Two Grand Ladies of the Sea
At a time when the QE2 will be berthed at the Ocean Terminal, another grand lady of the sea will be berthed in the Naval Base. HMS Ark Royal arrives for a short visit in time to be the focal point for the British Forces’ Open Day and for the Remembrance Day service on Sunday. HMS Ark Royal was formally accepted into RN service in July 1985 whilst the QE2, the Cunard Line’s longest-serving ocean liner, made her maiden voyage in 1969.
HMS Ark Royal has just completed Exercise Joint Warrior off the North of Scotland, where she acted as the flagship in a multinational task group which included 3 destroyers, 5 frigates and 2 re-fuelling tankers.
When she leaves Gibraltar, Ark Royal proceeds to sea to take part in an Anti Submarine Warfare Exercise with other UK units and later this month the ship will pay a Port Visit to Lisbon before returning to Portsmouth for Xmas leave.
Ark Royal is larger than her two sisters, Invincible and Illustrious, at 210 metres (683 feet) in length. She has a maximum beam of 36 metres (117 feet) and a displacement of 20,000 tonnes. Four Olympus engines propel the ship and give a maximum speed in excess of 30 knots. A steeper ski jump than in the other ships of this class is fitted at the forward end of the flight deck.
Typhoons
Following last week’s announcement, we can confirm that two Typhoons from 3 Squadron RAF will definitely be here in time for the Open Day. The aircraft will arrive on Friday afternoon and will leave on Monday morning.
Open Day
Everyone is invited to the British Forces Gibraltar Open Day to be held at the Naval Base from 11 am till 4.30 pm on Saturday 8th November. HMS Ark Royal will be open to visitors, Merlin helicopters of 820 Squadron will give a flying display, there will be rides around the harbour on a GSP launch, a display by the RAF Dog unit, paintball target shooting – and many other attractions. Entrance to the event, which is supported by the Gibraltar Rotary Club and sponsored by Gibmaroc, is free!
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