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PORTSMOUTH 2001 |
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The
HDS at the International Festival of the Sea
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by Nick Baker |
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Warships and TallshipsThe key word within IFOS is of course International, with the diversity of nations represented at the event providing an exiting and stimulating fusion of knowledge and culture. As guests under the white ensign the warships of ten counties gathered to celebrate security through cooperation, with the USS Winston Churchill proving a major crowd puller. Meanwhile 26 tall ships were on display, ranging from the magnificent Russian Sedov, the largest sailing ship in the world, to the wonderful Shtandart (also Russian) a faithful reproduction of Peter the Great’s flagship. The latter, together with the Matthew, a replica of Cabot’s vessel in which he discovered the mainland of North America in 1497, was berthed in the next dock along from The HDS. Thus the Society was sandwiched between four classic vessels – original and reproduction - with a combined ‘age’ of well over 1,0000 years. History indeed! In all some twenty-eight nations were formally present at IFOS, eighteen of those afloat. Besides the warships and tall ships were the vessels of several merchant marines, as well as government – and indeed intergovernmental – maritime agencies. These were complimented by hundreds of private vessels; classic, vintage and modern every one ‘dressed overall’. The HDS afloat was well represented by members John Towse, John Baldry and Jack Millgate whose yacht Mary Gloag was moored in No.2 basin. Her noble workaday appearance and fine display of old sock bunting presenting an interesting challenge to the formidable lady skipper of an adjacent ‘half a million job’. International DivingFlags were also a feature of The Historical Diving Society display, with the Society celebrating its fundamental internationalist outlook with a multi-national backdrop of colours from all nations. Indeed the Society proved to be something of a magnet for naval divers attached to a variety of warships. The presence of a NATO mine countermeasures flotilla, including the Corte Real (Portugal) and Navarra (Germany) resulted in several divers being ‘courtesy dipped’ in Standard Dress. The presence of exchange divers on these ships further expanded the events international aspect with CDs from Spain and Brazil, as well as Germany and Portugal, being introduced to the pleasures of hand-pumped classic diving. HDS Working Equipment Officers North and South, John Smillie and Jim Hutchison, supported by a dedicated band of helpers, ensured that everything ran smoothly in the diving department. Rival DiversHowever, The Historical Diving Society didn’t have a monopoly on Standard Dress displays. One feature of IFOS is the variety - and high quality - of street entertainers. Two of these acts, the Jelly Rollers and The Deep Sea Divers feature diving ‘apparatus’, and both paid special visits to The HDS stand. Jelly Rollers consist of the ukulele enthusiast Captain Crumpbucket ‘carried’ by a giant deep-sea diver and accompanied by a trumpet playing lady pirate. Whilst The Deep Sea Divers are helmet clad stilt walkers complete with portable underwater sound effects and a line in wipe board cheeky backchat! ExhibitionThe Society mounted a magnificent dry display on the dockside with exhibition organisers Phil and Jane Thurtle ably assisted by John and Una Smillie, manning a double HDS stand offering both a display of equipment and HDS sales. Throughout the festival the exhibit proved a major draw for those interested in diving history, from newly qualified sports divers to WWII vintage ‘salts’. All were made welcome and several new members recruited. The next Portsmouth IFOS will in fact be in four years time to celebrate the bicentenary of the Battle of Trafalgar. The HDS will be there. |
