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Capetown Departure
Having left Cape Town after what was for some an opportunity to recharge their batteries, and others an exhausting 2 weeks, we had a weeks passage to St Helena. We used the time to conduct some training serials including a whole ship emergency stations to tackle a ‘fire’ in the forward hold. This went extremely well and was an opportunity for all those who had joined us in Cape Town to practice their roles in the ships damage control structure. We also had a short detour up to the Namibian coast to fly a casevac off in the helo.
Emergency Stations
It wasn’t all work, and the Wednesday afternoon provided an opportunity to stretch our legs after the culinary excesses of Cape Town. LPT Tate organised a route over a number of obstacles from the focs’le to the bridge roof for teams of 4 carrying a log to race the clock over. Teams entered from all departments and everyone had a very entertaining time. For those on watch on the bridge it sounded suspiciously like the proverbial herd of elephants were stampeding above them! Somewhat unsurprisingly the Royal Marine team as one of the Executive department teams won the event.
Eventual winners of the assualt course
The Wardroom organised the last quarterdeck BBQ of the deployment on the Thursday, which was followed by the ships raffle. Most of us have been contributing to the raffle on a monthly basis over the deployment, and extra tickets have been on sale at most of the social events we have organised. There were 49 prizes ranging from £500 cash (won by POAEM Holmes), televisions and DVD players to his and her matching watches and playstation games. In the traditional manner most of us won nothing and a few lucky individuals won several times, but it was a good evening enjoyed by all involved, winners and non winners alike!
CO collects a prize during the raffle
Sunday morning saw the Island of St Helena looming over the horizon. A rather barren looking lump of volcanic rock St Helena is often referred to as an ‘emerald set in bronze’. This reflects the lush green nature of the interior of the island that is totally invisible from the sea. Once at anchor the Captain called on HE the Governor of St Helena, at Plantation house, where he and the MO had the opportunity to meet Jonathon (the 170 year old giant tortoise) and his harem. The FCO tasking for St Helena was to take aerial photos of their coastal fortifications and historic sites and the lynx departed to do just this after the call on the Governor. Sunday afternoon saw leave granted and a number of personnel set off to explore the Diana’s peak national park, a beautiful hilly area perfect for walking. The cocktail party on board that evening was attended by a number of St Helenian parents whose sons were in the RN and who thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity for contact with a naval ship. The next day was busy with trips up to see Napoleons House Longwood, and his tomb. Brought to the Island in 1815 as a secure prison he resided there until his death in 1821 from what some say was hepatitis and others say was arsenic poisoning. He was buried on the Island, but in 1840 his body was exhumed and returned to France.
St Helena
There was also the opportunity for ENDURANCE’s cricket team to play against the St Helenians. Only the second time we have played this deployment we were unfortunate to lose . 4 golfers also had the opportunity for a match, on a high course with stunning views of the island. Some of the divers on board had the opportunity to explore the crystal waters, and the fishermen on board had a field day, catching an abundance of mackerel, red snapper, wrasse and trigger fish from the focsle whilst at anchor. PO Holmes, one of the keener fishermen amongst the ships company has a good record of success, having caught a 70 kg tuna in Cape Town! The visit concluded with a reception held ashore by the Governor for the Ships company. Attended in rig it was an enjoyable evening and an opportunity to meet the locals. On Tuesday morning, the visit completed, the ship pulled up its anchor and set sail for Ascension.
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