- HMS Vidal
HMS "Vidal" was a
survey ship of theRoyal Navy .Construction and naming
"Vidal" was built at
Chatham Dockyard , and was the last surface vessel, and the last oceanographic survey vessel built at the Dockyard. [ [http://www.servicepals.com/index.cfm/pcms/site.gallery.view_image/imageID/1705/ Image and information on HMS Vidal] ] She was also the first small ship designed to carry a helicopter. [ [http://www.fleetairarmoa.org/pages/fleet_air_arm_history/history.shtml History of the Fleet Air Arm] ] She was launched on 31 July 1951 and commissioned into service in 1954. In common with most of the survey ships of the period, she was named after an influential surveyor or explorer of the Royal Navy. In her case, this was the nineteenth century surveyorAlexander Thomas Emeric Vidal , who had surveyed much of the coast of Africa, and ranged into the Atlantic to survey the tiny islet ofRockall .cite book |last=Dawson |title=Memoirs of Hydrography |pages=pp. 94–5] So far she has been the only ship of the Navy to bear the name.cite book |last=Colledge |title=Ships of the Royal Navy |pages=p. 374]Career
"Vidal" spent her career carrying out surveys for the Navy, and supporting scientific work for the British government. The development of the
Cold War led the British government to decide to formally annexe Rockall.cite book |last=Sharma |title=Territorial Acquisition |pages=p. 63] This was authorised on 14 September 1955, with orders fromQueen Elizabeth II transmitted to the "Vidal" detailingOn arrival at Rockall you will effect a landing and hoist the Union flag on whatever spot appears most suitable or practicable and you will then take possession of the island on our behalf. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/september/21/newsid_4582000/4582327.stm BBC.co.uk - 1955: Britain claims Rockall] ]
The "Vidal" arrived in position the following day, but were unable to land any men as poor weather prevented the helicopter from flying.On 18 September 1955 at precisely 10.16 am,
Lieutenant-Commander Desmond Scott RN,Sergeant Brian Peel RM,Corporal AA Fraser RM, andJames Fisher (a civilian naturalist and former Royal Marine), were deposited on the island by aRoyal Navy helicopter from HMS "Vidal". The team cemented in a brass plaque on Hall's Ledge and hoisted theUnion Flag to stake the UK's claim.The inscription on the plaque reads:
By authority of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God of the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of her other realms and territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth,Defender of the Faith , and in accordance with Her Majesty's instructions dated the 14th day of September, 1955, a landing was effected this day upon this island of Rockall from HMS Vidal. The Union flag was hoisted and possession of the island was taken in the name of Her Majesty. [Signed] R H Connell, Captain, HMS Vidal, 18 September 1955.The formal annexation of Rockall was announced by the
Admiralty on 21 September 1955.In 1964 "Vidal" carried the Chief Hydrographer, Admiral Sir Edmund Irving to
Leningrad for talks with AdmiralAnatoliy Rassokho , his counterpart in theSoviet Union . [ [http://www.hydro-international.com/issues/articles/id415-Whats_in_a_Name_Part___Vidal.html History of the Vidals] ] In 1967 she transported scientists and personnel toDiego Garcia . [ [http://www.zianet.com/tedmorris/dg/warstories.html Stories about Diego Garcia] ]The "Vidal" was broken up in
Bruges in June 1976.Notes
References
*Colledge
*cite book |first=Llewellyn Styles|last=Dawson|title=Memoirs of Hydrography: Including Brief Biographies of the Principal Officers who Have Served in H.M. Naval Surveying Service Between the Years 1750 and 1885: Part I: 1750-1830 |accessdate=2008-09-13 |year= |publisher=H.W. Keay |pages=pp. 94–5 |chapter=Vice-Admiral A. E. T. Vidal, R. N.
*cite book |first=Surya Prakash|last=Sharma|title=Territorial Acquisition, Disputes, and International Law: Territorial Acquisition, Disputes and International Law|accessdate=2008-09-13 |year=1997 |publisher=Martinus Nijhoff Publishers |pages=p. 63
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