| THE horizon may
be a little closer when viewed from the bridge of a small
ship, but it doesn’t stop those on board from seeing
something of the world.
That has certainly been the case for students at the Glasgow
and Strathclyde URNU (University Royal Naval Unit), who went
overseas during their summer deployment with ‘their’
ship, HMS Smiter..
Admittedly, ‘overseas’ was just across the Channel
in Belgium – but it meant the White Ensign was seen
in the ports of Oostende and Antwerp, in addition to numerous
towns and cities around the UK.
The P2000 or Archer-class vessels of the First Patrol Boat
Squadron tend to be busy, as Smiter’s past year demonstrates.
Her primary role is as training vessel for the Glasgow and
Strathclyde students, but there is also a broader Fleet commitment
fulfilling the RN in the Public Eye policy.
Last year saw a series of sea training weekends which led
up to the Easter deployment
Smiter is lucky in having a home base on the Clyde, as it
opens up the Western Isles to her for training and cruising
purposes – a particularly good area for navigation training.
And despite the relatively small ship’s company and
her unusual training role, Smiter and her sisters are still
subjected to the rigours of Operational Sea Training (OST)
– in Smiter’s case, a period of intense activity
which was completed in May.
The Marine Engineer Department achieved a very good assessment,
with the Weapon Engineer Officer (WEO) gaining a ‘mention
in despatches’ for his ability and enthusiasm.
With operational capability topped up, the patrol boat attended
the annual Bell-Lawrie sailing series regatta in East Loch
Tarbert, acting as flagship for Naval Regional Officer Scotland
and Northern Ireland’s annual cocktail party.
Possibly the highlight of the URNU sea training calendar is
the summer deployment, and the 2004 version saw a group of
P2000s, with midshipmen (students) embarked, circumnavigating
the British Isles – and nipping over to the Continent.
Since the summer deployment, Smiter has successfully conducted
her annual slip and repair period at Holyhead, and has subsequently
recommenced sea training weekends.
Smiter has also been able to host local affiliates for sea
days – groups including university lecturers, local
Sea Cadets and Reservists have all had a taste of life at
sea with the Royal Navy.
The ship’s current Commanding Officer, Lt Zoe Watts,
is keen to get involved in as many local outreach programmes
and events as possible.
Lt Watts said: “With larger units being deployed overseas
fulfilling operational commitments, it is more important than
ever that ships such as Smiter get out and about in home waters,
displaying the White Ensign and explaining the work of the
Royal Navy.”
Future plans for the minor war vessel include a deployment
to Northern Ireland, further involvement with local youth
organisations, and increased liaison with the City of Glasgow.
Smiter herself is based at Clyde Naval Base, Faslane, while
the URNU headquarters is located in Glasgow, around 40 minutes
to the east.
The current Smiter is the third ship to carry the name, and
by some way the smallest.
The first of three Smiters – but only just – was
an escort carrier of 11,420 tons, built at Seattle Tacoma
in 1943 and offered to the Royal Navy under Lend-Lease.
The ship, originally known as the Vermillion, was returned
to the US Navy in April 1946, having won the name’s
sole Battle Honour, that of Atlantic 1944.
The second was originally built at Yarrows, Esquimalt, as
LST 3514 in 1944 and renamed Smiter in 1947.
She was sold in March 1949, and wrecked the following month
while under tow off Portugal.
The current Smiter displaces less than 50 tons, and has a
ship’s company of just five, including the Commanding
Officer, although another dozen or so URNU students can also
be accommodated on a temporary basis during the relatively
brief deployments of the P2000 flotilla.
(Ship of the Month January 2005)
Join Ship of the Month and receive a new postcard sized photograph
every month!
Each month Navy News looks at a different ship, her compliment,
armoury, propulsion and her recent activities. Join the many
subscribers who have been collecting Ship of the Month since
1969. more>
|
