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1
9 5 1
Administration
RN
Minewatching
Service formed
PINCHER
Report on Courts
Martial presented to
Parliament. 52 of 61
recommendations on
Summary Punishment
accepted.
RN
Patrol Service
Regulations altered.
Rank
of Skipper replaced by
Sub-Lieutenant.
Reserve
and Auxiliary Forces
Bill had second
Reading in Parliament.
Protection
provided for Recalled
man and Reservists.
Investigations
into living conditions
during service in
tropics began at
Singapore.
Survival
equipment research
programme initiated.
Rank
of Commodore
introduced in RFA
Service.
Generic
title of Flotilla
for destroyers and
frigates replaced by
Squadron.
Potential
threat from Soviet
submarines recognised.
NATO
Standards for
equipment to be
introduced including
use of alternating
current (AC) as basic
electrical power
supply in ships.
Total
Manpower strength
increased to 152,000.
Requirement
for Royal Corps of
Naval Constructors
(RCNC)
Department in
Admiralty and Royal
Dockyards 125 below
complement.
RNVR
ceiling raised
to 11,000.
RNVR
Divisions
given ship's
names.
New
pay code introduced.
Officers
600
Emergency List and
RNVR officers
recalled by 1st
April for 18 months
service.
Extension
of service for
existing Engagements
anticipated as being
for 18 months.
Ratings
re-engagement bounty
of £100 introduced.
Pension
increases announced.
6,000
RFR ratings recalled
by 1st April for 18
months service.
44
percent of manpower
serving at sea.
2,500
National Serviceman
joined.
Ships
Two
ships being built for
China seized and
entered as Royal Fleet
Auxiliaries.
HMS
CAMPANIA began
Festival of Britain
cruise.
HM
Frigate RELENTLESS,
first anti-submarine
frigate conversion
commissioned.
HM
Survey Ship VIDAL
launched at Chatham.
Design included
helicopter operating
facility.
First
gas turbine-powered
operational ships – HM
Fast Patrol Boats BOLD
PATHFINDER and BOLD
PIONEER
HM
Aircraft Carrier EAGLE
completed.
HM
Destroyer DARING began
contractors
seas trials.
Build
of new Royal Yacht
announced and to be
named BRITANNIA.
HM
Destroyer GRENVILLE
involved in collision
with Italian
mercantile ALCEO, with
3 killed and 4
missing.
HM
Battleships DUKE OF
YORK and KING GEORGE V
(pictured -
Maritime Quest)
laid-up in reserve in
Gareloch.
HM
Battleship HOWE at
Devonport as Senior
Officer, Reserve
Fleet.
Submarines
Investigation
into use of nuclear
propulsion began.
Submarine
and diving research
programme in hand.
HM
Submarine AFFRAY lost
in English Channel
without survivors
after failure of Schnorkel
mast structure.
Extensive search and
subsequent salvage
operation carried out
which included use of
underwater television.
New
escape hatch fitted in
other "A" Class
submarines.
Naval
Aviation
Royal
Naval Air Station
commissioned at
Singapore as HMS
SEMBAWANG.
Helicopter
trial landings made in
RFA FORT DUSQUESNE.
Future
use of helicopters in
the anti-submarine
role recognised.
New
anti-submarine
squadron formed.
RNVR
air squadrons
re-equipped with SEA
FURY and FIREFLY Mark
VI aircraft
Home
Station
Closure
of RN Supply School
HMS CERES at Wetherby
projected.
Major
Home Fleet Exercise
carried out in
October.
HMS
EAGLE commenced sea
trials.
Modernisation
of HM Cruisers
BIRMINGHAM and
NEWCASTLE completed.
HM
Cruiser NEWFOUNDLAND
modernisation in
hand.
HM
Light Fleet Aircraft
Carrier TRIUMPH, HM
Fast Minelayers
MANXMAN and APOLLO
brought
forward
from Reserve for
service.
Mirrlees
diesel engine problems
in coastal
minesweepers
recognised.
HM
Aircraft Carrier
INDOMITABLE replaced
HM Battleship VANGUARD
as Home Fleet
Flagship.
Foreign
Stations
RN
deployments with UN in
Korea continued.
Yangtse
river steamer
converted for use as
HQ ship at Sasebo,
Japan. Commissioned
as HMS LADYBIRD.
RN
support for military
operations during
Malayan Emergency
continued.
Yangtse
River patrol
discontinued.
Completion
of closure of HM
Dockyard Bermuda.
HM
Frigate BIGBURY BAY,
HM Sloop SPARROW and
HM Fast Minelayer
MANXMAN assisted in
relief work after
Hurricane in Jamaica.
British
Vice Admiral serving
with UN Task Force off
Korea on promotion
from Rear Admiral
agreed to remain under
overall command of US
Navy Rear Admiral.
Explosion
in RFA BEDENHAM at
Gibraltar on 24 April,
13 killed, but not
members of the crew.
RN
deployments made to
Abadan after Iranian
threat to nationalise
oil industry
HM
Aircraft Carrier
ILLUSTRIOUS and HM
Light Fleet Aircraft
Carrier TRIUMPH
refitted for transport
of
troops to Cyprus and
the Canal Zone in
Egypt.
1
9 5 2
Administration
Reserve
Fleet ships to be
dispersed as a
precaution from a Nuclear
attack and transferred
to Cardiff, Penarth,
West Hartlepool,
Barrow, Greenock and Lisahally,
Ulster.
Manpower
strength 147,000
Start
Service Commission
offered to some
aircrew ratings on
Regular Engagements
Atomic
tests at Montebello,
Australia included the
vaporisation of HM
Frigate PLYM.
Officers
National
Service entry
10,000.
MONTAGUE
Committee set up to
examine methods of
entry into Dartmouth.
Ratings
8,500
'Time Expired‘
personnel
still serving.
Provision
of canned beer at
Sea under
investigation.
Boy
Entries to Seamen and
Communications
Branches to be
accepted between 16Yrs
6 months and 17Yrs 6
months as in other
Branches.
Ships
HMS
VICTORIOUS refit
being delayed due to
shortages of skilled
labour in Royal
Dockyards.
Build
of TIGER Class
cruisers still
suspended.
HM
Fast Minelayer APOLLO
(right - Navy
Photos/Mark Teadham)
visited Ferrol,
Spain for
first official RN
visit since Civil War.
HM
Frigate HELMSDALE used
for trials to examine
propeller cavitation.
Low
rate of fuel transfer
by RN tankers
publicised in USA
press.
First
Type 14 Anti-Submarine
Frigate laid
down.
Two
EX US Navy destroyers
lent by Britain to
Soviet Navy during WW2
returned to UK.
HM
Cruiser ROYALIST
modernisation began.
Total
number of
Destroyer/Frigate
conversions reduced
from 85 to 33
Some
newly constructed
Inshore and Coastal
'minesweepers to put
directly into Reserve
after Acceptance
Trials. Increased
research facilities
for constructional
investigations to be
provided at
CRE,
Dunfermline.
New
design Anti
Submarine Mortar
System (LIMBO) to be
fitted in
Destroyer/Frigate
conversions.
HM
aircraft Carrier
FORMIDABLE to be
scrapped.
HM
Cruiser SWIFTSURE
escorted M/S PATRICIA,
serving as Royal
Yacht, to Helsinki for
the Olympic Games
being held in
Helsinki.
Submarines
Trials
of new Immersion
Suit to be carried
out.
100
Foot Escape Tower to
be built at Gosport in
HMS DOLPHIN for 'Free
Escape‘
training.
Naval
Aviation
Steam
Catapult trials
completed and
demonstration to be
given by HMS PERSEUS
in USA.
First
trials of Prototype
Mirror Deck Landing
Sight carried out in
HMS ILLUSTRIOUS.
Helicopter
used for Search and
Rescue in two
Carriers.
Aircraft
fitted with SKYRAIDER
Early Warning radar to
be obtained from USA
Delays
in completion of HMS
VICTORIOUS
compounded by need
to fit Angled Flight
Deck and Steam
Catapult.
Commercial
SYCAMORE Helicopter
trials carried out in
HMS TRIUMPH.
Training
Establishment HMS
ARIEL at Warrlngton,
Lanes closed and all
Electrical Training
transferred to Worthy
Down, Winchester name
HMS ARIEL retained.
HMS
LANDRAIL RN Air
Station at Macrihanish,
Argyll, Scotland
closed.
