03 July 2021
On a somewhat overcast and damp morning of 3rd July, the Master, Mistress, Clerk and Assistant Clerk joined the commanding officer of HMS Archer Lt Alastair Pittaway and his mixed crew of experienced officers and students on board for an excursion up to the Thames Barrier and back. Usually based up in Leith, Edinburgh, the crew had brought Archer down the coast to London in a series of stages, breaking their journey twice, as HMS Archer does not operate at night.
Starting at HMS President, just east of Tower Bridge in St Katharine Docks, and confusingly a building rather than a ship, the party were warmly greeted on arrival, and after a safety briefing, were conducted up to the deck, where setting out into the Thames, there was an opportunity to chat at length with the diverse crew.
Mid voyage, a tour of the ship was given. The crew, currently significantly smaller than usual because of Covid restrictions, describe the ship as having a family atmosphere, with all ranks taking turns to provide meals in the galley.
The heavens opened, but newly swathed in waterproofs, high spirits were undimmed. Turns were taken at steering the ship, and happily a passing Met Police boat had no cause for concern at the quality of the driving, and were kind enough to take a photograph.
The tour concluded with a sandwich lunch, and the Master and Mistress presented a tankard to the ship as a personal gift, for use by its Commanding Officers going forward. Lieutenant Pittaway thanked the Company for its generous gift of a barbecue earlier in the year, and emphasised how valued the connection between Archer and the Company is.
