Cool boat!
Posted on 05/28/2003 9:51:52 AM PDT by knighthawk
Cheering crowds and emotional scenes greeted the Royal Navy's largest warship, HMS Ocean, when she returned to Britain following service in the war on Iraq.
Up to 2,000 well-wishers packed the jetty at Devonport Naval Base in Plymouth to welcome home the ship's company.
People waved Union flags and held up greeting banners when the assault ship came into view under a sunny, blue sky.
Family members cried and hugged their loved ones as they disembarked from the impressive 21,700-ton vessel.
Steward Steph Tickle, 28, from Preston, Lancashire, kissed her father and stepmother, Ian and Grace, on the jetty.
Miss Tickle said: "It's fantastic to be back, I missed Britain so much.
"At times, it was really hard on the ship, so I can't wait to get to the pub."
Mr Tickle, 54, said: "It's absolutely superb to have her back. They have all done a great job and I have missed her so much."
Cool boat!
A shudder just ran through my spine!
A "boat" is a small craft that can be stowed on a ship, or a submarine of any size. HMS Ocean is an air-capable, helicopter-carrying, amphibious assault ship.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.