Royal
Flypast carried out at
Lee on Solent.
Home
Station
Minesweeping
training exercise
BANDEAU II carried out
in Forth estuary
supervised by Flag
Officer Scotland. Summer
NATO and Home Fleet
exercises including
Operation CASTANETS
for Trade Protection
and Mine Counter
measures.
Exercise VIKING held
in Oslo Fjord after
Home Fleet visits to
Norway with attacks by
Norwegian Fast Patrol
Boats carried out
after Home Fleet
visits to Norwegian
ports.
Autumn
NATO Exercise
MAINBRACE
Heavy
casualties on board HM
Motor Launch 2582 when
hit by crashing Dutch
jet aircraft off Den Helder
HM
Minesweeper WAVE ran
aground off St Ives,
Cornwall and some of
crew rescued by
Breeches Buoy.
Foreign
Stations
Spring
Combined Home and
Mediterranean Fleets
Exercise GRAND SLAM.
NATO
Mediterranean Summer
Cruise Exercise
BEEHIVE II
Commonwealth
WW2 War Memorial
opened in Athens.
Attended by CinC
Mediterranean in HM
Despatch Vessel
SURPRISE.
Egypt
abrogated 1936 Treaty
with Great Britain.
Naval parties used to
ensure flow of Suez
Canal shipping.
Passage of 2,600 mercantiles
assisted.
Naval
deployments in Korea
continued.
Malayan
Emergency naval
support continued
Mercantile
ss
GOTHIC converted for
use during tour of
Australia by Princess
Elizabeth and the Duke
of Edinburgh.
Argentine
interference with
British activities in
Antarctica continued.
West
Indies Station ships
to be provided by Home
Fleet for periods of
one year on Station
HM
Sloop ALACRITY put
boarding party on
British mercantile ss
ATHELDUKE to assist
Master after crew
unrest.
1
9 5 3
Administration
Increase
of finding by Treasury
for Married Quarters.
Manpower
strength 151,000.
4,000
National Servicemen
joined.
Manning
redundancies enforced
except in Far East.
Greenwich
Observatory moved to Herstmonceaux,
Sussex.
Russian
naval strength
reported to
Parliament.
1,000
officers and 16,000
rating retained
because of Korean War.
RFA recalls were 600
and 8,000
Local
Overseas Allowance and
Married Unaccompanied
payments introduced
for man serving
overseas.
Officers
Officers
on Pre 1946 Pensions
still receiving 1919
Scale payments.
Despite
Montague Report
recommendation that
Dartmouth entry
should return to age
13 entry to
Dartmouth.
Admiralty decided all
Cadets to Join
at 18 with first entry
in May 1955.
Ratings
Payment
of Re-engagement
Bounty to continue.
Increase
in number of 12 year
Engagements noted but
manpower diminishing.
Additional
funds for building
married quarters at
Portsmouth voted by
Parliament. Work to be
started at Portsmouth,
Chatham and Plymouth.
Ships
Sabotage
incidents in HMS
WARRIOR, HMS TRIUMPH
and HMS INDEFATIGABLE.
(For
some of the possible
background to these
incidents - see "Some
Aspects of
Officer/Rating
Relationships in
the Royal Navy
1941-1972")
Trials
of new design gun
mountings for TIGER
Class cruisers carried
out in HM Cruiser
CUMBERLAND (right
- old County-class
heavy cruiser
employed as Trials
Cruiser, Navy
Photos).
HMS
INDOMITABLE paid-off
because of fire damage
and to provide crews
for HMS ARK ROYAL and
HMS CENTAUR.
HMS
TRIUMPH replaced HM
Cruiser DEVONSHIRE as
Cadet Training Ship.
Completion
of HMS VICTORIOUS
forecast for 1957.
HM
Aircraft Carrier EAGLE
commissioned.
Submarines
Marker
Buoy trials carried
out by HM Submarine
ANDREW.
HMS
ANDREW made submerged
crossing of Atlantic
Ocean.
Test
launches of torpedo
using HTP fuel carried
cut (Exercise FANCY).
Naval
Aviation
Name
changed back to Fleet
Air Arm.
First
fit of British Angled
Flight Deck in US Navy
aircraft carrier.
USS
ANTIETAM gave
demonstration off
Spithead using new
facilities including
operation of SEA HAWK
aircraft.
Trials
of two sets of Mirror
Landing Sight carried
out.
HMS
VENGEANCE loaned to
RAN pending completion
of HMAS MELBOURNE.
Helicopter
trials carried out in
RFA FORT DUSQUESNE.
Home
Station
HMS
DILIGENCE commissioned
at Hythe, Hampshire
specifically for
acceptance of Inshore
and Coastal
Minesweepers.
Coronation
Review by HM Queen
Elizabeth II at
Spithead. HM
Despatch Vessel
SURPRISE used as Royal
Yacht.
50th
Anniversary of use of
HMS VICTORY as name
for RN Barracks at
Portsmouth
WRNS
Depot at Burghfield
commissioned as HMS
DAUNTLESS.
Dartmouth
RN College became
BRITANNIA RNC instead
of HMS BRITANNIA
following use for the
name for the Royal
Yacht.
Boiler
Room explosion in HM
Destroyer DUCHESS with
1 fatality and 3
injured.
Naval
parties gave
assistance after
flooding of east coast
areas in UK.
HM
Submarine SIRDAR and
HM Frigate BERKELEY
CASTLE damaged in HM
Dockyard, Sheerness
during adverse weather
conditions.
HM
Cruiser SWIFTSURE and
HM Destroyer DIAMOND
involved in collision
off Iceland. Both
ships sustained
serious damaged.
Fire
on board RN Fast
Patrol Boats at
Aarhus, Denmark
during visit.
Foreign
Stations
Several
casualties caused by
serious fire on board
HMS INDOMITABLE.
Two George
Medals awarded.
HM
Depot Ship TYNE
deployed at Sasebo,
Japan in place of HMS
LADYBIRD for support
of RN ships serving
with UN
in Korea.
HM Depot ship
RANPURA replaced HMS
TYNE in Malta.
Anglo-Egyptian
tension reduced and
only Guardship
deployed at Port Said.
RN
warships took part in
major international
SEATO exercises (JET)
in Indian Ocean
CinC
Mediterranean visited
Massawa,
Eritrea.
Malayan
Emergency naval
support still required
and helicopters used
for first time.
HM
Cruiser SHEFFIELD
attended Brazilian
Navy Review.
Forty
cases of interference
during passage of
British flagged ships
reported in Far East.
HMS
ST BRIDES BAY
prevented seizure of
mercantile ss
NIGELOCK in Straits of
Formosa. HM
ML1323 fired on by
Chinese in Pearl River
with 3 fatalities.
Korean
War armistice signed
and RN ships resumed
to Fleet duties.
RN
assistance provided
after earthquake in
Greek Islands and
Cyprus.
Local
political unrest in
British Guiana.
Troops embarked
in HMS SUPERB and HMS
BIGBURY BAY in Jamaica
and in HMS SHEFFIELD
at Plymouth to prove
aid to civil power.
Mercantile
ss
GOTHIC embarked Royal
Party in Jamaica for
Commonwealth tour.
No
Guardship
deployed at Trieste
after Italian/Yugoslav
crisis.
During
visit to Taranto crews
of HM Destroyers
ROEBUCK and WRANGLER
attacked by hostile
crowds
HM
Sloop FLAMINGO
recovered Arab Dhow
stolen by pirates in
Indian Ocean.
1
9 5 4
Administration
General
Service Commissions
for ships introduced
and to last 18 months
instead of 30 months
of foreign
service.
Aircraft Carrier
commissions to be 2
year and foreign
service for
all other ships
restricted to 18
months.
Shore
foreign
service to
remain as 30 months
with free family
passages
Pay
increases announced.
Married
quarters building
started in Home Ports.
New
Queens Regulations and
Admiralty Instructions
published.
National
Service intake
increased to 6,500.
Modernisation
of ship and shore
accommodation
announced.
Comparison
of costs of
Commercial and Royal
Dockyard refits
raised in
Parliament.
Official
List of Battle Honours
promulgated In
Admiralty Fleet Order.
Officers
Midshipmen
no longer to serve
at sea.
Lack
of sea time available
is evident for Seamen
Branch officers.
Shortage
of Seamen Branch
List Officers.
