Homecoming queen
As HMS Queen Elizabeth arrives at Portsmouth, outpourings of emotion make you feel proud to be British, writes
Steve Bird
‘The carrier sends the right signal to our allies and indeed potentially to our enemies that we mean business’
‘There were no tears in my eyes, but there was a feeling of intense pride and satisfaction’
Shortly after sunrise yesterday, the HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier made its way dead slow alongside the clanking Outer Spit Buoy that sways at the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour. As the Royal Navy’s largest and most powerful warship began its final approach to berth for the first time at its military base, Hawk jets and Wildcat and Merlin helicopters gave a thunderous ceremonial fly-past.
For the Prime Minister, the arrival of the “mighty” £3billion investment in “21st-century engineering” was proof Britain remained a “great global maritime nation”.
Admiral Sir Philip Jones, the First Sea Lord, said the 900ft carrier was the “embodiment of Britain in steel and spirit”, perfect for an outwardlooking and ambitious nation ready to embrace life after the European Union. But for the Royal Navy officers and crew aboard, the ship’s motto “Semper eadem” or “Always the same” summed up the Navy’s historical relationship with both Britain and the Hampshire city they were heading for. Tens of thousands of flag-waving well-wishers, including many relatives of the crew, ship builders and designers, lined the harbour to greet its arrival.
Since 1194, when Richard the Lionheart summoned a fleet in the city, Portsmouth has been the Navy’s most famous base. Admiral Nelson sailed from the city for the final time to command the fleet to defeat the Franco-spanish armada at Trafalgar. And, in 1545, Henry VIII, whose daughter the ship is named after, stood at Southsea Castle and watched the Mary Rose sink in the Solent.
For Captain Jerry Kyd, who was at the helm of HMS Queen Elizabeth yesterday, fears of making history for the wrong reasons cannot have been far from his mind. At its narrowest point, the mouth to the 600-year-old harbour has just 65ft clearance on either side of the 65,000-ton ship.
“I didn’t shut my eyes,” he said. “It was quite tight coming through the gap. It was also emotional because as an aircraft carrier captain, I brought HMS Ark Royal in here for its last arrival some seven years ago.
“So it is full circle – bringing the new generation of the next aircraft carrier into service is something very special professionally and personally.”
But as a military man, he believes the carrier sends “the right signal to our allies and indeed potentially to our enemies that we mean business”.
Although the ship is at the moment far from fully functioning for aircraft, its arrival in Portsmouth signifies the next stage in its development. For the last seven weeks, it has been undergoing intensive sea trials to check, among other things, propulsion. While helicopters have landed on the deck – the size of three football pitches – the £100million F-35s will not touch down on the ship until next year. Even then, she is a few years from being truly ready for service.
Speaking from the flight deck, Theresa May drew parallels with the ship’s power and the steadfast spirit needed to get the best from Brexit.
“Britain can be proud of this ship and what it represents. It sends a clear signal that as Britain forges a new, positive, confident role on the world stage in the years ahead, we are determined to remain a fully engaged global power, working closely with our friends and allies around the world. As highly versatile and potent assets, they will meet the widest range of challenges around the world.”
She added that the ship’s supporting task group, to include HMS Prince of Wales, a similar aircraft carrier still under construction, the UK would have “a truly world-class carrier strike capability for decades to come”.
The First Sea Lord said the arrival of HMS Queen Elizabeth at its home port was a “seminal moment” in naval history. “It is part of an unfolding renaissance in our maritime industries. Within both the Royal Navy and British industry, a generation have put their best years into this. It is going to take time and patience to introduce this into service. I would like to acknowledge the fabulous support of the US and French navies, who we have worked with and continue to do so,” he said.
“As we prepare to leave the European Union, this will take our message of partnership and prosperity to the rest of the world. HMS Queen Elizabeth embodies the nation’s future ambition. She will be the embodiment of Britain in steel and in spirit.
“She will demonstrate the kind of nation we are – not a diminished nation withdrawing from the world, but an outward-looking and ambitious nation with a Royal Navy to match.”
For the families of servicemen and engineers, the event was more personal. Christine Feltham, 59, had come from Southampton to watch her 26-year-old son, a weapons engineer, arrive aboard the carrier. “The ship was even bigger than I expected. It’s great to know he was part of it on its maiden voyage. I am very proud.” Sarah Smith had travelled from Hull to welcome her 20-year-old daughter, a sea spec, who was on board as it docked.
She said: “It’s very exciting. I am very proud of her. I saw the ship when it left Rosyth, but I am very excited to see it finally come home. It’s a good moment and I would not miss it for the world.”
John Mander, 77, from Bude, Cornwall, said he was “very proud indeed” of his son, who is one of the BAE Systems workers on board.
The sheer size meant dredging vessels spent months removing 3.2million cubic metres of sediment, so the ship could navigate the channel.
For Captain Kyd, the role of the carrier, like the naval vessels that sailed in the centuries before her, remains simply “Semper eadem”.
“It is what the country needs, I think it is what the Armed Forces needs to give a balanced power projection capability.
“There were no tears in my eyes, but there was a feeling of intense pride and satisfaction. I was just so pleased for my ship’s company who have done so well and so much work over the last few years.”