Northampton

Aims of the Sea Cadets

The aim of the Sea Cadet Corps is to help young people towards responsible adulthood by encouraging valuable personal attributes and high standards of conduct using a nautical theme based on the customs of the Royal Navy. Through adventurous activities the Cadets become self reliant, and through teamwork they develop consideration and respect for others.

The Corps encourages high personal standards and a sense of purpose, and provides a sound foundation for future careers. The Corps provide a range of activities and skills, which are attractive and adventurous within a caring discipline to which young people can respond.

This in turn aids their development into self-confident, self-disciplined young adults and encourages a sense of responsibility to the community. It is important for your youngster, that in order to get the most out of the Sea Cadet Corps, he/she tries to take part in as many Unit activities as possible and, towards this end, your encouragement will be greatly appreciated. The Unit staff will do their utmost to ensure that your son/daughter enjoys his/her stay with us.

How to Join the Sea Cadets

To join the Sea Cadets your child has to agree to behave! The standard form P10 attached to this guide is a contract between, the parent, cadet and unit commanding officer. The cadet promises when joining the unit to do their best and do as they are asked. In return the unit promises to do their best to make the activities challenging and fun for the cadet!

To join the attached SCC Standard Form P10 must be completed (Section A, B and C only). The cadet and parents must sign this form to accept the conditions of entry into the Sea Cadets which are outlined in this guide. Also attached to this pack is Sea Cadet Standard Form ST17 which is for the uniform issue after the probationary period – again this should be returned to the unit signed in advance to enable prompt issue of Sea Cadet uniform.

Every cadet has to serve a probationary period of six weeks prior to becoming a full Sea Cadet. This probationary period is spent in Ganges Division where a dedicated member of staff will look after the new cadet and ensure that there are no problems. Towards the end of this probationary period the cadet is issued uniform and on the enrolment night the new cadet makes their Sea Cadet promise to become a full member of the Sea Cadets. Parents are invited to the enrolment ceremony and this is an excellent opportunity to gain some photographs for the family album!

Commanding Officer

The Commanding Officer is Lieutenant (SCC) Chris Read Royal Navy Reserve.

He is responsible for the running of Training Ship Laforey and Diamond.

If you have any other questions or concerns, please speak to the Unit Commanding Officer (contact details below) who will be pleased to answer them for you.

Lieutenant (SCC) Chris Read(RNR)

15 Northampton Road
Blisworth
Northants
NN7 3DN

(H) 01604 857631
(M) 07776 177 509
(M) 07905 875 621 (manned only on parade nights)

co@northamptonseacadets.org

What we offer young people in the Sea Cadet Corps

The Sea Cadet Corps offer many activities which young people can become involved in, these fall into three categories:

Firstly, a Cadet can specialise in any number of seven subjects - Seamanship, Communications, Marine Engineering, Cook/Stewards, Writers/Stores, Physical Training and First Aid. The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme is actively encouraged in the Unit.

Northampton has staff that can offer a wide range of specialist training including Seamanship, Marine Engineering, Writers/Stores, Cooks/Stewards, Physical Training and First Aid.

Secondly, Cadets can become proficient in Meteorology, Expedition Training, Target Shooting, Sub-aqua Diving and Music as a drummer, bugler or instrumentalist.

Thirdly - and probably the most popular - is Canoeing and Boat work, both Inshore and Offshore Power and Sail. The Corps follows the British Canoe Union (BCU) and Royal Yachting Association (RYA) training schemes. Waterborne activity is conducted on rivers, lakes, and reservoirs and, in some cases, coastal locations. The unit boats throughout the summer on the River Nene adjacent to the unit and organises local courses and camps for its cadets.

Additionally there is opportunity to become part of the Royal Marine Cadet detachment of 12 cadets who are an integral part of the units ships company. The Royal Marine Cadets are open to boys and girls over the age of 13 years and their training is based on the Royal Marines Commando training.

Sea Cadets regularly take part in not only inter Unit/District/Area Competitions but National Competitions as well as Inter-Cadet Service Competitions with the Army and Air Cadets.

The Royal Navy supports the Sea Cadet Corps in many of these activities. RN Establishments around the country host many of the training courses and provide resources that Units cannot normally find. As well as the above, the cadets can also take part in many other activities, including motor-boating, camping, flying (on occasions), swimming, parade drill and much more. So make the most of your opportunities.

Royal Marine Cadets

The Royal Marine Cadets form part of the Ships Company and offer training based on the themes of the Royal Marines. This is open to boys and girls aged over 13 years of age.

The Royal Marine Cadets are under the over all command of the Unit Commanding Officer and there training and activities are directed by the Unit Detachment Commander. The Royal Marine Cadets and Blue Jacket (Sea Cadets) all form part of the Sea Cadet Corps and operate as a Ships Company; as such training is often combined within the unit.

There are a number of activities that make up the corps syllabus for Royal Marine Cadet (RMC) Training, these are, Field Craft, Section attacks and defence, Camouflage and Concealment, RM Corps History, Map Reading and Land Navigation and Weapon handling and Marksmanship. In addition to these it is encouraged that RMCs participate as any other cadet in all other Sea cadet courses, proficiencies, and specialisations.

Each year every detachment in the Sea Cadet Corps is assessed in the field by the Staff Royal Marines Officer (SMRO). The SMRO is a serving Royal Marine Colour Sergeant who is based at Sea Cadet HQ in London. He reports directly to the Captain of the Sea Cadets. The Royal Marine Cadet training is physically demanding and require a good level of physical and mental fitness to complete. As you can imagine, the training is thorough and requires regular attendance.

