I joined HMS Brave in Devonport Dockyard, Plymouth on Sunday, November 12th, 1995 to undertake my RNR two weeks continuous training. Brave was about to deploy as West Indies Guardship (WIGS), relieving HMS Southampton.
After stopping at Ponta Delgada in the Azores to refuel, Brave arrived in Bermuda on Saturday, November 25th. Brave was one the very best ships I ever served on. I learnt a lot and walked away with an outstanding write-up, the best an RS could ever have hoped for!
Alongside in HMNB Devonport, Plymouth.
Type 22 Frigates
HMS Northumberland (F238)
HMS Birmingham (D86)
HMS Liverpool (D92)
HMS Argyll (F231)
HMS Northumberland (Type 23 Frigate) built in 1991, is still in service.
HMS Birmingham (Batch I Type 42 Destroyer), built in 1972 and sold for scrappage in 2000.
HMS Liverpool (Batch I Type 42 Destroyer), built in 1978 and sold for scrappage in 2014.
HMS Argyll (Type 23 Frigate), built in 1987, is still in service.
Ponta Delgada , Azores
FS Jeanne D'arc
Our arrival in Ponta Delgada coincided with that of the French Naval vessel FS Jeanne D'Arc, who also stopped to refuel before making passage to New York.
Jeanne D'Arc was built in 1959 as a helicopter carrier. Decommissioned and scrapped in 2010.
Departing the Azores
(At 28 knots)
Rendezvous with HMS Southampton
Southampton's Westland Lynx Helicopter
HMS Southampton
HMS Southampton (D90) was a Batch II Type 42 Destroyer. Built in 1976, was decommissioned in 2009 and sold for scrappage in 2011.
Bermuda
HMS Brave moored in Hamilton, Bermuda.