Premature
retirement to be
permitted at 'own
request'.
Ratings
Increased
concern evident
about lack of
Re-engagement and a
deterioration in
recruiting
generally.
Complaints
made in Press included
Food, Discipline,
Uniform, Hot Water
rationing in ships and
effects of family
separation.
Discharge
by Purchase
regulations
introduced. 70
applications out of
107 officers approved.
830 application
out of 1,016 ratings
approved
Broadside
messing still in
use.
Entitlement
for all Good Conduct
Badge changed to 4
year intervals,
instead of first after
3 years service,
second after 8 years
and third after 13
years by Admiralty
Fleet Order 2132/54.
PILCHER
Committee Report
accepted and Leading
Ratings and above can
chose trial by Court
Martial instead of
summary punishment by
commanding officer.
Article
in Press about
re-introduction of
Warrant Rank
Ships
Sabotage
incidents reported in
HM Ships EAGLE, GLORY,
INDEFATIGABLE, OCEAN,
MONTCLARE, BARFLEUR,
DELIGHT, HM Submarines
ARTEMIS and TURPIN.
HMS
VANGUARD (right
- Navy Photos),
HMS IMPLACABLE and
HMS INDEFATIGABLE
to be withdrawn from
service.
HMS
ILLUSTRIOUS,
HMS CAMPANIA and HMS
PIONEER to be
scrapped.
HM
Maintenance Ship
GIRDLENESS to be
converted for use as
Guided Weapon Trials
ship for SEASLUG
Guided Weapon for
anti-aircraft defence.
Records
of Bathythermograph
readings, Depth
recordings and
results of Magnetic
Swing to be kept
during Ocean
Passages in future
(Admiralty Fleet
Order 29452/54).
HM
Minesweepers COQUETTE
and ROMOLA assisted
Goodwin Lightship
before it sank in
storm.
HMS
ILLUSTRIOUS stood by
tanker in Irish Sea
during last passage
before Paying-off.
HM
Royal Yacht BRITANNIA
embarked Royal Family
in Malta for return to
London after
Commonwealth visits
HM
Destroyer DAINTY
reduced to Reserve
status due to lack of
manpower.
SEASLUG
Missiles tested at Woomera
Range in Australia
First
trials of SEACAT
Guided Missile carried
out.
HMS
BIRMINGHAM and HMS
NEWCASTLE returned to
UK after two years to
recommission
under new General
Service Commission
arrangements.
HMS
CUMBERLAND carried out
first 'Pre-Wetting'
trials against effects
of nuclear fallout.
Submarines
Four
Midget Submarines
(SPRAT Class) replaced
XE Craft.
First
HTP powered submarine
HM Submarine EXPLORER
launched.
Search
operations activated
for HM Submarines
ALCIDE (right - in
1947, Navy Photos) and
SCORCHER after failure
to report surfacing.
HM
Submarine TALENT swept
into River Medway
after Dock Caisson
collapsed in Dockyard.
HMS
KINGFISHER (Ex Salvage
Vessel KING SALVOR)
commissioned for use
as Submarine Rescue
Ship.
Naval
Aviation
HMS
ST MERRYN, Naval Air
Station, Cornwall
closure announced.
HMS
SISKIN, Naval Air
Station, Gosport
closure announced.
First
Anti-Submarine
Helicopter Squadron
operational.
First
reference to future
use of naval
aircraft for nuclear
weapons.
HMS
CENTAUR to be refitted
and 'Interim Angled
Flight Deck’
installed.
Mirror
Deck Landing Sight
introduced into
service.
WIVERN
aircraft grounded
after engine problems.
First
Angled Deck Trials
carried out in HMS
ALBION.
Home
Station
HM
Frigate VIRAGO carried
out trials in Arctic
using first
operational Inflatable
20 Man Life raft.
Uniform
still required to be
worn by Junior
ratings going ashore
on leave.
Devonport
NBCD School at Tamerton
Foliot
moved to Gunnery
School at Wembury.
Royal
Marines establishment
at Poole (Ex WW2 HMS
TURTLE) opened on 1st
December.
Advance
Party from Fort
Cumberland arrived in
September.
*
Reserve Fleet Article
in NAVY NEWS.
HMS
DEFIANCE Hulk used at
Devonport Paid-off. Last
Hulk to be used by
RN.
HM
Minesweeper 1558
, Tender to
RNVR London Division
sank after fire in
English Channel
Extensive
search carried out in
Bristol Channel for
crashed JAVELIN
aircraft
Ex
Royal Yacht HMS
VICTORIA AND ALBERT
left Portsmouth to be
broken-up.
Foreign
Stations
Reserve
Fleet ships at
Gibraltar cleaned up
by a combined Fleet
operation instigated
by Admiral
Mountbatten, CinC
Mediterranean in
preparation for the
Royal visit in HM
Yacht BRITANNIA when
on passage to UK after
Commonwealth Tour.
CENTO
multi-national
exercise (JET) off
Colombo (August)
Far
East Station Fleet
exercise carried out
off Manus (October)
Search
for wreckage of
crashed COMET aircraft
carried out by
Mediterranean Fleet
ships, HMS WAKEFUL
recovered large
section using
television equipment.
Visit
to Spanish ports
cancelled after claims
by Spain to
sovereignty of
Gibraltar
HMS
TRIUMPH,
HMS SAINTES and HMS ST
KITTS embarked took
personnel from
troopship EMPIRE
WINDRUSH after
catching fire off
Algiers. 4 of
troopship crew lost
their lives.
HM
Landing Ship (Tank)
BEN LOMOND returned to
UK after carrying out
Germ Warfare trials in
West Indies.
Naval
support during Malayan
Emergency continued.
Formosa
Straits patrol
continued to deter
further threat to
British flagged ships.
HMS
WARRIOR used to
evacuate refugees from
Haiphong.
HMS
VIDAL provided relief
in Haiti after
Hurricane.
RM
Commando withdrawn
from Canal Zone by HMS
GAMBIA and HMS
GLASGOW.
HMS
WHIRLWIND and HMS
ROEBUCK embarked last
British Troops from
Trieste.
HMS
GAMBIA embarked
Emperor Haile
Selassie
in Malta for State
Visit to UK.
1
9 5 5
Administration
Restrictions
on issue of Beer at
sea relaxed but no
regular issue to be
made. Ship Refit-Cycle
policy changed.
Dockyards
to be responsible
for 'clean' handover
of ship on
completion.
Admiral
Mountbatten took up
appointment as First
Sea Lord.
GOODENOUGH
Committee formed to
investigate use of
naval manpower.
Independent
Chairman appointed to
Chiefs of Staff
Committee.
Emergency
Ports to be provided
for use in event of
nuclear attack
announced.
Payment
of Local Overseas
Allowance introduced.
Future
use of aircraft
carriers criticised in
National Press.
Reduction
of number of ships
in Reserve Fleet to
be made.
Increased
use of air transport
for commissioning of
ships overseas and
for transport of
families.
Extension
of modernisation
programme in Royal
Dockyards anticipated.
Torpedo
development programme
details announced in
Parliament at variance
with the actual
achievement. First
trials of Mk 24
prototype
Hydrographic
work included
investigation into
Anti-Submarine sea
conditions and
production of new
charts to suit
increased use of radio
navigational aids by mercantiles
such as DECCA and
LORAN
Officers
HMS
TEMERAIRE commissioned
at Port Edgar, Queensferry,
Scotland for the
training of Upper
Yardman instead of at
RNC Dartmouth
following a 5 Year
trial period.
After
promulgation by
Admiralty Fleet Order
1/54
, increasing
concern voiced by
officers over career
structure as
compulsory
redundancies possible.
Changes
to be introduced in
1st January 1957
included:
Two
separate Lists to be
introduced for
Commanders on
promotion ('Wet” and
“Dry” Lists).
“Branch
Rank” generic title
replaced by “Special
Duties List” for
ratings promoted to
Commissioned Rank
Uniform
colour designation for
used to identify Non
Executive Officers
discarded with the
exception of Medical,
Dental and Constructor
Branches.
Permanent
commissions to be
given to aircrew
officers on
Supplementary List.
Cadet
entry requirements
reduced.
Dartmouth
Training Squadron
Cruiser HMS DEVONSHIRE
used for Cadet
Training Ships
replaced by HM Ships -
HM Destroyers
VIGILANT, VENUS,
CARRON, HM Fleet
Minesweepers JEWEL and
ACUTE.
