F17 in 1963, Tenby, Torquay and the T15's go to Cleveland in the USA

[tim lewin]

Here are some pictures of Tenby and Torquay thoroughly enjoying a visit to Cleveland Ohio in 1963 after passing through the Welland Canal. Tenby was a new addition to F17 replacing Urchin as my father's flag (?) ship. She was taken over into the squadron in very ropey condition, dirty, poorly refitted and very scruffy. Bad weather crossing the Atlantic didnt help. They put into the Chespeake and spent a hasty week painting ship before steadily shaping up en route to New York and then into the Lakes. I was 15 at that time and spent happy school holidays messing with cadets aboard Tenby (and Urchin before) and without doubt she was a very happy ship. Unfortunately my father NEVER wrote on the back of photos, which he collected in a huge cardboard box, even this box has history, so if anyone recognises themselves or muckers, please let me know.

If you are really interested all of this commission is fully written up in Richard Hills excellent book "Lewin Of Greenwich" which is probably out of print, just, by now but easily obtainable via secondhand market and even Amazon.
tim

[rumrat]

My old oppo Fred Gannon was on the TENBY for the trip to Cleveland but was drafted on her return to the UK to Commission CARYSFORT at Gibraltar for a 2 Year Commission out the Far East,Sadly Fred passed away a few years ago as a result of a house fire .
Regards
Dave

[tim lewin]

I can't remeber what became of Tenby, was she sold to the Indians? I still have her deck plate in my office which is hansomely polished. She was certainly an excellent seaboat after the type 15, I was only 15 at the time but enjoyed very much going to sea in her which was easy as during the summer the squadron used to take school CCF parties.
tim

[rumrat]

Hi Tim,
Tenby paid off into reserve in December 1972 at Devonport and was placed on the disposal list ,The proposed sale to Pakistan in 1974 fell through .She was eventually sold to Wards at Briton Ferry for breaking up in June 1977.
Regards
Dave

[tonclass]

Tenby laid up at Briton Ferry.

[tim lewin]

Thanks for that and the very sad picture of the old ship waiting for the end; I remember seeing several type 15s lying in the mud at low tide close to the road along Fareham Creek, would have been about 1973-4 and suggesting to my father who was then in command at Portsmouth that someone with nothing better to do should paint out the pennant numbers on the basis that its not very warming to see your old home demolished, losing the number was supposed to de-personalise the ships. I am pleased to say he agreed with the sentiment and it was done.

I remember being very impressed by how quiet the guns were inside the turrets after the viscious crack of the open 4 inch of Urchin, I don't remember ever hearing Corunna's 4.5s.
all best
tim

[rumrat]

TORQUAY with Type 15s in line astern 1963
Regards
Dave

[tim lewin]

quite possibly these pictures are related; I suspect this might be Lyme Bay, there are a couple more like this somewhere, need to look harder. Any memories of that commission would be most welcome for my collection.
tim

[rumrat]

Didn't one of the Type 15s sink in Lyme Bay after a shootex or something simular whilst being used as a target ?
Just remembered it was WHIRLWIND and she went down in Cardigan Bay ignore me call it a senior moment.
Dave

[raybo1949]

TORQUAY with Type 15s in line astern 1963
Regards
Dave

Have you got any photos of the line up in Halifax in 1967 where HMS Torquay attended Expo 1967 and went on to do a tour of the States

[tim lewin]

Sorry Ray, no; the pics i have are from my late father's commission as Captain F17, nothing before, nothing after!
BUT, i am sure someone in the forum will find one for you...
good luck
tim