In an emotional farewell, HMS Campbeltown slipped her moorings and sailed past the heart of the town for the final time. The population had turned out in high numbers to watch and support the ship on her final sail-past.
During the ship’s visit the town staged a church service in honour of the frigate and the crew took part in a civic parade in a mutual expression of gratitude for the many years of close association during which a strong bond was formed.
On her departure the ship was accompanied by the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) lifeboat and crew with which close links have been formed over the years. The ship’s company lined the upper deck in formation to pay their respects to the town. Then, as the frigate slowly steamed away, the ship’s company conducted an eleven-gun salute in Campbeltown’s honour.
As the sound of the final gun echoed back to the town the ship’s company cheered residents who had come out to bid her farewell.
HMS Campbeltown headed out to the open sea accompanied by the lifeboat for a short while and the ship’s company then cheered the lifeboat before steaming away.
( mod )
[mappress]
Source: mod,March 16, 2011;