesday the 28th they ventured out to No 7 Buoy at 1000 to swing the compass and calibrate radars but that was not all. With those tasks completed a course of 246° and speed of 15 knots was set soon after 1400 and maintained until 1600 the next day when the course was altered to 251° . Maintaining around 15kts; and courses around to 261° , as the last day of January drew to a close the hitherto fair weather was quickly deteriorating. The distance run since leaving Simonstown was 1050nm in 82 hours at sea bringing totals for the month to 2395nm /171hrs.
FEBRUARY
On Saturday the 1st those on deck watched Gough Island appear and disappear again as JAGUAR continued westwards aware of the falling barometer and rising wind and sea to make the night a little uncomfortable. On Sunday, Monday and Tuesday various Action and Emergency Stations were exercised. Late on Tuesday into Wednesday the wind from the NW was reaching 40 knots and the waves between 15 and 20 feet (4.5-6.1M) and, with a lull in the middle of the day on Thursday, the weather remained bad into Friday.
HMS PROTECTOR (Antarctic Patrol Vessel) was met around 0900 on Friday and twenty-four hours later, in much calmer weather the 200 or so souls in JAGUAR were pleased to see the end of their South Atlantic crossing and the friendly faces and welcome of the Falkland Islanders.
Upon arrival at Port Stanley they had added a further 2510nm/176 hours at sea to the 1050nm/82hrs since leaving Simonstown on the 28th of January. Between clearing the Cape and meeting PROTECTOR they had seen just one ship - a Norwegian mechant ship on the 4th.
Fuel was embarked during Saturday and on Sunday a anchor and radar watch was necessary in Force 6 winds. Leave was granted on Saturday ( 1230-0015) and Sunday (1030-2245).
On Saturday the 1st those on deck watched Gough Island appear and disappear again as JAGUAR continued westwards aware of the falling barometer and rising wind and sea to make the night a little uncomfortable. On Sunday, Monday and Tuesday various Action and Emergency Stations were exercised. Late on Tuesday into Wednesday the wind from the NW was reaching 40 knots and the waves between 15 and 20 feet (4.5-6.1M) and, with a lull in the middle of the day on Thursday, the weather remained bad into Friday.
HMS PROTECTOR (Antarctic Patrol Vessel) was met around 0900 on Friday and twenty-four hours later, in much calmer weather the 200 or so souls in JAGUAR were pleased to see the end of their South Atlantic crossing and the friendly faces and welcome of the Falkland Islanders.
Upon arrival at Port Stanley they had added a further 2510nm/176 hours at sea to the 1050nm/82hrs since leaving Simonstown on the 28th of January. Between clearing the Cape and meeting PROTECTOR they had seen just one ship - a Norwegian mechant ship on the 4th.
Fuel was embarked during Saturday and on Sunday a anchor and radar watch was necessary in Force 6 winds. Leave was granted on Saturday ( 1230-0015) and Sunday (1030-2245).
By 1000 on Monday the 10th of February the ship was underway again. The first half of Tuesday brought Northerly gales that eased in the afternoon. A stop and a lee (Wind W 12kts) was made from 0900 to 1015 to ‘wash the ship’s side’.
Arriving at Punta del Este, Uruguay at 0845 on Thursday HM Consul and Attaché came aboard. In ‘Light Airs’ the ship opened to visitors in the afternoon on Friday but from 2000 there came a Southerly Gale that reached Force10 at times. Having withstood the increasing roll until 0300 on Saturday Cdr Rowbotham decided to take the ship to sea to see out the storm returning to harbour just before 0900. (c. 50nm).
Weighing anchor at 1100 on Sunday to cross the River Plate a stop was made for an hour in the afternoon to clean and tidy the upper deck but all the good work was undone by another Gale and electric storm during the night.
Arriving at Punta del Este, Uruguay at 0845 on Thursday HM Consul and Attaché came aboard. In ‘Light Airs’ the ship opened to visitors in the afternoon on Friday but from 2000 there came a Southerly Gale that reached Force10 at times. Having withstood the increasing roll until 0300 on Saturday Cdr Rowbotham decided to take the ship to sea to see out the storm returning to harbour just before 0900. (c. 50nm).
