T.S.Royalist

On Holiday, in Weymouth, I watched a Tall Ship sail into harbour - T.S.Royalist.
I never sailed on her, but saw her a few times and know a few cadets that did go to sea.

Sailing at Hollingworth Lake

Hollingworth Lake

I went on my only Sailing course (April 89) - 1 of the Days there were strong winds, meaning we could not go Sailing. So the kids all went out in Canoes. While on the water, the weather changed drastically to Gale Force.
Nobody could stay upright, so they all had to get out. I had gone out in a Motor Powered Boat, and spent about an hour rescuing the kids from the Water (Obviously they all had life jackets on, but they were being blown across the lake) Most of the canoes were smashed on the Rocks at the far end of the lake.

At the end of the week, when it was time for my Sailing exam - there was no wind at all, I could only manage a Token "Lowest Grade" Qualification.

That week was most memorable for the Weather - I managed to get this shot one evening.

H.M.S.Ambuscade

Crewe Unit was Affiliated to H.M.S.Ambuscade (hence T.S.Ambuscade - T.S. is Training Ship)
We kept close ties with the ship and had many visits and even trips on her. August 1984 we helped at Navy Days at Devonport, and in June 1984 several of us sailed on her, from Portsmouth to Lowestoft...
On that trip we were followed out of Portsmouth by HMS Jupiter, but she was soon left behind when the Ambuscade went to full speed (Type 21's were among the fastest ships in the world at the time and was fast enough to Waterski)
The following day, she answered a Mayday from a Tall Ship stuck on the Goodwin sands where the Crew assisted an RAF Wessex Helicopter, and to top the trip as we were entering Lowestoft Harbour we were treated to a Red Arrow flyby.
The big news on the TV that night, however was that HMS Jupiter had crashed into London Bridge.


On occasions some of the Ship's crew were invited to the Unit, and quite often were involved in fund raising for us.
The H.M.S. Ambuscade Association, has a wealth of info about the ship and her History