After the best came the worst, HMS Minerva a total nightmare, what's even worse I spent a whole three years onboard. The ship itself was no different from other Leanders I'd had (well slightly different weapon fit) it was the ships company that made it bad. Don't get me wrong they weren't all that bad, just the odd three or four that ruined it for all the rest.I became "leading hand of the mess" which made things worse because all the trouble makers just happened to be in my mess. Still it wasn't all bad there were some good lads onboard.
We did a tour of the Falklands over Christmas 1984 which turned out to be quite interesting, during the tour we visited South Georgia, the burial place of Earnest Shackleton, seeing his grave is something I will never forget. The only building left standing at Grytviken (the capital) is the Church, which is maintained by visiting ships. There are also massive Elephant seals just laying about all over the place, which seem quite friendly until you get too close!
Me and Joe Jordan, just entering Gritviken, South Georgia for a bit or
R 'n' R. Torpedo tube turned outwards in case of trouble,
A better view of the Glacier. Its hard to judge the size of it from this phot
but when we got up closer it towered above the ship.
Don't know far left, (looks a bit like Big Bird) then Fossie Foster,
Henry Cooper and Joe Jordan.
HMS Minerva alongside a support vessel in Port Stanley harbour on Christmas day 1984 and just for a change I was Quartermaster, deep joy
Ginge Heatherington (the ginger one) and Scouse Birchall (nearest) Thanks to Ian Calvert for help with names.
Gritviken Whaling Station. Seen better days I would say, although there
was one old whaling boat still afloat, which again was maintained by
visiting sailors.