Weighing anchor at 1100 on Sunday to cross the River Plate a stop was made for an hour in the afternoon to clean and tidy the upper deck but all the good work was undone by another Gale and electric storm during the night.
Securing at Mar del Plata, Argentina at 0800 on Monday the 17th brought the usual civil and military courtesies and, on Tuesday, the public came to tour the ship. The ‘British Community’ were welcomed onboard during the calm, sunny and warm Wednesday morning and opening to visitors again on Thursday 4,524 people came aboard hosted by the 2nd Part of Port Watch. The majority of the rest were enjoying a run ashore!
Passage towards the Equator was welcomed as JAGUAR spent four days at sea on her way to the all time highlight that is Rio de Janeiro. The sights and pleasures of Rio which, in terms of ‘sea time’, had been well earned were enjoyed from 0830 on Tuesday the 25th through to 1100 on Saturday the 29th.
In 'whites' the ship’s company were on deck when the ship ceremoniously sailed at 1100 on the last day of this Leap year month. Journeying this month totalled 5236nm/369hrs.
Passage towards the Equator was welcomed as JAGUAR spent four days at sea on her way to the all time highlight that is Rio de Janeiro. The sights and pleasures of Rio which, in terms of ‘sea time’, had been well earned were enjoyed from 0830 on Tuesday the 25th through to 1100 on Saturday the 29th.
In 'whites' the ship’s company were on deck when the ship ceremoniously sailed at 1100 on the last day of this Leap year month. Journeying this month totalled 5236nm/369hrs.
MARCH
Sunday March the 1st dawned with the ship pointed towards Tristan Da Cunha and five dawns later at 0825 on Friday the 8th the anchor was dropped off the Island.
Sunday March the 1st dawned with the ship pointed towards Tristan Da Cunha and five dawns later at 0825 on Friday the 8th the anchor was dropped off the Island.
Underway again at 1120 Captain Scott came from MV TRISTANIA to oversee JAGUAR’s bombardment exercise. On completion JAGUAR set course for Simonstown at 1530 arriving there at 1415 on Tuesday the 10th. Log 3452nm 240hrs
The remainder of March was spent alongside in the dockyard.
Between leaving Simonstown on the 28th of January and arriving back there on the 10th of March they had steamed 9729nm during 691 hours at sea. That South Atlantic is a big place!
APRIL
Sailing on the afternoon of Wednesday the 1st passage was made to arrive at Port Elizabeth on the 3rd for a five day stay. Leaving there on Thursday the 9th a shoot was carried out on the way back to Simonstown.
Harbour routine prevailed through the next fortnight during which Battle Platoons, Support Group and Demolition Party landed for the day on the 23rd. An 0900 departure, with SA Navy ships on Friday the 24th took them to Suldanha Bay. Divisions were inspected by F7 on Sunday and on Monday at 1230 the fleet was sent to sea in response to a ’SMASHEX’ (exercise submarine accident) signal from the Senior Officer Captain Loyd SAN. The submarine AENAES later became the target in anti-submarine exercises through to Thursday the 30th when the ships arrived back at Simonstown. Log: 1816nm in 165hrs at sea.
Sailing on the afternoon of Wednesday the 1st passage was made to arrive at Port Elizabeth on the 3rd for a five day stay. Leaving there on Thursday the 9th a shoot was carried out on the way back to Simonstown.
Harbour routine prevailed through the next fortnight during which Battle Platoons, Support Group and Demolition Party landed for the day on the 23rd. An 0900 departure, with SA Navy ships on Friday the 24th took them to Suldanha Bay. Divisions were inspected by F7 on Sunday and on Monday at 1230 the fleet was sent to sea in response to a ’SMASHEX’ (exercise submarine accident) signal from the Senior Officer Captain Loyd SAN. The submarine AENAES later became the target in anti-submarine exercises through to Thursday the 30th when the ships arrived back at Simonstown. Log: 1816nm in 165hrs at sea.
