Diamond jubliation in Aberdeen this weekend

THERE’S some sparkle in the Granite City this weekend as her own warship sails in.

Brand-new £1bn destroyer HMS Diamond sails into Aberdeen for her inaugural visit, taking a break from extensive trials.

Although some of the ship’s company have already forged ties with the Scottish city – and have paid a few visits – the Type 45 destroyer has not.

Trials off the Scottish coast (including some work with the Sea Kings of HMS Gannet) have finally afforded the chance for Diamond herself to drop in on Aberdeen...

...which she’ll be doing tomorrow morning at the city’s Clipper Quay.

The ship will remain there over the weekend, opening up her upper deck to visitors between 1pm and 4.30pm on Saturday, allowing the public to see a little of the hi-tech wizardry which makes her Britain’s most advanced warship – and to chat to the ship’s company without whom that wizardry would count for nought.

As well as the general public, the ship is hosting three local Sea Cadet units, TS Scylla, Gowanlea and Bon Accord, and putting on a capability demonstration (minus firing her main armament obviously...) for Aberdeen’s movers and shakers.

In turn Aberdonians, led by the city’s Lord Provost Peter Stephen, are holding a celebratory dinner at the Beach Ballroom for the ship’s company.

Diamond will be alongside in the harbour until 9am on Monday when she resumes her extensive trials.

A stern shot of HMS Diamond on trials last week off Plymouth - as seen from HMS Monmouth. Picture: LA(Phot) Stu Hill

Oscar winning Sir Ben seeks inspiration at HMS Raleigh

ONE of Britain’s greatest actors spent a day at HMS Raleigh as he sought inspiration for a film.

Oscar-winner Sir Ben Kingsley is looking into a Great War project – and was keen to see one of the Torpoint establishment’s most prized possessions to assist his research.

A century ago boy seaman John Travers Cornwell became one of the country’s most celebrated naval heroes and earned a posthumous Victoria Cross for his actions at Jutland in 1916.

The 16-year-old continued to serve at his post aboard HMS Chester despite his gun receiving four direct hits; when the cruiser withdrew from the battle, Cornwell finally received treatment but succumbed to his wounds in hospital in Grimsby two days after the battle.

Although he was originally laid to rest in a common grave in a London cemetery, news of his bravery spread, and a popular clamour for recognition led to Cornwell being re-buried with full military honours, the VC being awarded and court painter Frank Salisbury honouring the boy’s deeds on canvas.

Ninety-five years later that recently-restored painting enjoys pride of place in St Paul’s Church at Raleigh.

The training establishment’s Commanding Officer Capt Steve Murdoch explained how today’s young sailors learn about Cornwell’s dedication and bravery – and hopefully can draw some inspiration from his deeds.

“Jack was just 16 years old when he took part in the battle – and only four weeks out of training.

“As he’s close in age and experience to many of today’s recruits, he’s someone they can identify with – and he’s a fine example of someone who displayed all of the Royal Navy’s values of courage, commitment, discipline, respect and integrity.”

Having spent time in the ‘presence’ of Boy Cornwell, Sir Ben, who won an Oscar for his portrayal of Gandhi nearly 30 years ago and has appeared in a string of critically-acclaimed movies including Schindler’s List and the House of Sand and Fog, toured Raleigh’s new heritage centre and witnessed a passing out parade of rookie sailors who’d completed their nine-week basic training.

“The parade and the emotional scenes of pride and achievement will stay with me for a long time,” said Sir Ben.

“The pride and dignity of the recruits – and their friends and relatives – was an indelible image. All this heightened by awareness of Jack Cornwell’s extraordinary courage and sense of duty.”

Capt Steve Murdoch shows Sir Ben Kingsley around Raleigh's new heritage centre. Picture: Dave Sherfield, HMS Raleigh

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Disturbing Anti-Piracy Tactics Revealed By WikiLeaks- Human Bait

British special forces veterans are in particular demand as ship guards because owners believe the Royal Navy will intervene to rescue them – and free their vessels – in the event of a hijacking.

The revelation will increase concerns that the Royal Navy is being forced to act as an international police force because other navies are failing to pull their weight off the Horn of Africa.

The US was alerted to the tactic in a cable sent from the American embassy in Tokyo in June 2009, which reported on loopholes in the security cover provided by Japan’s Self-Defense Forces to ships carrying Japanese cargo through waters off Somalia. Because only two escort ships were available, some cargo firms instead employed “services offered by a British crisis consultant firm” to protect their vessels.

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HMS Albion and HMS Sutherland charged with protecting the flagship

BEING put through their paces right now off Plymouth are the nation’s flagship and her trusty escort as they prepare for the Navy’s headline deployment of 2011.

In April HMS Albion will lead the Cougar task group, an amphibious force heading to the Mediterranean and east of Suez to work with the UK’s allies.

At her side will be HMS Sutherland, charged with protecting the flagship from attacks by air and sea... not entirely unlike 2010.

Last year the Type 23 headed to the USA with Ark Royal and Albion as escort. Ark, sadly, has passed into history. The assault ship has not – and she needs safeguarding.

Just in case any skills have faded aboard the Albion and Sutherland since they returned from the United States in August, they’ve been given some ‘top-up training’ (the official term is Directed Continuation Training) courtesy of the team at FOST...

...which basically entails fire, flood, battle damage, some dodgy pirates, the odd missile attack, a few fast patrol boats, screaming Hawks, screaming PWOs. You get the picture.

Not that Sutherland’s passive in all this. She’s also let loose with her upper deck guns. And the crowdpleaser (also known as the 4.5in main gun).

4.5in main gun. And the upper deck guns.

“The scenarios played out whilst conducting sea training are extremely credible and it takes little imagination to realise what is at stake,” says Sutherland’s CO Cdr Roger Readwin.

“I have never been more aware that individually we are strong but collectively we represent a formidable force which is able to reassure and protect, in order to maintain peace and security where our future operations takes us.”