28
NAVY NEWS, JULY 1993
Options
HMS TAMAR MOVES TO STONECUTTERS ISLAND
1
last to be a precious stone OVER 150 years of Royal Navy tradition ended on Hong Kong Island when the White Ensign was lowered for the last time at HMS Tamar in Central on 17 May. The emotional ceremony came at the end of a busy week which saw the Captain-in-Charge, Captain Tom Sunter, host a number of distinguished visitors, including the former Prime Minister, Baroness Thatcher. It was on January 25 1841 that Sir Edward Belcher, Command-
ing Officer of HMS Sulphur, landed on Hong Kong Island at a place now known as Possession Point. 1878 saw the first visit of a ship bearing the name HMS Tamar. This 3,650-ton ship was the fourth to bear the name and spent nearly 20 years plying the waters of the Indian Ocean before her final return to Hong Kong in 1897 when she became the receiving ship and administrative base for the Royal Navy there. The HMS Tamar that became the focal point of Central was
ANYONE FOR POLO?
commissioned in 1946 when the Army transferred Wellington Barracks to the Navy. The compact modern naval base began to take shape in 1959 following the closure of the Royal Dockyard and the present facilities — which now bear the name Prince of Wales Barracks — were completed at the end of 1979. Work began on the new HMS Tamar on Stonecutters Island in 1991, offering a modern and comprehensive maintenance and support facility to the three ships of the Hong Kong Squadron and other attached craft to ensure that the Royal Navy can carry out its role in the Territory before withdrawal in 1997. The Navy has not severed all its connections with the old Central site. Almost a quarter of the naval complement will remain at the Prince of Wales Barracks running the catering and accommodation services, the medical and dental centres and the gymnasium and sports facilities. • Left: Naval Divisions for the opening of the new HMS Tamar on Stonecutters Island, inspected by Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff Rear Admiral Peter Abbott. • Below: Mrs Margaret Sunter, wife of the Captain-in-Charge, cuts the commissioning cake with the youngest recruit, 17-yearold Cook Lo Kwai Hun.
Arrow remembers Ardent & Antelope ELEVEN years to the day after the successful landings at San Carlos bay in the Falkland Islands, HMS Arrow led a small convoy of ships back to San Carlos for the annual Remembrance Service. It will be the last time that a Type 21 frigate will be there to pay tribute to those who fell in 1982. The Arrow assumed the duties of Falkland Islands guardship for the fifth time from her sister ship HMS Avenger on 7 May, having paid courtesy visits to Salvador in Brazil and Montevideo in Uruguay on route. Wreaths were laid by His Excellency the Governor of the Falkland Islands, the Com-
The ever popular classic Polo shirt. 100% Cotton in four exciting colours. Sizes available for children and adults.
ADULTS (LOOSE FIT) 100% COTTON RED, NAVY, JADE, BLACK Sizes: Med, Large, Ex-Large (RED & BLACK ALSO AVAIL. SLIM FIT)
TODDLERS POLY/COTTON MIX WHITE, MINT, SKY, BABY PINK Sizes: Smll 18" Med 20" Lge 22"
Send Cheque/P.O. (stating size and colour clearly) to:
The Business Manager Navy News, HMS Nelson Queen Street, Portsmouth PO13HH Cheques payable to: Navy News For orders from outside U.K. payment is to be made by cheque/International Money Order in £ sterling Prices include postage for U.K. and surface mail abroad AIRMAIL ONLY Please add £2 Adult 50p Toddler
mander of the British Forces, Rear Admiral Neil Rankin CBE and representatives of the three Services. A wreath was also laid on behalf of the Ardent Association. A further service was held onboard Arrow and a wreath was laid over where HMS Antelope lies on behalf of RNA Hereford, who were associated with that ship. Arrow hands over her duties to another old lady, HMS Scylla this month and then begins the long return journey to Plymouth, arriving in early August. • HMS Arrow south of Uruguay en route to the Falkland Islands just prior to her handover from HMS Avenger.