MAY
Another ‘CAPEX’ took the ships to sea before 0900 on Monday the 4th and kept them exercising some 20nm south of the Cape until anchoring in Gordon’s Bay at 1630 on Wednesday. The submarine was the first to go to sea on Thursday morning as the ships went to Action Stations to follow her out. Soon they were all shut down in ‘ABCD’ (Nuclear fallout) conditions before continuing Action Messing at dinner. The afternoon’s exercises included, secondary engine and steering control, damage control and fire before anchoring in Gordon’s Bay around 1630. JAGUAR left at 0615 to go round to Simonstown to pick up the Pilotless Target Aircraft Team then returned to sea and the fleet to continue CAPEX before they all entered Simonstown for the weekend.
Away to sea again on Monday the 11th the fleet exercises resumed lightened only briefly with a Shackleton mail drop on Wednesday. Beginning now to feel a little weary, they spent the weekend alongside once more.
Another ‘CAPEX’ took the ships to sea before 0900 on Monday the 4th and kept them exercising some 20nm south of the Cape until anchoring in Gordon’s Bay at 1630 on Wednesday. The submarine was the first to go to sea on Thursday morning as the ships went to Action Stations to follow her out. Soon they were all shut down in ‘ABCD’ (Nuclear fallout) conditions before continuing Action Messing at dinner. The afternoon’s exercises included, secondary engine and steering control, damage control and fire before anchoring in Gordon’s Bay around 1630. JAGUAR left at 0615 to go round to Simonstown to pick up the Pilotless Target Aircraft Team then returned to sea and the fleet to continue CAPEX before they all entered Simonstown for the weekend.
Away to sea again on Monday the 11th the fleet exercises resumed lightened only briefly with a Shackleton mail drop on Wednesday. Beginning now to feel a little weary, they spent the weekend alongside once more.
The CAPEX fleet were on their way to sea before 0800 on Monday the 18th, starting the week by fending off air attacks so there was a lot of high speeds and course alterations throwing anything loose below decks careering around and inevitably making a mess! The battles and protective screening plus taking fuel from RFA WAVE CHIEF whilst fearing ‘attack’ kept everyone involved on their mettle until Simonstown Dockyard came into view again around midday on Friday the 22nd. Gratefully they were to remain alongside through the end of the month. Log: 3227nm during 271 sea hours.
JUNE
At 0855 on Monday the 1st the Ship’s Company were piped to Divisions and 20 minutes later Vice Admiral A A Fitzroy-Talbot was ceremonially welcomed onboard on his annual inspection of the ship. Afterwards lower deck was cleared to hear what he thought of them before he departed, hopefully well pleased, at 1215.
Until the 17th the ship remained in harbour firing gun salutes as well as ‘Dressing Ship’ for a royal anniversary and birthday. A new Draft arrived on the 10th allowing others to leave for the UK.
Sailing at 0915 on Wednesday the 17th twenty-six hours were spent at sea during which full power and gun function trials took place before returning to Simonstown.
Harbour Routine next ended on Monday the 29th when JAGUAR sailed at 0930 for Durban.
Log 870nm / 68hrs.
At 0855 on Monday the 1st the Ship’s Company were piped to Divisions and 20 minutes later Vice Admiral A A Fitzroy-Talbot was ceremonially welcomed onboard on his annual inspection of the ship. Afterwards lower deck was cleared to hear what he thought of them before he departed, hopefully well pleased, at 1215.
Until the 17th the ship remained in harbour firing gun salutes as well as ‘Dressing Ship’ for a royal anniversary and birthday. A new Draft arrived on the 10th allowing others to leave for the UK.
Sailing at 0915 on Wednesday the 17th twenty-six hours were spent at sea during which full power and gun function trials took place before returning to Simonstown.
Harbour Routine next ended on Monday the 29th when JAGUAR sailed at 0930 for Durban.
Log 870nm / 68hrs.
JULY
This second visit to Durban reunited friends and acquaintances for five days before JAGUAR sailed on the 6th.
The ship had earlier been programmed to make a formal visit to Capetown from the 8th to 12th of July prior to leaving the SASA Station to return to the UK, via the Atlantic and a fuel stop at Freetown. That routeing was however changed to Aden/Suez/Malta area/Gibraltar/UK around the beginning of the month. In hindsight the route change could have been associated with the situations prevailing in Aden and/or Southern Rhodesia.
