HMS Chaplet 1955 to 1956
By
Denis
Broadbent,
Ex R.N. (Pmx 915134)
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I served on HMS Chaplet in 1955/6 Chaplet was part of the 1st Destroyer Squadron and was detailed to do several bouts of Cyprus Patrol in darken-ship mode along with HMS Chieftain and HMS Chevron. On moonless nights we searched for small craft that were being used to smuggle arms and ammunition to the EOKA terrorist movement in Cyprus. We picked them up on the radar then closed in silently to pinpoint them with the 20" searchlight. We encountered several boats and searched them. During the day we lay at anchor and had some recreational time. Several limpet mines were removed from the hull over a period of time and we caught a terrorist trying to attach a mine on one occasion. This was prior to our escorting two convoys of troop ships, oil tankers and ammunition ships from Malta to Port Said during the Suez Crisis. |
At one time Chaplet was the only warship escorting this convoy (Known as MS 1 and MS 2) We challenged a small group of ships en route that failed to identify themselves, closed up to action stations and were within 5 nautical miles, about to engage when we discovered that they were in fact a group of French ships! We took part in the initial bombardment of the beaches in order to land the Marines, steamed back to Tobruk to tow a couple of 'lighters' to Port Said before returning to the UK at full speed. The 1st Destroyer Squadron was the first group of ships to arrive home at Portsmouth from the Suez Crisis
The nights Chaplet patrolled were a bit spooky in a way because on a night at sea with no moon it isn't even possible to see a hand in front of your face, especially in darken-ship mode. The radar was used extensively, mainly the Decca navigation radar. As a leading Radio Electrician's Mate, I had to be absolutely sure that all radar was working in tiptop condition and calibrated correctly. The high mountains around Kyrenia sometimes played tricks with super refraction problems either giving false echoes or none at all when very close to shore.
When a contact was made with a small craft we made a stealthy approach until the vessel was very close and then we would suddenly illuminate the suspect with our 20 " searchlight. Any attempt to ditch things over the side would invite disaster, because we rammed them.
During the day we would anchor in a remote bay for an afternoon of recreation, mounting armed guards to watch over the swimming party. I remember one occasion when a Lanchester sub-machine gun was used while ratings were enjoying the afternoon swim, and everyone hit the beach with high speed. A moment or two later, a red faced guard appeared from the bushes with a large lizard that was not looking happy as its insides were all now gone. The crew were recalled to the ship and we pulled up the anchor smartly.
At this time I had a little dog on the ship. He had come ashore that day and in the confusion he got left behind. Commander Renshawe, the skipper, heard of this and took the ship back to that very same beach the next day and put a search party ashore to look for him, but to no avail; he was lost. I was very touched by this gesture.
An assault was made on one occasion on Mount St. Hilarion at Kyrenia by some of the ship's company, myself included. The mountain is over 3,000 feet and it was not an easy climb for me, my mountaineering skills being nil. I made it to the top, however, after being 'rescued' once or twice. Mt. St. Hilarion Castle was the place where Richard the Lionheart was once imprisoned.
I realise that a lot of this is personal and you may decide not to include it in the website, as there would be many stories to tell from many people. HMS Chaplet transited the Suez Canal prior to the invasion in 1956 and proceeded up the Gulf of Aqaba to show the flag to a British tank squadron based there. This was most enjoyable, as we had a play with their tanks, and they had a play with our ship!
A trip by trucks and later horseback was arranged for some of the ship's company to visit the old ruined city of Petra. We spent the night at an Arab Legion outpost before returning to Aqaba. A very interesting trip.
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