HMS Ark Royal

The Last Commission

1976 to 1978

 

    

Fleet Steam Past

29June 1977

 

 

When we weighed anchor on the 29th, the cable party discovered that there was an overhand knot in the cable, but they soon sorted this out. The ship headed for the southern side of the Isle of Wight where HMS ARK ROYAL led the steam past of 61 British warships. The Fleet were acknowledging the retirement as Chief of the Defence Staff, of Admiral Fleet Sir Edward Ashmore GCB DSC who was embarked in HMS BIRMINGHAM.

   
The line of ships stretched as far as the eye could see.
   
 
   
From C-in-C Fleet

"ARK ROYAL has been a worthy successor in the long and proud line of Fleet Flag Ships of Royal Reviews at Spithead. I am particularly aware of the immense effort put in by everyone at all levels to get the ship up to a standard which I have not seen surpassed and which you achieved so soon after the refit. Very well done and best wishes for the commission ahead.”

All the formalities and ceremonial duties were now completed and the ship could once more assume the roll of aircraft carrier undergoing post refit trials"

 
   

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