On Wednesday 10th May, Ex Deacon Prof Bruce Wood, Late Collector Dr Nina Baker, and Deacon David Westmore visited HMS Defender in Portsmouth with whom the Hammermen are affiliated. HMS Defender is the fifth of the Type 45 or Daring-class air-defence destroyers built for the Royal Navy and is the eighth ship to bear the name. Construction of Defender began in 2006, and she was launched in 2009 at BAE Systems, Scotstoun, before entering service in November 2013.
The ship was hosting an affiliates day involving a voyage out past the Isle of White and back on a rather murky day. Our hosts guided us around all the main areas of the ship leaving us marvelling at such an impressive ship and her crew. The Deacon was treated to lunch with the ship’s captain, Commander George Storton, who recently took over from Commander Owen, together with 3 other Deacons whose craft the ship is affiliated with. The Deacon presented Commander Storton with a bottle of single malt whisky.
