RAOC Gazette - page 182
Image details
| Corps | RAOC |
|---|---|
| Material type | Journals |
| Book page | |
| Chapter head | |
| Chapter key | |
| Chapter number | |
| Full title | RAOC Gazette |
| Page number | |
| Publication date | 1977 |
| Real page | |
| Colour | No |
| Grey | No |
| Early date | 1977 |
| Late date | 1977 |
| Transcription |
W$t filter 3Mtt &rtutto of the jflcet THE Review of the Fleet was given very full coverage by the media but so far as is known, this did not extend to the activities of the RAOC Sailing Association. The arrangements far the review included anchorages for yachts belonging to service clubs and their members and Army Sailing Association sponsorship was obtained for up to four vachts to be present as an " RAOC Flotilla." The notice to maainers issued by the Queen's Harbour Master was studied and plans made to cover anchoring off Browndown by mid morning on 28th June. The yachts in- volved were the RAOC Sailing Association yacht " Red Jerboa '* flying the flag of the Admiral of the Association, Major M General Minogue, " Nani Tal owned by Brigadier Dennison flying his flag as Commodore, '* Marease " owned by the DGOS, Major General Callan, and the RAOC Apprentices College yacht vv Thunderbolt" crewed by Lieutenant Colonel Bruce and sail- ing enthusiasts from the College. il Red Jerboa ^ was the first to drop anchor and was quickly followed by the other yachts. Despite the cloud and cold wind spirits were high and there was plenty to do and to see. Captain Hoe, in his capacity as Rear Commodore Offshore, was kept busy rowing Sergeant Crocombe to points where the latter could photograph the proceedings; and also in solving the problem of getting himself and the Vice Commodore of the RAOC Sailing Association, Colonel Church, from shore to ship without getting wet. During the course of the day the Corps Yachts were visited by Colonel Cowdry sailing a Kestrel Dinghy and by Major Squires and Major Ross in a Bosum. They tended to see every- thing from far nearer water level and were exposed to the elements but they were also able to move through the lines of ships for more of the time. The Kestrel in fact broke adrift without the second member of the crew but returned again despite wind and tide. Being afloat during the Review provided an opportunity to sense the real atmosphere created by the event, and it is believed that this is the first time that the Corps have been represented in this way. Major Genera) Minogue has written an interesting account of the day for another publication and has kindly given permission for this to be printed in THE GAZETTE. W$t Eopal &tbteto ON the evening before Her Majesty's Silver Jubilee Review of her Fleet at Spithead, members of the Service Yacht Clubs met at the Joint Services Sailing Centre, HMS Hornet. This was a rather special gathering of sailors, many of whom had not seen each other for a number of years. A barbecue was held by the Army Sailing Association and later, parties went to watch the Fleet light up. Even to those of us old enough to remem- ber the immortal broadcast, this was a fantastic sight. A Royal Review is an exceptional occasion for national officers of Yacht Clubs to fly their flags. The Admiral of the RAOC Sailing Association (a branch of the Army Sailing Association) has the good fortune to be not only a national officer of that Association, but also of the United Kingdom Wayfarer Class, A dress rehearsal was held that evening and the Flagship was dressed overall in the prescribed order of flags, flying the Admiral's flag at the mast head, the Way- farer Commodore's flag at one yard and the Army Sailing Association flag at the other. At 0700 hours on the day of the Review, the Flagship " Red Jerboa," named after the desert war and formerly the property of the Royal Armoured Corps, sailed from HMS Hornet This very early start was necessitated by the traffic at the Portsmouth entrance, which even at that hour was con- siderable. " Red Jerboa," a South-Coast one design, slipped round the Castle exit with a foot or so of water to spare and set sail down the Fleet. The assembled ships were a never to be forgotten sight—Aircraft Carriers, Cruisers, Destroyers, Frigates, Submarines, ships of Commonwealth Navies and - About- 1700 hrs we weighed anchor once more and sailed back through the Fleet and into Portsmouth. Tankers and Cross-Channel ferries of the Merchant Fleet, We dipped our ensign a time or two but forbore to do it too often because this was a bit hard on the Navy so early in the morning. We reached our allotted station off Browndown about i4 0900 hours and had breakfast Red. Jerboa " was heavily loaded with ten people aboard and more to be ferried out from the shore. Other Yachts of our Association soon joined us including * Nani Tal,'* a Westerley Berwick, with our Com- modore and other flag officers aboard. Also " Thunderbolt" from our Junior Leaders Regiment, and " Marease" a twenty- footer owned by another senior member. It was a grey and blustery day and sadly rather cold, but the sight of the yachts assembling dressed overall from one end of the Solent to the other was quite fantastic. At 1100 hours our dinghy fleet joined us from Netley and tied up astern. These included Bosuns, Wayfarers and Kestrels. So finally we were all assembled. Looking round the fleet of yachts, the strength of the wind parted a good number of flag halliards and some of the overall dressing looked like rather superb racing indicators trailing out astern. However, these were soon gathered in and the Fleet settled down to await Britannia. Britannia turned up promptly at 1400 hours and sailed round the Fleet from one end to the other with Her Majesty standing in the stern. As cheering echoed down the line of ships, we had a wonderful view. Owing to the weather the aircraft fly-past was cancelled but the helicopters followed Britannia's tour in full force. At about 1700 hours we weighed anchor once more, sailed back through the Fleet and into Portsmouth. The traffic was terrific and some of the sights quite magnificent. We were particularly impressed by the girls* training ship under full sail and helmed by a seventeen-year-old. We rapidly revised our views on women drivers! The Wayfarer, Admirals Flag, and the Army Sailing Association Flag flew throughout and were a brave sight. THE COVER PHOTOGRAPH RED JERBOA, dressed overall and flying the Admiral's flag at the masthead, the Wayfarer Commodores flag at one yard and the Army Sailing Association flag at the other, waiting for the Royal Review of the Fleet at Spithead. Photograph by Sergeant Crocombe. 140 — |
| Book number | R0246 |