Ratings
*
Article on Mechanician
Rating in NAVY NEWS.
Wearing
of Plain Clothes by
ratings when going on
leave allowed.
New
assign of uniforms
announced including
plastic white tops for
caps instead of loose
covers and new foul
weather gear.
New
Entries for totalled
9,000 including
6,000 for National
Service.
Availability
of only 62 married
quarters at Portsmouth
since 1946 hardly
encouraged
re-engagement.
Consultant
appointed to assist in
improving
accommodation in ships
Stoker
Mechanic Title
replaced 'Stoker'
rating introduced in
1842.
Improved
opportunities to be
provided for ratings
to be promoted to
Special Duties List.
Ships
Experience
gained in trials to
simulate atomic
attacks showed need
for closed citadels
including compartments
such as Operations
Room and
Communications Offices
in Bridge structure.
Pre-wetting
trials continued in HM
Trials Cruiser
CUMBERLAND.
HMS
ARK ROYAL
commissioned. Steam
Catapult and Angled
Flight Deck fitted.
Ships Bell from
renowned WW2 aircraft
carrier presented by
previous ships'
company
First
Coastal Minesweeper
fitted with new DELTIC
- NAPIER propulsion
engine commissioned
Trials
carried out in HMS
CUMBERLAND using new
design Sea-boat.
Only
sabotage reported was
in HMS WARRIOR.
First
of new Type 15 Fleet
Destroyer/Frigate
Conversions joined
Fleet
HM
Frigate EGLINTON held
in Reserve Fleet ship
at Hartlepool brought
forward for Fleet
service (Exercise
SLEEPING BEAUTY I)
Modernisation
of HMS VICTORIOUS
and HMS ROYALIST in
hand.
HMS
VANGUARD nominated to
recommission
with reduced
complement after
refit.
HMS
BRITANNIA took part in
Fleet exercise in
Mediterranean in her
role as a Hospital
Ship.
HMS
GREY GOOSE
commissioned for use
as Test Bed for
Gas-Turbine propulsion
Machinery trials.
HMS
TRIUMPH and HMS APOLLO
visit Leningrad in
exchange for visit to
Portsmouth by Soviet
warships SVERDLOV and
ALEXANDER SUVAROV.
Submarines
6th
Submarine Squadron of
“A” Class at Halifax,
Canada and 4th
Submarine Squadron at
Sydney formed to
satisfy requirements
of RCN and RAN for
anti-submarine
training.
HMS
SOLENT carried out
'Free Ascent' trials
in Loch Fyne
at a depth of 128
feet.
Feasibility
of 'One Man Escape'
Chamber established as
a result.
HMS
SIDON sank at Portland
following explosion of
HTP used for
propulsion fuel. 13
crew were
killed.
Naval
Aviation
Introduction
of the Angled Deck
and the Mirror
Landing Sight shown
to reduce incidence
of accidents when
landing on aircraft
carriers.
Mirror
Landing Sight
demonstrated to USN
during Mediterranean
exercises with 6th
Fleet
WIVERN
aircraft to be
replaced by
BUCCANEER.
First
trials of
replenishment using
helicopters (VERTREP)
Orders
for WESSEX Mk II A/S
Helicopters, SEA VIXEN
and SCIMITAR aircraft
orders announced.
Demonstration
of
'Sproule'
Net for rescue of
personnel from water
demonstrated.
'Audio'
Air Speed Indicator
Introduced.
Filming
of aircraft landings
became standard
practice after a crash
landing on HMS EAGLE.
Minesweeping
trials using
helicopter carried
out.
Aircrew
rating received
Commendation for his
brave actions to
assist pilot after
aircraft crashed off
Lands End.
Home
Station
Assistance
provided by
'air-drops' to
communities in NW
Scotland after
blizzards.
Island
of Rockall annexed by
HMS VIDAL because of
intended use of sea
area off Hebrides to
be used as for testing
of Guided Weapons.
Reserve
Fleet Divisions at
Harwich and Sheerness
closed following
completion of
dispersal of ships
laid-up.
RFA
FORT ROSALIE used for
disposal of
radio-active waste in
Atlantic.
Inshore
Minesweepers deployed
to clear allied
minefields off Sjaeland,
Denmark.
Salvage
of HM Auxiliary
Minelayer PORT TALBOT
began at Kyle of Lochalsh.
This ship was lost
during WW2 after a
fire.
Foreign
Stations
South
America and South
Atlantic Station
introduced.
Simons
Town Dockyard and Base
facilities handed over
to South African Navy.
New Build
programme for South
African Navy
announced.
CENTO
Exercise JET in Indian
Ocean included
warships of
Australian, New
Zealand, Indian Navies
as well as some from
new
South Atlantic
Station.
Joint
Anti-Submarine School
(JASS) exercise
carried out in
Mediterranean.
Patrols
off Cyprus established
to prevent smuggling
of arms.
HMS
OCEAN and HMS THESEUS
ferried stores for 3rd
Commando Brigade in
Cyprus.
RN
support for military
operations in Malaya
still required. HMS
COMUS and HMS
NEWCASTLE carried out
bombardments prior to
low level air attacks
by RAF LINCOLN
aircraft.
Fleet
air Arm WHIRLWIND
Squadron based at
Kuala Lumpur also
extensively used.
Build
up of RN presence in
Falklands after
Argentine seizure of
Peruvian whale
catchers
HMS
PROTECTOR sailed for
first use as Ice
Patrol Ship with RM
Detachment embarked
and a Hydrographic
party.
Interference
by Chinese warships
with British shipping
off Formosa continued
and patrols made. Two
mercantiles
shelled and forced to
stop.
HM
Sloop OPOSSUM visited
Pnom
Penn.
HMS
LOCH KILLISPORT and
HMS LOCH INSH (right
- Navy Photos)
engaged in major fire
fighting in Italian
tanker ARGEA PRIMA
after collision in
Straits of Hormuz.
HMS
WAKEFUL towed damaged
US Flying Boat to
Malta.
1
9 5 6
Administration
Voluntary
Retirements.
Officers: 111 out of
153 Applicants.
Ratings: 1174 out of
1370 Applicants.
New
Pay and Pensions Code
introduced.
Centralised
Drafting System to
be introduced to
replace separate
drafting from Port
Divisions at
Portsmouth,
Devonport and
Chatham.
Drafting Preference
Cards introduced for
ratings to complete.
Extensive
rundown of Reserve
Fleet with many ships
placed on Disposal
List. Remaining
ships re-categorised
into three Classes.
Intake
of 7,500 expected
compared with 10,100
in 1952/3.
Total
manpower requirement
of 128,00
to be reduced by 1958.
New
Anti-Submarine Trainer
to be provided at RN
Tactical School,
Woolwich.
NATO
support requirement
started in UK for
moorings, fuel depots
and communications.
Officers
General
Review of Officer structure
to be implemented by
1957. General List
introduced and Cadet
Entry requirements
revised. Special
Duties List to replace
Branch List. Proposal
to have different
design uniform buttons
was dropped rapidly
after concern of
officers concerned.
Special Duties
Officers to wear same
uniform rank
designation as General
List and titles
changed
Compulsory
retirement age raised
to 50 except for
Commanders and above.
Supplementary
List to include
Seaman Officers.
Coloured
Lace on uniforms
abolished except for
Medical, Dental and
Constructor Branches.
300
officers retained
after reaching old
retirement age, and
re-employed released.
Dartmouth
vacancies filled with
by award of 90
Scholarships from 840
applications.
Recruitment
of personnel for Royal
Corps of Naval
Constructors to be
encouraged for school
leavers accepted for
University education.
Expected
National Service
intake 6,000.
Ratings
Evening
Rig introduced for
Chief Petty Officers.
Uniform
for all Ratings of
Supply and Secretariat
Branch and Artificers
under training changed
into Seaman Rig
Continuous
Service Engagement
Periods altered. 9
Year term Instead of
7 or 12 Years,
except for Artificer
Apprentices.
Royal Fleet Reserve
Service no longer
required on discharge.
Further service of 5
years planned instead
of 10 year period.
"Boy"
Rating title changed
to "Junior".
New
Gunnery Rating
qualifications
Introduced in
Admiralty Fleet Order
1904/56
New
design Hats introduced
to replace Cap Covers
and to be permanently
used instead of only
in Summer
months.
