34 NAVY NEWS, JUNE 2009
New jetty
Top man
takes look
at training
delivered
THE new Commander Maritime
Reserves has paid his first official
visit to HMS Raleigh.
Cdre Chris Steele was less
than four weeks into his new
appointment when he toured the
Torpoint training establishment
and met staff and trainees.
Later he took the salute at
to Faslane
the weekly passing-out parade,
which included a platoon of 12
reservists who were celebrating
the successful completion of their
two-week new entry course.
Cdre Steele presented prizes
in recognition of exceptional
performances during training,
CLYDE Naval Base has taken float up and down with the tide, and amongst the winners was AB
delivery of a new leviathan
secured to the bottom of the loch
John Cuerden (40), from HMS
after ten years of waiting.
by four giant piles, each one as big
Calliope in Gateshead, who joined
The £150m Valiant floating
as Nelson’s Column.
the RNR in January 2008 and
jetty, built 12 miles away at
These will be hammered into
took the Captain’s Prize as top
Inchgreen Dry Dock in Greenock,
place using a 117-tonne device
RNR student.
was towed along the river by five
on one of the biggest cranes in John, a fire-fighter in County
tugs in a six-hour operation.
the world, Taklift 7, a floating Durham, said: “I joined the RNR
The 200-metre jetty, which is 28
shearlegs heavy lift barge. for a fresh challenge and the
metres wide, ten metres deep and
The project was overseen by chance to travel.
weighs in at 44,000 tonnes, will
AMEC, and the project team “It’s been an enjoyable two weeks
serve the Royal Navy’s submarines
included Defence Estates, Jacobs, – challenging, but also rewarding.
at Faslane for the next 50 years.
DE&S, the Royal Navy and “I’ve made some good friends
Named after the first all-British
Babcock. and learned new skills.”
built nuclear-powered attack
submarine, Valiant Jetty was
designed specifically to serve the
new Astute-class submarines.
It is expected to be in place and
fully-operational by the time the
second of class, HMS Ambush,
arrives at her home port.
Negotiating the Rhu Narrows
into the Gareloch required careful
co-ordination, as well as the
temporary closure of the port to
● Valiant Jetty is eased round Rhu Narrows and into Gareloch on her way to Clyde Naval Base
provide a safe route for the tow.
Picture: LA(Phot) Stuart ‘Pusser’ Hill (FRPU North)
Once in place, the jetty will
Navy makes its mark at Tattoo
ROYAL Navy personnel had
prominent roles to play in this
● Some of the new Armed Forces action fi gures produced by
year’s Windsor Castle Royal
Character Options, including an RN diver (centre)
Tattoo.
Clubswingers were there to, er,
swing their clubs, and the Royal
Marines Band took its place
alongside other military groups
Forces set to take
including the Massed Pipes and
Drums of the Royal Scots Dragoon
Guards; the Scots Guards, the
Royal Scots Borders; Royal toy shops by storm
Highland Fusiliers, the Argyll and
Sutherland Highlanders and the WHEN was the last time you had profile of the forces across society.
Highlanders. so much fun with ten inches of “It is not a conscious ‘buy this
Royal Marines also showed their plastic? and join the armed forces,’ but
tougher side with demonstrations Filling the void left by Action it is educating people in what
of their combat skills. Man – he became inaction man we do,” said Cdr Steve Pearson,
But perhaps the most eagerly- a couple of years ago when guardian of mascot Salty the
anticipated Senior Service manufacturers pulled the plug Bear during his time as captain of
contribution to the tattoo in Home after four decades – is a series of HMS Newcastle, now on the RN’s
Park, the grounds of Windsor toys modelled on real action men. publicity team in Whitehall (the
Castle, was the tribute to the RN
● (Above) Field gunners from
HMS Nelson at full pelt with their
Nine 10in action figures, based officer, not the bear…).
Field Gun competition.
gun and limber, and talking of
on real-life personnel in the three Psychologist Dr Amanda
Two teams from HMS Nelson
limber, a clubswinger in action
Services and endorsed by the Gummer, a specialist in play and
battled it out under adapted
(right) to the sound of the Royal
MOD, are now on sale. parenting, said playing with such
Brickwoods rules using guns and
Marines Band
The Senior Service is toys and figures was an important
limbers that weigh more than one
Pictures: Cpl Ian Forsyth RLC
represented by two Royal Marines part of growing up and that toys
tonne.
(one in a canoe) and a clearance based on Britain’s Servicemen
The two crews received their competition was first introduced
diver in full kit, but if you really and women taught youngsters
guns six weeks before the show, into the Royal Tournament in
must have a non-naval figure, then important values: –“standing up
and put in some serious training 1907, and the torch was passed on
there’s infantrymen from the Army for what you believe in, helping
in preparation for the tattoo runs, to the Brickwoods teams when the
and a fast jet pilot and search and those less strong than you.”
each of which lasts barely a minute Tournament was ended in 1999.
rescue aircrewman from the RAF, She continued: “By playing
and a half. The tattoo, which is in its
among others. with realistic toys, it replaces the
A re-enactment of Naval artillery second year, is a not-for-profit
Manufacturer Character shallow, materialistic showbiz role
exploits during the Boer War, event which supports the Royal
Options has also produced models with ones based on real
the inter-command Field Gun British Legion.
various vehicles – RM quad bike, people doing a valuable job.
Challenger 2 tank, for example – “No-one is advocating that
for the toys and various accessories children are given replica guns to
for children, including night vision start shooting at the people they
goggles. don’t like.”
There’s no bad guy yet, but a The figures range from £14.99
generic enemy is in the offing. to £24.99; accessories cost
Whitehall signed the deal with between £4.99 and £99.99.
the toymaker it says to raise the Comment – page 28marina
Projecting Naval power
‘THE Royal Navy and Power Stanhope, soon to take over as
Projection’ is the subject of the First Sea Lord.
second Nelson Legacy Conference, Naval historian Professor Eric
to be held on Saturday September Grove of Salford University will
26. also contribute.
The conference series, organised The conference will be held at
jointly by the Royal Naval HMS Excellent on Whale Island
Museum, the Society for Nautical in Portsmouth, the home of Naval
Research, the Nelson Society and gunnery – and the day will include
the 1805 Club, aims to take Naval a demonstration field gun run and
history forward from Trafalgar. tour of the establishment, ending
So the spotlight falls on the with dinner in the wardroom.
Navy’s role in delivering force on Details at www.nelsonlegacy
land, and a high-calibre panel of conferences.org.uk, or contact
speakers is led by the Commander- Peter Green, 023 9266 1175, email
in-Chief Fleet Admiral Sir Mark historian@twogreens.co.uk
● Royal Marines commandos go through their paces in the gloom of
the Windsor Tattoo arena
Time of your Lives will be back next monthmarina
034_NN_jun.indd 1 21/5/09 11:14:06
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