The Last Commission

Mini CAG and Summer Leave

30 June to 31 August 1977

On completion of the steam past and C in C Fleet’s dis-embarkation, the ship went into a pre-wetting trial as we continued to sail westward towards Plymouth. The morning of the 30^th June saw Ark once more in Cawsand Bay where the Flight Deck Trials Team was embarked. Once all the civilian personnel were on board we were off again into the English Channel to embark the mini Carrier Airborne Group (CAG) of three Phantoms, three Buccaneers and three Gannets.

There was real excitement as the aircraft arrived and all goofing positions were manned. First, the deck landing practices (DLP’s) took place in order to get a feel for the deck, followed by the actual hook on, and all aircraft were recovered safely during the day.

Once on board they were moved about the flight deck and the hangars followed by cold and then hot loading trials at the launch positions. The Badgers tested the jet blast deflectors, the catapults, the arrester gear and other flight deck equipment. Everyone gained valuable experience and all was ready for the first launches and subsequent recoveries on Sunday 3^rd July. For the next few days the flying trials went extremely smoothly with everyone doing their best.

On the 30^th June four BBC Radio and Record Department representatives came to see how we function. Those from the record company, BBC Enterprises, presented the ship with a commemorative disc of the record “Sailing/Wombling Song”, while Radio 2 representatives gave us a selection of about 50 LP’s for use on the SRE. They enjoyed their stay with us and we appreciated their kindness.

In complete contrast, the members of the Cartoonist Club of Great Britian left their mark in another way on the 6^th July, and their sketches and cartoons could be seen around the ship.

During this particular phase of our trials, the ship was called upon to give assistance on numerous occasions. The first was in the early hours of 1^st July when we went to the aid of the yacht PEGASA which required assistance as he was taking water. When Chief Shipwright Anthony Crampton transferred to the yacht he discovered that the was was fresh, and that the fresh water tanks had burst. The yacht was last seen heading for Plymouth.

The second incident occurred on 5^th July, again at night, when we were asked to look out for the motor vessel ALBATROSS which had broken down. The vessel was soon located and our engineers Lt Michael Grundy and Mechanician Bill Williamson decided that the repairs could not be done at sea and the vessel was towed to Falmouth by a  second motor vessel, the JOHN MITCHELL which had also answered the distress call.

 The third incident occurred on the 7^th July when we were asked by the oil rig Zephyr One if diving assistance could be provided to help clear one of its anchors that had become fouled during mooring operations. A team of seven divers led by Lt Stuart McClelland were flown to the rig and within three hours had completed the job.

 Throughout all the comings and goings the flying trials continued and everyone appeared satisfied with the results. The flyex in fact completed a day earlier than expected and buzzes were high that we would be alongside Devonport before the weekend. Unfortunately our hopes were dashed and we remained secured to “C” buoy throughout the week-end. To make matters even worse strong winds prevented the ship from entering harbour on the 11^th and it wasn’t until Tuesday 12^th July that we finally berthed alongside for leave, post sea rectifications and modifications and of course Plymouth Navy Days over the Bank Holiday period. The strenuous effort made by all departments for Navy Days resulted in 31,648 visitors thoroughly enjoying their time on board during the three days that we were open to the public

Band Concert: 2 July 1977

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