Ships
Air
Conditioning to be
provided in Living
Spaces.
HMS
CENTAUR to be refitted
with Steam Catapults
and improved radar fit
when replaced by HMS
BULWARK.
Improved
arrangements for
refits announced.
Design
for Guided Missile
Destroyer design with
SEASLUG weapon system
in hand.
HMS
HARDY (right -
Navy Photos/David
Downey), first
Type 14 A/S Frigate
completed
HMS
GIRDLENESS
commissioned as Trials
Ship for SEASLUG. (24
July)
HM
Depot Ship AULANIA to
be scrapped.
HM
Destroyer DAINTY
brought forward from
Reserve in second
"SLEEPING BEAUTY"
Exercise. Inshore
Minesweeper to be
brought forward in
SLEEPING BEAUTY III
in June.
Conversion
of HMS TRIUMPH for use
as a Repair Ship
began. (Note:
Completion took 9
years.)
Trials
in HMS CUMBERLAND
included gunnery
firings against
Pilot-less aircraft
and new design 6" guns
to be fitted in
"TIGER" Class
cruisers.
Submarines
Design
of Nuclear power plant
for submarines begin
carried out in
conjunction with
commercial companies.
First
high speed submarine
HMS EXPLORED began
trials using HTP fuel.
Proposal
to fit nuclear weapons
raised
in Parliament
Search
operations carried out
for HMS ACHERON off
Iceland after failure
of communications.
Naval
Aviation
RN
Air Station HMS SISKIN
at Gosport Paid-off.
Land to be used for
Marine Engineer
Training School and
establishment renamed
HMS SULTAN. Facilities
at Flathouse
to be retained.
HMS
SULTAN to be used by
Admiralty Interview
Board.
Home
Station
HMS
SULTAN, Mechanical
Training
Establishment at Flathouse
to transfer to
Gosport.
Reserve
Fleet Category changes
introduced.
Proposal
made for Dounray,
Scotland to be used as
Nuclear Test
Establishment by RN.
Base
facilities as Scapa
Flow closed.
Invergordon
facility to be placed
in Care and
Maintenance
Two
Naval Air Stations
closed and six other
shore establishments.
HMS
CAMBRIDGE commissioned
at Wembury,
Devon for use as
Gunnery School.
Replaced School in RN
Barracks at Devonport
(HMS DRAKE) used since
1907.
3rd
Training Squadron
moved from Londonderry
to Plymouth
(September)
*
Article in NAVY NEWS
on Joint
Anti-Submarine School,
HMS SEA EAGLE at RNAS
Londonderry.
HMS
RALEIGH at Plymouth to
be Paid
off and training
transferred to RN
Barracks, Devonport.
Training
at Devonport
Division Signal
School at Vicarage
Road to be
transferred to HM
Signal School (HMS
MERCURY), Petersfield.
HMS
DEFIANCE (Hulk) at
Devonport once used
for accommodation to
be Paid-off and
training transferred
HMS
SULTAN at Gosport
for engineering
ratings or HMS
COLLINGWOOD at
Fareham for
electrical ratings.
Trials
on use of oxy-helium
by divers at 600 feet
carried out in Diving
Training Ship HMS
DEEPWATER.
Torpedo
Trials Unit at Stokes
Bay, Gosport
transferred to RNAS
CULDROSE
HMS
WIZARD, RN end RAF
helicopters rescued
crew of tanker
DOOVEFJELJL off
Portland.
Belgian
fishing vessel escaped
from HMS SQUIRREL of
Fishery Protection
Squadron with an RN
rating still on board.
Rating subsequently
left en a Lightship.
Extensive
press publicity over
death of Commander
Crabbe (Ex RNVR)
during visit by Soviet
cruiser to Portsmouth
HMS
VANGUARD replaced HMS
CLEOPATRA and HMS DIDO
in Reserve Fleet at
Portsmouth and became
Flagship of Reserve
Fleet.
Deep
Diving Record using
standard Diving Suit
established from HMS
RECLAIM.
Foreign
Stations
HMS
AMBROSE commissioned
at Halifax, Canada for
support of submarines
used for training,
HMS
MANXMAN and HMS URSA
took relief stores to
Lebanon after an
earthquake
Suez
Canal nationalised.
HMS MANXMAN end HMS
JAMAICA sent to
Cyprus. Extensive
precautionary measures
at Home and abroad
included
requisitioning of
ships in anticipation
of action against
Egypt following Suez
Canal nationalisation.
Two destroyers (Ex HMS
MYNGS and HMS ZENITH)
sold to Egypt were
allowed to sail from
Portsmouth but not
without ammunition.
Discharge by Purchase
suspended
Operation
MUSKETEER executed to
recover control of
Suez Canal with French
forces involved. 105
RN ships and RFA
deployed. Later UN
took over control of
situation and RN ships
dispersed. HMS CHEVRON
remained for use by
NOIC after hostilities
ceased. Some RN
presence retained for
clearance of sunken
ships. Extensive
salvage work
undertaken.
Formosa
Strait patrol
continued. HMS ST
BRIDES BAY obtained
release of mercantile
HYDRALCOC.
HMS
EAGLE carried out
exercises with US Navy
aircraft carriers in
Mediterranean and also
visited Istanbul.
HMS
LOCH FADA embarked
Archbishop Makarios
at Mombasa for passage
to exile in
Seychelles.
HMS
DIANA deployed as Guardship
at Montebello during
second Atomic Weapon
Tests.
HMS
LOCK KILLISPORT
embarked first RM
Detachment to serve in
a Frigate.
1
9 5 7
Administration
1956
changes in officer
structure implemented.
Defence
Review to be carried
out by Duncan Sandys.
Eight
Work Study Teams to be
introduced.
NATO
Commanders warned of
threat posed by Soviet
submarines.
Naval
Weather Service
introduced.
Port
Auxiliary Service in
Royal Dockyards
re-organised.
Proposed
that future Fleet be
centred around Task
Groups including an
aircraft carrier.
Royal
Naval Volunteer
Reserve (RNVR)
abolished and all
Reservists to be
included in Royal
Naval Reserve (RNR).
Voluntary
Discharges.
Officers 162 out
of 198 applications;
Ratings
667 out of
1011applications.
Officers
Board
of Admiralty
composition changed.
5th Sea Lord to
be Deputy Chief of
Naval Staff.
Appointment
of Flag Officer Malay
merged with CinC
Far East Station
New
Entry numbers reduced.
1,750
officers to leave
within next 5 years.
Gratuity
of 6,000 for officers
of Captain rank.
Quarter
of Flag Officers to
be retired.
Review
to be made for award
of Degree Status to
Engineering Officers
after the satisfactory
completion of training
to Degree status at RN
Engineering College at
Manadon,
Plymouth.
Ratings
Redundancy
of 900 expected.
Bi-monthly
payments introduced
instead of
fortnightly. Caps to
be kept 'On’.
Centralised
Drafting procedures
introduced. To be
established at Lythe
Hill, Petersfield,
named as HMS
CENTURION.
Intake
during 1956/7
Financial Year to be
8,150 with 1,600
National Servicemen.
Recruiting
Booklet ‘In which we
serve" published.
*
NAVY NEWS article -
Uniform.
Upper
Yardmen training
syllabus widened.,
Ships
HM
Fleet Minesweeper
BRAMBLE sent to
investigate complaints
by British trawlers
about damage being
caused by Russian
trawlers.
HMS
BULWARK to be
replaced in Fleet by
HMS CENTAUR.
KING
GEORGE V Class
battleships to be
scrapped.
Type
277, New designs ONAR
Equipment in
production
RFA
strength to be
increased due to
lack of overseas
bases.
* SEASLUG Guided
Missile article in
NAVY NEWS.
HMS
SOLEBAY to be
brought forward at
Chatham in SLEEPING
BEAUTY exercise.
Teleprinters
now in extensive use
at sea
HMS
TRIUMPH conversion to
repair ship started
Use
of light fleet
aircraft carriers as
Commando Carriers
first hinted by
First Sea Lord.
HMS
WARRIOR sailed for use
a Squadron Flagship
during planned Nuclear
Weapon trails at
Christmas Island
in
Pacific Ocean
(Operation GRAPPLE).
Submarines
First
Nuclear Powered
submarine to be
named HMS
DREADNOUGHT.
PWR Type reactor at
Harwell went
'critical’.
