Union Jack.

[Keith Tindell]

Hi Cappy, I owned a Westerly Centaur for 18 years, had a lot of sailing and fun in it KT

[cappy]

westerly build nice yachts sailed a few others but thought the westerly was the biz regards cappy

[robpage]

They were built less than half a mile from here in Waterlooville , a purpose built factory was put up in 1963 they went bust several times and finally closed the factory in 2000 .

[Hugh]

it probably was bull**** corner, but inwardly it gave us a sense of pride in getting it right

Only one time I had to dip the ensign in return to a merchantman was in 1980 outward bound from Gib on the minehunter 'BRERETON'. The skipper was RNR and I was sparks/signalman on watch. He told me to keep a good look-out when passing a couple of MN ships. Nobody bothered on the first one but the second one dipped and I gave the courtesy back.

Regards
Hugh

[j.sabourn]

Hugh, Think it was 1980 when was in Gib. on Seaforth Clansman which was seconded to HMS Vernon. One of the original matelots from the Clansman had previously been promoted back to the Grey Funnel line as a Cox"n on a minehunter and bumped into him in Gib. His mates were saying he had gone all toffee nosed after his promotion. Anyhow we did the rounds of Gib and last saw him crossing the road via the bonnets of the traffic. He was picked up by the shore patrol and disrated. His pals came and thanked me for getting him pissed and back to normal, it was completely unintentional. Worked with quite a few of the minehunters until the Navy got its all purpose vessel HMS Challenger which believe turned out to be a dud. Cheers John Sabourn

[Lou Barron]

While having a cruise on the river Thames i have seen the police boats flying the blue ensign

[Captain Kong]

I was in Dover several years ago. The RY Britannia was moored on the far side of the docks.
I was on watch. just stood on the main deck when a boat came around the harbour and down the side of the ship, only feet away. I noticed a white ensign on the boat and took no notice. it was only a very small harbour boat.
Then I saw an old lady standing up in it wearing a grey mac,. I waved to her and she waved back and smiled. Then as it passed I realised it was the Queen Mother.
I legged it down aft but the boat had gone.
She was doing a tour of the Cinque Ports she was `boss` of.

So that is the reason I never got my Knighthood.
Cheers
Brian.

[Ivan Cloherty]

Never mind Brian, think of all those occasions you've worn your night hoods! much more enjoyable, even if it is like washing your feet with your socks on!!

[happy daze john in oz]

I was in Dover several years ago. The RY Britannia was moored on the far side of the docks.
I was on watch. just stood on the main deck when a boat came around the harbour and down the side of the ship, only feet away. I noticed a white ensign on the boat and took no notice. it was only a very small harbour boat.
Then I saw an old lady standing up in it wearing a grey mac,. I waved to her and she waved back and smiled. Then as it passed I realised it was the Queen Mother.
I legged it down aft but the boat had gone.
She was doing a tour of the Cinque Ports she was `boss` of.

So that is the reason I never got my Knighthood.
Cheers
Brian.

She most likely never knew about that kind of night hood Brian.

[j.sabourn]

#17 Ref. the R.Y. remember lying opposite her in Portsmouth one New Year time. There were about at least 6 court martials from her as a number of the crew had been caught at it. Apparently should have been on a Castle Boat where it wasn't frowned on by the Admiralty. What the situation these days under the same circumstances would probably be quite different. How times have changed. Is sometimes difficult enough picking out the women from the men in any case. It says in one of the Holy books (censored) man that is born of man will live forever. The way science and morality are going this should at some time be possible in the future. Am pleased I will not be around to see it. Cheers John Sabourn