by John "Ossie" Austin
Our party was twenty strong including the ladies and we arranged to meet up at the Dockyard Gate at 11.45, most of us made it on time and we were all in place for the actual ceremony. Walking through the yard with the thousands of invited guests reminded me of Navy Days and the atmosphere was very similar, (loads of kids, balloons and flags).
The Daring was sitting on the slipway in the covered ship-hall with a paint job that put Jenny’s side party to shame, I’m sure the hull was polished, and what a hull, she’s the size of a cruiser!! Despite being fabricated in three shipyards and assembled at Scotstoun I am pleased to report that you couldn’t see the join and there was no sign of masking tape!!.
The first surprise was to find that ex Darings had a special seated enclosure less than 30 feet from the hull, a prime viewing spot. We also met up with fifty crew from the D05 first commission and very smart they looked with Daring blazer badges, ties etc. We were interviewed, filmed and generally treated as the honoured guests, some will be part school projects that’s for sure.
We were then treated to a display by a Navy Lynx and a patrol boat with lots of rigid raiders dashing about the Clyde, while we couldn’t see the whole display “live” we were able to see most of it on a giant TV screen along with film of the construction of the D32.
A guard of Sea Cadets and a Royal Marine Band marched in and at 14.00 the dignitaries started to arrive and take their places on the special viewing platform at the bows. Lots of scrambled egg and gold chains in evidence. Then HRH Sophie, Countess of Wessex, arrived (on foot) to perform the launch.
A short service of Blessing was conducted by the Chaplin of the Fleet followed by the National Anthem and then a speech by the Chairman of BAE making a pitch for a further two ships of the class to be ordered, (six are on the books so far). The Chairman then called on HRH to launch the Daring. The Champers bottle broke first time, (always a good omen), then nothing, the Daring didn’t move, she was stuck fast to the slip!!
I know the water was cold but this reluctance to get wet certainly increased the suspense factor, everyone was looking around to see what would happen next. The Countess was up to the job though, two hands on the bow and a good solid push and the Daring started to slide into the water. The noise of the drag chains and the cheering of the crowd were overwhelming in the ship shed. As the river is only 12 meters wider than the ship is long the tugs and chains had to pull Daring up in a very short distance to prevent her ending in the multi storied car park opposite, needless to say it was a perfect launch. HRH then did a little walk about and met our ancient mariners in their enclosure.
Our second surprise was the invitation to the dance at the Hilton Hotel in the evening, free food and drink courtesey of BAE. This was a chance to meet the D32 crew and chat about the ship. I was able to find out what the whip aerials on the Sampson radar (the Darleks of earlier newsletters). It seems they are lightning conductors, and a decision on windmills or fairy lights for “dress ship” has not yet been taken.
I must put on record my thanks to several people, Jan Allan of BAE Systems who was our contact person and arranged our enclosure for the launch and the evening activities. Cdr. David Shutts, who is Senior Naval Officer HMS Daring, who made us so welcome and wants to forge ties with ex-Darings and the new ship. Mike Lennox and his wife for doing the VIP bit on our behalf , they had attended the reception and lunch. Finally to Maureen McIver for her translations of the local language and her capture of a waitress who was (persuaded!!,) to serve our table all evening, ensuring we didn’t have to remember what we all wanted to drink.
Did we have a good time? Try the following conversation at breakfast the next morning at our hotel.
What time did you get in last night?
I came back with you in the taxi!.
Did you, I don’t remember?
We all went to the Chippy for Haggis and chips before getting back to the hotel!
Oh, did we?.
I must have had a Senior moment!!
No names no pack drill!.
I enjoyed my day out, it was a “Daring family” occasion and I think it’s a sign of a “happy” ship for the future.
HOMEWARD
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