Experimental
submarine HMS
EXCALIBUR (right -
Navy Photos) build
completed. HMS
EXPLORER achieved 25
knots submerged.
Search
operation carried out
for midget submarine
HMS SPRAT in Channel
after failure to
transmit surfaced
signal.
HMS
SIDON not to be
repaired and to be
sunk for use as A/S
target.
"SPRAT"
Class midget
submarines to be
Paid-off.
HMS
THOROUGH returned to
UK after service in
Far East.
Move
of 3rd Submarine
Squadron from Rothesay
to Faslane
planned for 1958.
Naval
Aviation
First
deliveries of British
produced WHIRLWIND
helicopter made.
‘Cross
Deck' operations
carried out with US
Navy carriers.
Interchange of
landings by Carriers
during joint
operation.
HMS
EAGLE to be modernised
when HMS VICTORIOUS
becomes available for
service.
HMS
OCEAN and HMS THESEUS
to be reduced to
Reserve status.
Royal
Navy Air Station NAS
NUTHATCH, Anthorn,
Cumbria, Receipt and
Despatch Depot,
Paid-off
RNVR
Air Squadrons
disbanded.
HMS
DAEDALUS, Gosport used
as Depot for Fleet Air
Arm ratings, merged
with RNAS Gosport
848
Squadron received
silver Kris from Chief
Minister, Malay for
support of military
operations.
Home
Station
CASTLE
Class Frigates to be
taken out of Reserve
and transferred to Air
Ministry Weather
Service to replace
FLOWER Class corvettes
for use as
Meteorological
reporting ships.
New
coastal Survey Ships of
ECHO Class
ordered.
HMS
Minesweeper GAVINGTON
towed for three miles
by FAA helicopter.
HMS
GRENVILLE carried out
first helicopter
trials by a RN
frigate.
*NAVY
NEWS article on HMS
HORNET, Gosport
closure. This
establishment was
first used in 1925 and
Paid-off in 1925 until
commissioned as MTB
base in 1939.
HMS
PHOENIX
, Hilsea,
Portsmouth Paid-off
and renamed NBCD
School. (Originally
RN Gas School at Tipner
and replaced Barons
Court, London as
Damage control
school in 1946.)
Reserve
fleet reductions in
continuation.
RNR
Communications centres
to be established in
UK for training of
Reserve Communications
personnel
Royal
visit to Fleet made at
Cromarty.
HMS
SOLEBAY commissioned
for service after
period in Reserve.
Torpedo
Experimental
Establishment (TEE),
Greenock closed.
HMS
ULSTER rescued
survivors and fought
fire in Greek
mercantile after being
in collision in
English Channel.
Victoria
Barracks, Southsea
returned to Army. Had
been used as
overflow for RN
Barracks in 1939 and
later for RN and
WRNS New Entries.
After
WW2 used for
Divisional training
of Upper Yardman and
also as Seamanship
and Cox'ns
School.
Two
Russian submarines
sighted off Scotland.
Foreign
Stations
America
and West Indies
Station closed.
Commodore appointed as
Administrative
Authority with office
at Bermuda
HMS
ARK ROYAL attended US
Naval Review in
Hampton Roads for
350th anniversary of
founding of Virginia.
Further
'Cross Deck' landings
carried out with USS
SARATOGA
HMS
BIRMINGHAM visited
Black Sea ports.
Strong protest made by
USSR. (No protests
were made by UK when
Russian submarines
passed through
Channel.)
British
Involvement in Suez
Canal clearance ended
when HMS KINGARTH left
Port Said.
HMS
DAINTY took stores to
aid survivors after
earthquake in Turkey.
Base
at Christmas Island to
be used during
GRAPPLE, named HMS
RESOLUTION. Anniversary
of discovery by
James Cook.
East
Indies and Far East
Stations to be closed
and merged as Far East
Station.
HM
Dockyard, Trincomalee
to be closed.
Exercises
with Turkish warships
brought protests from
USSR.
HM
Dockyard, Hong Kong to
be closed. Six Inshore
minesweepers to be
deployed at Hong Kong
based in HMS TAMAR.
Increase
in activities in
Persian Gulf after
revolt in Oman. RM
parties landed.
Increased
deployment of Russian
warships noted
worldwide.
HMS
MAIDSTONE and HMS
OCEAN visited Helsinki
and shadowed by
Russian ships.
HMS
NEWCASTLE bombarded
terrorist position at
Kota Tingli
river,
Malaya.
RN
aid provided after
floods in Ceylon. HMS
COCKADE brought stores
from Singapore
*.
Operation MUSKETEER
Article in NAVY NEWS
HM
Dockyard Simons Town
formally transferred
to South African Navy
after 143 years RN use
HMS
ULSTER took troops to
reinforce garrison at
Belize.
14
warships and
Auxiliaries deployed
for GRAPPLE Tests.
1
9 5 8
Administration
Boarding
School Allowances
payable.
*Article
on NAAFI in NAVY NEWS
2nd
Sea Lord's Visiting
Team to include a
Chief Yeoman of
Signals.
RNR
and RNVR Merger
completed
Sandys
Defence White Paper
published. Naval
manpower 112,000.
Target by 1962 is
84,000.
Proposed
Task Group concept for
Fleet dropped and
replacement by
Squadron concept using
destroyers and
frigates,
'NILHILL’
Report
recommendations on
Royal Dockyard to be
implemented.
Regulations
for wearing of Blue
Ensign changed.
Length
of New General Service
Commission extended to
24 months of which 9
will be overseas.
Cost
of maintaining ships
in Reserve and for
conversions criticised
in Parliamentary
Report. 157 ships
scrapped leaving about
200 in Reserve status,
GRIGG
Committee
recommendations on pay
and allowances
accepted. To be
reviewed every two
years. Rates of
Pensions will not be
subjected to 2 year
Review.
New
Naval Discipline Act
to come into effect on
1st January 1959
Officers
Flag
Officer appointments
to be reduced to 79,
12 of which will be at
sea
25%
of officers are now Ex
Ratings. In 1949 this
was 18%
1,000
redundancies out of
1,900 redundancies
applications have been
completed
702
applications have been
made for 79 Naval
Scholarships.
First
of the 18 year old
RNC cadet entries
now at sea.
Ratings
Only
20% of existing 7 Year
Re-engagements were
renewed.
All
950 redundancies to
have been made by
March 1959.
Half
of ships in the Fleet
reported to have
Bunks.
Communication
Ratings titles
changed. Leading Radio
Operator and Leading
Tactical Operator
instead of Leading Telegraphist
and Leading
Signalman
Intake
7,100 including Juniors
and Apprentices.
Ships
HMS
VANGUARD to be
scrapped.
*
Picture of new
Inflatable Liferaft
in NAVY NEWS.
Orders
for new AA Frigate
(HMS PANTHER) and new
AD Frigate (HMS
COVENTRY) cancelled.
To be replaced by
orders for LEANDER
Class Frigates.
Refit
of HMS VICTORIOUS
completed. Angled Deck
and new design CDS Air
Warning Radar fitted.
Cafeteria messing
system in use
HMS
EAGLE and HMS HERMES
(right - Navy
Photos)
to be fitted with
CDS Type Air Warning
Radar.
SEASLUG
Anti-Aircraft Guided
Weapon System trials
satisfactory and may
be converted for use
as a
Ship/Ship
weapon.
Last
Fleet exercise
without inclusion of
a Task Group.
HMS
GLORY,
HMS OCEAN and HMS THESEUS
to be scrapped.
HM
Boom Vessel BARCOMBE
ran aground in Loch Buie
after assisting HM
Submarine TACITURN.
HM
Sloop MODESTE returned
to UK after 6 years
continuous foreign
service,
Last
ISLES Class Trawler,
HMS STEEPHOLM
Paid-off.
Experience
with Type 14 Frigates
revealed hulls
required
strengthening.
HMS
CUMBERLAND Paid-off as
Trials Ship
SEACAT
Guided Missile fitted
in some frigates
displayed at
Farnborough Air Shaw
by manufacturer as
SX-A25
Submarines
HMS
TURPIN towed to UK
from West Indies after
main machinery defect.
This submarine had
been fitted with new
engines in 1957.
HMS
AUROCHS attacked by
unknown aircraft in
Pacific.
Submarine
Service Badge
introduced for all
qualified submarine
personnel
BIBS
Breathing System
introduced in
submarines for
emergency use.
