HMS Ark Royal
|
|
|
The Last Commission |
|
|
| 1976 to 1978 | ||
|
|
||
|
The Silver Jubilee Fleet review 28June 1977 |
||
|
|
|
|
At last the big day arrived, and the customary poor weather which seems to plague the Queen on big occasions was also present. However we were informed that the afternoon wouldn’t be spoilt by rain, but that it would be cold and windy – how right they were according to those who stood on the flight deck |
|
|
Our families and official guests began arriving during the early afternoon, and HMY BRITANNIA sailed from Portsmouth. As she passed the Spit Refuge Buoy at 1119 the Fleet fired a 21 Gun Salute, and the Royal Yacht took up her position at the head of the Review Lines. At 1430 the Royal Yacht entered the Review Lines preceded y the Trinity House vessel PATRICIA. Astern of BRITANNIA came HMS BIRMINGHAM with members of the Admiralty Board and their guests, followed by the RFA’s ENGADINE, SIR GERAINT, SIR TRISTAM and LYNESS with the press and official guests embarked. A
|
 |
|
As the Royal Yacht approached ARK ROYAL’s port quarter the Alert was sounded and the ships company smartly came to attention. The guard and band did their bit whilst the remainder of us on flight and weather decks gave the traditional “Hip, Hip, Hip, Hooray” three times to her Majesty the Queen as HMY BRITANNIA was abreast of ARK ROYAL. That was it, for about 2 hours, and the next time we saw BRITANNIA at close hand was when she passed to starboard on completion of the Reviewing of Fleet, on her way to her position at the head of the Review Lines.
|
|
|
Once BRITANNIA had anchored we awaited the Fly Past by helicopters of the Fleet Air Arm led by a former Captain of ARK ROYAL, but on this occasion as Flag Officer Naval Air Command, Rear Admiral John Roberts. Unfortunately the expected flypast of 150 fixed and rotary wing machines was curtailed because of the weather conditions and we saw about 90 helicopters. On completion of the flypast, over 200 ratings of all ranks and ages from the Royal Navy Commonwealth Navies who had assembled in ARK ROYAL during the day were taken to the Royal Yacht to attend a reception given by the Queen.
The Queen, Prince Philip and other members of the Royal Family mingled informally with the ratings.
|
|
 |
To complete the day, the Queen was the guest of honour at a Banquet held in the Upper Hangar of ARK ROYAL given by Flag and Commanding Officers. Also present were HRH Prince Philip, HRH Prince Charles and Admiral of the Fleet Lord Louis Mountbatten. The hangar had been transformed for the event by means of red and white bunting and polished decks – it really looked fit for a Queen. So ended the historic day and the contents of the signal that we had all been hoping for were soon known throughout the ship – “Splice the Mainbrace”.
|
|
|
|
 Behind the scenes: stewards |
 Behind the scenes: temporary galley |
|
From The Lord High Admiral, Her Majesty the Queen, to C-in-C Fleet “It gave me great pleasure to review all these ships assembled at Spithead today for my Silver Jubilee Review and to receive the salute of the Fleet Air Arm. I was deeply impressed by the splendid sight of all the vessels in their companies and the precision of the flypast were in the finest traditions of the sea. “I send my congratulations to all who planned and took part in the Review. “The Duke of Edinburgh joins me in sending our best wishes to you all as you disperse.”
|
|
|
From MODUK NAVY, to all RN and Commonwealth Ships at Spithead Her Majesty the Queen has requested the Admiralty Board to promulgate the following message “To the Royal Navy and to the Flag and Senior Officers of the Commonwealth ships at Spithead:- In celebration of my Silver Jubilee and with the Royal Navy and Commonwealth ships assembled at Spithead Splice the Mainbrace – Elizabeth R.”
|
|
v1
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
Improve this site: Email in your photos & memories for inclusion |
|
Where are you now? Email us and let everyone know |
|
|
||
