The Royal Navy That Used To Be

I remember standing on the foc’sle on morning watch weighing anchor with the smell of the North Wind whipping in from ahead and the taste of salt spray on my lips. The feel of the ship beneath my feet, a living thing as her engines drive her through the sea. The sounds of the Royal Navy,the piercing trill of the boatswains call, the clang of the ships bell, the harsh squawk of the main broadcast Tannoy and the strong language and laughter of sailors at work. The Warships, sleek destroyers,fussing frigates,plodding fleet auxiliaries, menacing submarines, purposeful mine hunters and steady solid carriers. The proud names of the Royal Navy capital ships. Ark Royal. Eagle. Lion and Tiger. The descriptive names of destroyers, Daring, Battleaxe, and Cockade and the frigates, Active,Undaunted and Vigilant, just to name a few.
This was the Royal Navy that I so proudly served in.
Rule Britannia still rings out in the rigging of Nelson’s mighty ship HMS Victory.
God Bless and keep reading.