Chief
Executive appointed to
supervise liaison with
Atomic Energy
Authority.
SPRAT
midget submarine
loaned to US Navy for
trials.
STICKLEBACK sold
to Sweden.
Naval
Aviation
RNAS
ANTHORN closed but to
be used by Federal
German Navy.
RNAS
Worthy Down and RN
Aircraft Repair Yard
at Donibristle,
Fife closed.
Londonderry
Anti-Submarine
helicopters to be
transferred to
Portland.
Helicopters
in HMS BULWARK to be
convertible by ships
staff for A/S use.
(This was never
achieved.)
Pilot
of SCIMITAR aircraft
trapped in cockpit
after landing attempt
on HMS VICTORIOUS, and
lost his life when
unable to escape.
Home
Station
Humber
RNR Division closed
except for
Communications Centre.
Fishery
Protection Office at
Hull closed and
transferred to HMS
LOCHINVAR at Port
Edgar. HMS LOCHINVAR
to be used as the Base
for Fishery Protection
Squadron except ships
deployed in Channel.
ALGERINE Class
Minesweepers in
Squadron to be
replaced by Type 14
Frigates.
Chatham
Gunnery School and Bartons
Point AA Range at Sheemess
closed.
Nore
Command to be closed.
*
Article in NAVY NEWS.
HMS CERES Supply
School to be
transferred from Wetherby
to Chatham Barracks.
National
Press publicity on
Ocean Weather Service
RNEC
at Manadon,
Plymouth commissioned
as HMS THUNDERER,
National
Press publicity on
Wreck Dispersal
operations.
Major
naval deployments made
in Iceland during
First 'Cod War’ with
Iceland to support of
Fishery Protection
Squadron.
New
design Minehunting
SONAR outfit Type 193
used to find SCIMITAR
aircraft from HMS
VICTORIOUS which
crashed in English
Channel.
Royal
Marines Arctic
training began in
Norway.
HMS
CHICHESTER rescued
crew of coaster CONCHA
off Milford Haven
before ship sank.
Foreign
Stations
Malaya
Emergency support in
continuation.
HMS
BURGHEAD BAY visited
Tristan da
Cunha, Gough Island
and Ngate
Island in South
Atlantic.
*
Article on Hong Kong
in NAVY NEWS.
Joint
Exercises in Atlantic
with RCN included RN
ships from West Indies.
HMS
ALERT with CinC
FES attended ceremony
in Japan to
commemorate founding
of Imperial Japanese
Navy.
HHS
BRITANNIA to be used
by HRH The
Duke of Edinburgh
during planned Far
East Tour.
HMS
CEYLON present at
Royal Review of RN
ships by King of
Jordan when British
forces left Aqaba.
RN
Rhine Squadron to be
Paid-off.
HMS
ULSTER helped to
restore power ashore
in Nassau, Bahamas.
HMS
ARK ROYAL prepared to
evacuate British
nationals from
Lebanon.
HMS
EAGLE provided cover
for trooping flight to
Amman.
HMS
BERMUDA carried RM
Commando to reinforce
Cyprus garrison. Other
RN deployments planned
HMS
BULWARK, HMS ST BRIDES
BAY and HMS LOCH
KILLISPORT carried out
major salvage
operation and tow
after tankers MELIKA
and FERNAND GILABERT
involved in collision
in Indian Ocean off
Qatar. Substantial
salvage awards were
paid in 1960.
East
Indies Station
abolished after 314
years.
HM
Dockyard in Malta to
be leased to C H
Bailey for use as a
commercial shipyard.
1
9 5 9
Administration
Manpower
details. Existing
88,000. New
Entries 8,250.
National
Servicemen 850.
Employed ashore
68,000, including
12,000 at Naval Air
Stations. Employed
at sea 40,000.
Redundancies
2,350 sinc
eintroduced.
Reorganisation
of Surface and
Underwater Weapon
Research
Establishments
completed. Surface
Weapons at Portsdown,
Portsmouth
and Underwater
Weapons at Portland.
10
Work Study Teams with
the Fleet and four to
be formed. School
of Work Study to be
set up at
Portsmouth.
Rules
for 'Loyal Toast'
procedure in naval
messes changed.
Parliamentary
criticism of costs of
refits and conversions
continued.
Offices
of Parliamentary and
Financial Secretary to
the Admiralty
abolished.
Procurement
of aircraft weapons
transferred from
Ministry of Supply to
Ministry of Aviation
Second
Sea Lord's visiting
Team established.
Defence
Courses provided for
Merchant Navy
personnel.
GRIGG
Report on Pensions
accepted.
Officers
Admiral
Lord Mountbatten
became Chief of the
Defence Staff
Establishment
of Flag Officer
appointments amended.
Now 81 instead of 79
to go
Opportunities
to be offered to
Seaman Officers to
spend 14 days on
board merchant
ships.
Chair
of Nuclear Technology
established at RN
College, Greenwich.
Provision
of Cambridge
University training
for General List
Electrical Officers to
be minimised in future
Future
Dartmouth entries
required to have a
minimum of 2 Passes at
‘A' Level and 3 at 'O'
Level GCE.
MURRAY
Review of Officer
Training to be
implemented In
September 1961.
Upper
Yardmen training to
be transferred from
HMS TEMERAIRE at
Port Edgar to RNC
Dartmouth in 1960.
Title
Engineer-in-Chief
changed to Chief Naval
Engineer.
Five
Year Supplementary
List Commission
introduced for
Helicopter pilots.
Ratings
Slight
increase in
re-engagements
reported. 50% from
previous 48%
Ships
HMS
KENYA and HMS
JAMAICA to be
scrapped.
HMS
SUPERB Placed on Sales
List.
HMS
TIGER (right -
Navy Photos) began
sea trials. Evidence
found of poor design
of steam pipe-work.
HMS
LION and HMS BLAKE to
complete in 1960
First
Type 81, ‘TRIBAL’
Class Frigate laid
down.
New
Flag Officer Portland
for Sea Training
appointed (FOST)
Radar
Data Processing
system being developed
for Ship Weapons
system management
Arbitrary
cuts made in manning
of HMS EAGLE as an
experiment following
Work Study.
HMS
VICTORIOUS
demonstrated new CDS
radar to US Navy at
Norfolk, Va.
Costs
of Modernisation
being questioned.
HMS
BURGHEAD BAY and HMS
BIGBURY BAY sold to
Portugal
SEACAT
Guided Weapon trials
being planned.
Submarlnes
HMS
TIRELESS had to return
from Joint
Home/Mediterranean
Fleet Spring Exercises
because
of machinery defects.(
See HMS TURPIN 1958)
Queens
Colour awarded to
Submarine Service.
American
design nuclear
propulsion plant to
be used in HMS
DREADNOUGHT.
Training of crews for
nuclear submarines
began in USA.
HMS
DREADNOUGHT keel laid
down. Delays
introduced by
industrial problems in
shipyard.
10th
Submarine Squadron
formed for service in
Far East.
AFD59
laid down at
Portsmouth for use by
nuclear submarines.
First
PORPOISE Class
submarine – HMSO BERON
laid dawn at Chatham.
Naval
Aviation
Details
of trials on new
ejector seat which
will operate
underwater announced.
New
FIRESTREAK Air to Air
Missile trials carried
cut in HMS VICTORIOUS.
RNAS
Portland opened for
support of Sea
Training. First
military helicopter
airfield in Britain.
Crew
of crashed SKYRAIDER
aircraft rescued off
Norway by Russian
trawler.
RNAS
Gosport renamed HMS
ARIEL. HMS
DAEDALUS retained for
use of Flag Officer
(Air).
GANNET
aircraft to replace
SKYRAIDERS.
Saunders-Roe
helicopter order
placed. Later
developed as WASP.
First
Front Line Squadron of
SEA VIXEN aircraft
formed.
Home
Station
'Cod
War’ deployments by
Home Fleet ships in
continuation.
.Engineering,
Medical and Dental
help given to
British trawlers.
Some clashes with
Icelandic gunboats and
collision between HMS
CHAPLET and Icelandic
ODIN. 40 RN ships
deployed during first
year of confrontation.
Russian
trawlers agreed to pay
compensation for
damage to UK
fishermen's nets after
intervention by
Fishery Protection
ship.
HMS
BERMUDA visited
Greenland.
