When HMS Chatham was Commissioned at Chatham ,our Son was a Stoker on the maiden crew. We were allocated 4 Tickets for the Day. Issued with souvenir Book listing all the crew names and data about the ship.
Watched the Commissioning .Then had a tour of the Ship followed by an excellent reception and Buffet at the Black Lion laid on by Medway Council. Thanet Catering College did the Buffet and provide the Waiting and Bar Staff. Lovely time was had by all family's that attended.
A couple of years later as, crew member Parents, we were invited to a Ships open day at Plymouth ,where we spent 4 hours on board HMS Chatham. She had just taken all the Gulf Patrol Gear on board ready to deploy the following week. After lunch in the Messes on board she and HMS Broadsword cast off and headed out onto the sound.
All families on board both were ordered off the Helicopter Deck at the aft .
The Ships then lined up about 300yds apart and when a circling Lynx Helicopter fired a Green Very Flare the race started.
All engines were engaged in what was called Cogagand (2 Olympus and 2 Tynes all geared together to drive the 2 Screws.)
The 2 Frigates sped up to maximum speed in minutes. The wash was tremendous coming right up over the aft Heli Deck.
As Broadsword was lighter at the time she won the race by a short head(end signaled by red from Lynx.)
Then back ashore for tea and wads in the NAAFI (recognised the smell of NAAFI Tea as soon as the Door opened). A great day was had by all,never to be forgotten.