The two new carriers will be more than three times the size of the Royal Navy's current flagship, the 20,000-ton Invincible-class light carrier, HMS Ark RoyalAll in all, good news to swell loyal hearts. Mind you, this little perfidious trick by the French is politically designed to make them the property of the European Union. Can you just imagine a fully complemented French crew sailing in the Queen Elizabeth!
By the way, I hope Prince William and his shipmates aboard the Iron Duke, helped themselves to a well-deserved dark and stormy in the wardroom last night. Wellington, to say nothing of Nelson, would be proud.
ReplyDeleteI remember when the Ark Royal came into Halifax harbour for a port visit, parked on the jetty adjacent to my ship. In all my salty years, I never once saw an American aircraft carrier come into Halifax, because they're too big.
ReplyDeleteThe downside of carriers is that the alongside costs are too expensive, if they can fit at all, which means if you're serving in one of them, you will not see the foreign ports like you do with the frigates, destroyers and cruisers. That said, quarters are more comfortable at sea, but sea is where you will stay!