HMS
CENTAUR and RFA WAVE
VICTOR in 'Near
Miss' incident
during RAS in Bay of
Biscay.
HMS
BARNARD grounded off
Scotland.
Hovercraft
demonstration by
Saunders-Roe to RN
and foreign naval
representatives.
Battle
of the Atlantic
Service held in
Liverpool Cathedral
Last
refit in Sheerness
Dockyard completed on
HMS LOCH LOMOND
Extensive
salvage operation in
St Georges Channel
to recover the
wreckage from RAF
VICTOR aircraft.
HMS
BULWARK conversion
for use as a
Commando Carrier
delayed by Suez
Crisis.
HMS
SOBERTON intervened in
dispute between
British and Russian
trawlers.
Foreign
Stations
Commodore
(Cyprus) appointed to
replace Flag Officer
(Middle East) for
administration of nav
responsibilities
during emergency.
HMS
BRITANNIA embarked HRH
The Duke of Edinburgh
for Far East visits
including to personnel
at Christmas Island for
"GRAPPLE"
test operations. On
return HMS BRITANNIA
used for Royal Visit
to Canada to open St
Lawrence HIghway.
HMS
SALISBURY visited
Cleveland, Ohio and
was first RN warship
on Lake Eerie since
1812.
HMS
BIRMINGHAM and HMS
DELIGHT involved in
collision in
Mediterranean.
Two ratings died
during Damage Control
activities.
HMS
MAXTON rammed by
Frigate off Malta.
HMS
ALBION grounded in
Plate Estuary
HMS
HOGUE scrapped after
being involved in
collision with Indian
Cruiser MYSORE (ex-HMS
NIGERIA) during CENTO
exercise in Indian
Ocean.
Coastal
Minesweeper Squadron
re-deployed from
Mediterranean to
Singapore.
1
9 6 0
Administration
AUWE
established at
Portland as part of
Weapons Department in
place of UWE.
Cost
of SEASLUG weapon
System development and
financial control
criticised in
Parliament.
Competitive
tendering to b» used
for build of all
ships above Frigate
size.
Expense
of having Admiralty
departments sited in
both Bath and London
criticised.
Editor
of NAVY NEWS to be
appointed by
Admiralty.
Flag
Officer Reserve Fleet
to be replaced by
Reserve Ships
Authority.
Manpower
total 102,000.
Modifications
to gunnery equipment
in HMS TIGER and HMS
LION needed after
trials problems.
POLARIS
and SKYBOLT systems
controversy not
resolved.
Second
Sea Lord's department
re-organised with
separate Directors
introduced for
Training, Manpower,
Personnel Services and
Officer Appointments.
14
Work Study teams
operating.
Agreement
reached with RAF over
operational control of
maritime aircraft.
Officers
Retiring
Age for Captains fixed
at 55 and at 53 for
Commanders.
General
List Electrical and
Engineering
Specialisations
combined into one
List.
New
Short Service
Commission introduced
in Seaman Branch for
educationally
qualified ratings.
Numbers
of applications for
18 year Entry to
Dartmouth falling
off.
Five
Year Supplementary
List Commissions in
use for Helicopter
Pilots.
Ratings
Mechanician
apprentice training
scheme introduced for
Fleet Ait Arm ratings.
Re-engagement
rate of 65%, highest
since 1936.
Upper
Yardman to have 2
year course at RNC
Dartmouth to prepare
for 'A' Level Exams.
Ships
Accommodation
standards criticised
in Parliament.
Canadian
Variable Depth SONAR
equipment to be
adopted by RN In
place of a British
design which had
been tested in HMS
BROCKLESBY.
Delays
in developing NAPIER
DELTIC engines as
replacement for
MIRLEES type used in
CMS (coastal
minesweepers). Only 46
have been fitted with
new type of engine.
Laying
of SOSUS System to
detect passage of
submarines begun in
Atlantic by USA.
Production
order placed for
SEASLUG missiles.
First
SEACAT anti-aircraft
guided missile trials
carried out in HMS
DECOY (right -
Navy Photos).
US
Underwater Test Range
(AUTEC) established In
Bahamas and to be used
by RN.
HMS
ALBION to be
converted for use as
a Commando Carrier.
HMS
BULWARK commissioned
as a Commando Carrier.
Design
details of Assault
Ships HMS FEARLESS and
HMS INTREPID
announced.
Modernisation
of HM Support Ship
HARTLAND POINT
completed.
HMS
SHOULTON demonstrated
new Mine Hunting SONAR
Type 193 to US Navy.
HMS
ULSTER assisted in
relief operations In
Jamaica, Anguilla and
Barbuda.
HMS
VANGUARD grounded off
Portsmouth during
passage to breaker's
yard
First
Guided Missile
Destroyer HMS
DEVONSHIRE launched.
Seven
modern Tankers
chartered for use as RFAs.
Six
BATTLE Class
destroyers to be
scrapped.
HMS
SWIFTSURE scrapped
after expenditure of
£3.5M on refit work.
Submarines
Training
of Nuclear Monitoring
Teams began in HMS
COLLINGWOOD.
HMS
DREADNOUGHT launched
by HM Queen at Barrow.
Delivery of machinery
commenced.
US
Navy POLARIS
submarines to operate
from Holy Loch.
First
nuclear powered fleet
submarine HMS VALIANT
ordered.
Naval
Aviation
HMS
ARK ROYAL carried out
trials on new Deck
Landing equipment to
replace Mirror Sight.
(See 1961)
GANNET
Air Early Warning
aircraft replaced
SKYRAIDER aircraft
Rescue
of crew of Greek ARGO
DELOS off Donegal by
helicopters from RNAS
Ellington.
US
Strop Recovery
equipment to be used
In HMS VICTORIOUS.
BUCCANEER
aircraft deck landing
trials carried out in
HMS VICTORIOUS.
Production order
placed.
SEA
VIXEN aircraft joined
HMS ARK ROYAL.
WASP
Helicopter trials
carried out for use in
anti-submarine
frigate.
Home
Station
CinC
Home Fleet
headquarters
transferred ashore to
Northwood, Middlesex.
'Cod'
War settlement with
Iceland reached and
British trawlers to
keep outside 12 mile
Limit. Isolated
Incidents continued.
NATO
Fuel Depot to be sited
at Loch Ewe.
Extensive
search carried out in
St George's Channel
for wreckage of
crashed RAF VICTOR
aircraft. Research
Ship RRS SHACKLETON
joined RN operations
and carried out survey
of area.
Conversion
of more BATTLE Class
Destroyers for use as
Radar Pickets not
carried out due to
cost.
Modernisation
of HMS SWIFTSURE
stopped and ship
scrapped.
RN
W/T Station at Forest
Moor, Yorkshire opened
and replaced station
at Flowerdown,
Hants.
Russian
seaman found on board
coastal minesweeper at
Leith.
Sabotage
reported in HMS DAINTY
and HMS BATTLEAXE. Machinery
on board HMS JAGUAR
sabotaged during
build and shipyard
labour suspected.
HM
Dockyard Sheerness
closed.
HMS
PLOVER carried out
trials on new
inflatable life raft
in Weymouth Bay,
HMS
SCOTT deployed for
special survey to
ensure adequate depth
of water available for
large tankers over
wrecks in navigable
channels
Foreign
Stations
George
Medal awarded to Fleet
Bomb and Mine Disposal
Officer, Far East
Station for removal of
warheads from wreck
of
Japanese submarine.
Ship
and aircraft
deployments in Cyprus
continued.
Salvage
of Norwegian tanker
POLYANA in Persian
Gulf by HMS DALRYMPLE,
HMS LOCH RUTHVEN and
HMS
BASTION.
HMS
BRITANNIA with HRH
Princess Margaret
embarked visited West
Indies.
HMS
APOLLO visited
Leningrad.
HMS
GAMBIA embarked
medical stores and
provided aid after
cyclone disaster in
Mauritius.
HMS
FISKERTON rescued crew
of wrecked US
mercantile near
Singapore.
HMS
LEOPARD sailed 1,144
miles up the River
Amazon to Godajas.
HMS
OWEN landed party on
St. Paul’s Rock in
Atlantic during
extensive
oceanographic survey.
HMS
SURPRISE embarked
Papal Legate at Naples
for passage to Malta
for a religious
ceremony.
HMS
TYNE and HMS DARLASTON
delivered relief
stores after
earthquake at Agadir.
