4 NAVY NEWS, FEBRUARY 2010
Two of a kind
● Type 42 destroyers HMS York (left) and Gloucester rendezvous with tanker RFA Gold Rover in mid-Atlantic
YES, we know – the
Wallace, Commodore Portsmouth local cemetery, where there are a spot of maintenance. of a new Fleet Challenge? the beaches for the final time
headline says ‘two of a kind’
Flotilla (COMPORFLOT), who a number of British war graves, On the first night York’s rugby Christmas Day was spent before York sailed on Boxing Day.
and there are three ships in
embarked for the overnight many dating from World War 1. team had an outing to Ipanema alongside in Rio – a bonus, as the New Year’s Eve was spent at
passage to the Rock. York’s padre the Rev Beach for a rugby 7s tournament, ship had originally planned to sail sea, with a party and musical
the picture. Also embarking were Ralph Barber led a short where they missed out on top spot on Christmas Eve. talent show marking the end of the
No offence to Gold Rover, members of the Cape Verde act of remembrance during by a single try. A carol service in the morning Noughties.
the tanker in the middle (more
Islands Law Enforcement which a wreath was The footballers faced a tough was followed by Christmas dinner The destroyer finally reached
of her on page 5), but the two
Detachment (LEDET), laid by the destroyer’s fixture against the Brazilian Navy for the ship’s company which was the Falklands early in the New
in question are the destroyers
who were undergoing Commanding Officer, 1st XI, but they sweated through served, as is traditional, by the Year, ready to pick up Gloucester’s
flanking the auxiliary.
training alongside the Cdr Simon Staley. the heat to record a 3-1 victory, officers. baton in a series of patrols and
ship’s boarding team. Rev Barber said: “It with ET(WE) Bowe volleying
One was preparing to head
Many sailors then headed for exercises around the islands.
The Cape Verdeans always strikes me that home the goal of the game.
north – HMS Gloucester was the
conducted small arms no matter where you A group of sailors visited Casa
last deployed ship to return to
firings, and boarding go in the world there Jimmy’s, a Rio orphanage founded
Portsmouth before the Christmas
operations from both are always British war by Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy
break (see below right).
boat and helicopter. graves. Page in 1998.
But for HMS York it marked
Gibraltar was more of a “It is important to pay our Money had been raised by
the start of business on her South
pit stop than a visit – an overnight respects, especially as often their Operations Officer Lt Cdr John
Atlantic deployment, which will
stay to top up the fuel tanks, families would not have been able Cromie and Logistics Officer
see her through to late spring.
though the ship’s company did not to visit the graves themselves.” Lt Cdr David Robinson for building
Last year was a busy one for
miss the opportunity to tackle the On leaving São Vicente, York materials, Christmas decorations
the ‘Fastest 42’, which saw her
Rock Race. met up with RFA Gold Rover, and presents for the children.
emerge from refit and conduct a
First to the top was LET(ME) the Atlantic Patrol Task (South) The building was given some
series of trials before undertaking
Soapy Watson in a time of 23m tanker, and sister ship HMS serious DIY, and a team from
a number of high-profile visits and
33s, just holding off the challenge Gloucester. York’s marine engineering
a major maritime exercise.
of Lt Cdr Ben Stait, who finished York was relieving Gloucester department, led by CPO ‘Jack’
There was then the usual round
a second later. on the South Atlantic beat, so the Blair, even managed to get the
of sea training sessions before
In warmer weather and calmer rendezvous provided a valuable children’s bikes working again.
York left Portsmouth on a dismal
seas, York made for the Cape Verde set of face-to-face meetings when The visit ended with a special
wet and windy day at the end of
Islands and a two-day stopover, useful information was passed on. Christmas party held on board
November.
bidding farewell to the LEDET Both destroyers took on fuel, York.
The passage to Gibraltar saw a
team. then went their separate ways, On Christmas Eve a group of
fair bit of toing and froing.
While in the city port of with Gold Rover accompanying cyclists and runners joined the Rio
Staff Marine Engineer Officer
Mindelo on the island of São York across the equator. Rock challenge – an 8.25-mile run
(SMEO) to Portsmouth Flotilla,
Vicente a side party put the upper There was also a hands to bathe, with a climb of 700 metres from
Cdr John O’Flaherty, was
deck in tip-top shape, while York’s when many sailors made the most Flamingo Beach to the Christ
embarked to conduct Lt Jenna
clubswinger sent out the ship’s of the chance to swim in 4,000 Redeemer statue.
Kelway’s (Deputy Marine Engineer
cricket and football teams; both metres of warm Atlantic. To put it into perspective, the
Officer) Charge Qualification.
recorded victories. York and Gold Rover spent run is three times the length of the
Cdr O’Flaherty left the
Several of the ship’s company Christmas in Rio de Janeiro, with Gibraltar Rock Race and the climb
destroyer off Lisbon and taking his
paid their respects at the the tanker undergoing is twice the height – the beginning
place was Cdre Rupert
● PO(WE) Lee Gofford, of HMS Gloucester, is greeted by his sons
Aaron (6), Ethan (4) and Ian (10)
Picture: LA(Phot) Chris Mumby
Back in time
for the holiday
HMS GLOUCESTER slipped underprivileged children in
back into Portsmouth slums and tidying up
just before Christmas to British war graves.
ring down the curtain on Commanding Officer
a six-month deployment Cdr Iain Lower, who
to the South Atlantic. handed over the reins
The Fighting G of Gloucester last
had headed south month, said: “This has
in support of the been a very successful
Commander British deployment.
Forces South Atlantic “Our achievements
Islands, acting as the reflect the effort put in
lead ship of a flotilla by the ship’s company
that included tanker in preparing for this
RFA Gold Rover and local deployment.
guardship HMS Clyde. “HMS Gloucester’s mission
But there was plenty more to in the South Atlantic was to
keep her occupied. defend the British South Atlantic
She carried out maritime Territories, deter aggression and
security operations, including ultimately defeat any opposing
the search for drug smugglers off force if required.
West Africa following the signing “We have also assisted in
onboard of a new agreement supporting the Government’s
between the UK and Cape Verde. wider diplomatic efforts in Cape
There were exercises with British Verde, Brazil and Chile. It was
Army and RAF units based in the a mission that we achieved in
Falklands, and visits included the style.”
stark beauty of South Georgia and During her deployment
a trip round Cape Horn to pass Gloucester steamed more than
through the Patagonian Canals. 20,000 nautical miles, sailed in
Picture: PO(Phot) Nicola Harper
Port visits presented the three out of five oceans (Atlantic,
opportunity for charity work, Pacific and Southern) and visited
including maintenance for Europe, Africa, South America
● HMS York leaves Portsmouth for the South Atlantic (left), replacing HMS Gloucester, which returned home just before Christmas
local schools, working with and Antarctica.
004-005_NN_feb.indd 1 20/1/10 16:27:07
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