Japanese Ships in Portsmouth Dockyard.

[Kevin123]

When I was young I joined the nautical training corps in Portsmouth, Now and again we would be invited to look around the ships in the dockyard. In about 1978 or 1979 we were invited to spend a day onboard two Japenese ships,which we all enjoyed. I was wondering if anyone could remember their names, I think they were destroyers, and it was the first time for years that the Japenese navy had visited Portsmouth. Thanks. Kevin.

[SCRG1970]

Kevin

I believe the ships were the Destroyer KIKUZUKI and the Training Ship KATORI. If memory serves me correctly they were billed as Japanese Self Defence Force Vessels, probably not allowed to call themselves a Navy after the last lot!!!

Regards

Gerry

[Kevin123]

Hi Gerry, I was 13 or 14 at that time. I remember there were a lot of officers on board, so I think they were probably midshipmen. I remember there was a big write up in the evening news, I'll see if I can find a copy somewhere. Thanks. Kevin.