75th Anniversary of Royal Family Visit to South Africa Day3

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 Day3: 2nd February 1947

Note from the Captain -Wind veered to South West during the night. Wind strong with South West swell. St James regained station at 9.00am. Strong winds Force 7-8 continued all day with much rain. Captain reports Finisterre alarm at 9.00pm.

Map to show Finisterre, it is northern Spain


We are in a time with the Vanguard at sea and the weather not good so not much available so will be going though the modes of Transport  (Ship, Car, Train & Plane)as extra information until the ship reaches South Africa. Watch out there are some special events on the way before South Africa

HMS Vanguard

The Vanguard was built under the Wartime Construction Programme 1940.

The Builder was John Brown's, Clydebank (Scotland).

It was laid down on 2nd October 1941  laying down is the formal recognition of the start of a ship's construction. It is often marked with a ceremony attended by dignitaries from the shipbuilding company and the ultimate owners of the ship.

Launched on 30th November 1944  Launching is when the ship enters the water for the first time, either by having it slide down a ramp or is dumped into the water all at once. HRH Princess Elizabeth carried out her first public engagement by releasing the launching mechanism.

Completed on 25th April 1946 The handing over to the Royal Navy by John Brown's .The next 2 pictures were taken on the 25th April one of Captain W.G.Agnew standing by the honours board and the second of the commissioning ceremony.




 Pictures of the HMS Vanguard as the she sails down the Clyde



12th May 1946 the service of blessing of the ship attended by HRH Princess Elizabeth. This is her arriving and being greeted by Captain Agnew

The picture below shows HRH Princess Elizabeth leaving HMS Vanguard

There is a very good book on the HMS Vanguard by Neil McCart it is dedicated to the Vanguard 1944 to 1960 only . ISBN 0-90771-83-1

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