Coincidently (or otherwise) the Ship’s Logs for July, August and September 1964 have not been retained/located nor have I been able to gain any specific details to substantiate whether or not JAGUAR returned south from Durban to fulfill the Capetown visit or, instead, went north to begin the passage home.
Based upon the ship's speed and the fact that she made Chatham on the forecast date I have made the following assumptions (Italics) but would be pleased to have any clarification you may offer.
Assuming JAGUAR did fulfil the Capetown visit and set out from there (or Simonstown) on the 12th I have estimated a distance of 4000 nautical miles to the forecast arrival Aden on the 21st. The ADENDeparting the next day for the forecast arrival at Gibraltar on the 31st of July. (est.) 3300nm. (The ADEN route home probably came about because of continuing anti-British activity there)
This second visit to Durban reunited friends and acquaintances for five days before JAGUAR sailed on the 6th.
The ship had earlier been programmed to make a formal visit to Capetown from the 8th to 12th of July prior to leaving the SASA Station to return to the UK, via the Atlantic and a fuel stop at Freetown. That routeing was however changed to Aden/Suez/Malta area/Gibraltar/UK around the beginning of the month. In hindsight the route change could have been associated with the situations prevailing in Aden and/or Southern Rhodesia.
Coincidently (or otherwise) the Ship’s Logs for July, August and September 1964 have not been retained/located nor have I been able to gain any specific details to substantiate whether or not JAGUAR returned south from Durban to fulfill the Capetown visit or, instead, went north to begin the passage home.
Based upon the ship's speed and the fact that she made Chatham on the forecast date I have made the following assumptions (Italics) but would be pleased to have any clarification you may offer.
Assuming JAGUAR did fulfil the Capetown visit and set out from there (or Simonstown) on the 12th I have estimated a distance of 4000 nautical miles to the forecast arrival Aden on the 21st. The ADENDeparting the next day for the forecast arrival at Gibraltar on the 31st of July. (est.) 3300nm. (The ADEN route home probably came about because of continuing anti-British activity there)
AUGUST
Her forecast sailing from Gibraltar was the 1st of August to stop at Portsmouth 4th to 6th before continuing passage home to Chatham.
JAGUAR did enter Chatham Dockyard at 1315 on the 7th of August as predicted. Log (est.) 1200nm.*
Her forecast sailing from Gibraltar was the 1st of August to stop at Portsmouth 4th to 6th before continuing passage home to Chatham.
JAGUAR did enter Chatham Dockyard at 1315 on the 7th of August as predicted. Log (est.) 1200nm.*
SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER
The ship’s company was soon reduced, by drafting and re-appointments, to a ‘Refit’ one housed in Barracks for the remainder of the year.
Flag Officer Medway (Adm Hogg) made an inspection visit in October as did the Dockyard General Manager (Mr Tucker)
The new Type 965 Radar with its AKE ‘bedspread’ aerial had, I believe, significantly altered the ship’s profile and aircraft detection ability by November, but cannot yet confirm dates.
On December the 8th the Captain with two officers and five ratings made a welcome visit to High Wycombe Sea Cadet HQ (JAGUAR) and on the 12th Captain P H C Illingworth (HMS PRESIDENT, Officer Structure Survey Team) paid the ship a visit.
The refit was completed with stability adjustments by Christmas Eve and as 1964 ended preparations for sea and re-commissioning were being made.
The ship’s company was soon reduced, by drafting and re-appointments, to a ‘Refit’ one housed in Barracks for the remainder of the year.
Flag Officer Medway (Adm Hogg) made an inspection visit in October as did the Dockyard General Manager (Mr Tucker)
The new Type 965 Radar with its AKE ‘bedspread’ aerial had, I believe, significantly altered the ship’s profile and aircraft detection ability by November, but cannot yet confirm dates.
On December the 8th the Captain with two officers and five ratings made a welcome visit to High Wycombe Sea Cadet HQ (JAGUAR) and on the 12th Captain P H C Illingworth (HMS PRESIDENT, Officer Structure Survey Team) paid the ship a visit.
The refit was completed with stability adjustments by Christmas Eve and as 1964 ended preparations for sea and re-commissioning were being made.
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This HMS JAGUAR 1964 section first published online February 2016.
