A group of members had the good fortune to attend an Affiliates Day on board HMS Daring at Portsmouth Naval Dock on 18th June. This was organised by the ship as a way of fostering links with the many organisations who have an Affiliate relationship with her, including CLYC. We found ourselves on board of the Worshipful Companies of Carpenters and Pewterers, the City of Leicester, the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Royal Dragoon Guards.
HMS Daring has had a complex history. The first of the Type 45 Destroyers, she was launched in 2006 and saw service in the Gulf and the Pacific. Laid up in 2017, she was due for a refit, which for reasons presumably understood in the Ministry of Defence have continued to this day! She is, at last, due to return to service later this year, and we were struck by the commitment and determination of her Officers and Crew to make this happen.
The hospitality on board was wonderful. We were greeted by the Commanding Officer, Cdr Hazelwood, and were shown round in small groups . We saw everything from the state-of-the-art weapons systems and operations room, to the Captain’s cabin (with a fine table donated by the Carpenters), and the surprisingly small bridge, complete with a Sextant to avoid dependence on GPS. We were treated to a fine lunch prepared by the catering team on board, before finishing our tour, and being escorted off the base.
The day finished with dinner for Affiliate Principals with the Captain and Officers, at which we were represented by Past-Commodore, William Avery. We look forward to returning HMS Daring’s Hospitality at a future CLYC Dinner.
Members attending the event were Immediate Past Admiral Anthony Morrow, Immediate Past Commodore William Avery, Vice Commodore Mike Lloyd, Michael Bithell, Christine McGee, William Mellstrom, John Sparshatt-Worley, Hugh Tinsley and Keith Williams.