The unit operates a waiting list to join the Royal Marines Cadet Detachment and firstly any New Entry will have to participate in combined initial training in the Sea Cadet Corps. Cadets applying to become Royal Marine Cadets will be held on a waiting list and selection to become a Royal Marine Cadet will be made by the Commanding Officer based on advise from other senior members of staff. The cadets will be selected based on enthusiasm, attendance and physical ability for the training.

How much does the membership of the unit cost per month

The subscription donation for membership of Northampton and Wellingborough Sea Cadets is £10.00 per month which is payable by standing order on the first parade of each month. Standing Order forms are attached to this guide. If there are problems paying by standing order separate arrangements can be made by contacting the unit.

This donation covers all insurance and overhead costs incurred by the unit and is payable regardless of the cadets ability to attend individual parade nights.

Please note that failure for cadets to pay this donation will mean usually the activities cadets will be allowed to participate in will be restricted due to insurance requirements. For example, cadets will be restricted from Boating, Shooting, Courses etc until the Subscription Donation is settled.

The unit also benefits for reclaiming the income tax earned on your donations through the Gift Aid Charitable Allowance. This is worth approximately 28p for every £1. We request that all parents complete the form attached to allow the unit to maximise its income for the benefit of the cadets.

Discipline and Conduct

The word “discipline” is often misunderstood by cadets joining the unit. We expect a high standard of behaviour in the Sea Cadets and cadets to do what they are asked by the adult instructors. If cadets cannot behave we have to contact the cadets parents and send you home. Therefore we have over 65 well behaved cadets!! Please note that disruptive cadets only spoil activities for everyone else so they will be sent home. All disciplinary issues are formally recorded and held on the cadets records and may also affect their advancement for promotion or attendance on courses/competitions. If cadets fail to maintain standards of behaviour the activities that are available to participate in will be restricted at the discretion of the Commanding Officer.

We encourage our young people to air any concerns and not tolerate poor behaviour of others and there is a formal route for doing this. However any complaint or concern can be discussed with any SCC adult or the Commanding Officer who will do his/her best to resolve any issue raised.

Upon becoming a member of the SCC all cadets are committing themselves to a Code of Conduct and we expect all cadets to:

• Set an example they would wish others to follow and treat everyone with equal respect and dignity.
• Respect and be sensitive to individual beliefs, faiths and religions.
• Respect each others’ rights to privacy.
• Not make fun of anyone else because of their colour, religion, abilities or disabilities.
• Not bully fellow cadets.
• Keep others informed of where they are and what they are doing.
• Attend Sea Cadet Unit parade nights at the specified times on a regular basis, at least 50% over a monthly period.
• Not to leave a Sea Cadet Unit or activity without permission from the designated SCC adult in charge.
• Abide by all Sea Cadet Unit or Establishment Standing Orders when undergoing Sea Cadet activities.
• Work as part of a team.
• Listen to fellow cadets and SCC adults.
• If you have any concerns about the way a fellow cadet is being treated either during a Sea Cadet activity or at home, tell an appropriate SCC adult.
• Show understanding and sensitivity to others.

The full code of conduct document is displayed in the unit and there are similar codes of conduct documents for adults and cadets.

Waterborne Activities

Dinghy Sailing

Sailing is a wonderful activity that allows cadets to work by themselves in a single-handed dinghy or as part of a team in a larger dinghy. It is a truly exhilarating sport that develops self-confidence and the awareness of natural elements. All dinghy sailing within the Sea Cadet Corps is conducted under the Royal Yachting Association sailing schemes. The two main dinghies used by the SCC are the Bosun and the Topper, however the opportunity often arises to sail higher performance craft.

The unit owns a wide variety of boats and equipment that the cadets can use on the sessions. There is plenty of opportunity to gain RYA qualifications as the unit has its own highly qualified RYA Instructors.

As well as sailing in the unit being recognised by the governing body for boatwork, the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) we also make good use of the Sea Cadet Dinghy Sailing Training Centre at Thrapston.

All of the qualifications gained in the Sea Cadets are recognised by the watersports industry and are valid in commercial centres such as Pitsford Watersports.

Canoeing/Kayak

Canoeing is another popular sport where cadets can develop their own personal waterborne skills. All training is conducted under the British Canoe Union (BCU) Training Scheme.

The unit owns many canoes and kayaks and has a number of qualified instructors, this means that canoe sessions are run in the summer months on the River Nene and in the winter the unit organises canoeing training sessions at the Mounts Pool. The sessions at the mounts pool attract an additional charge and finish at 10pm. Cadets are collected from the Mounts Pool after these sessions.

Rowing

Rowing is the basis for all good seamanship practices. It teaches good teamwork and waterborne skills. The unit has, on permanent loan from the M.o.D, four Admiralty Sea Cadet (ASC) vessels, which can also double as a safe sailing trainer. The unit also has two small rowing dinghies which are used as fun boats and a Rowing Yole.

Power Boating

Power Boating allows cadets to learn boat handling in displacement and planning power craft. All instruction is carried out under the Royal Yachting Association powerboat-training scheme. The unit has four power boats including two small Safety Boats, Avon Inflatable and the Viking inboard diesel training boat. The unit has its own RYA Power Instructors so there are opportunities to gain RYA Power Qualifications.

Windsurfing

This is an activity available to cadets by attending Sea Cadet organised training camps. Also the unit offers windsurfing using the 8 Hi-Fly Windsurfing Boards and a variety of windsurfing rigs.

Offshore Sailing

The Sea Cadet Corps has a number of large sailing craft that Cadets may sail on. The most impressive of these is T.S. Royalist. Cadets can attend one-week trips on Royalist and learn how to work as part of the crew while at the same time visiting British or Foreign ports.

The unit raises money throughout the year to enable cadets to get to Sea on the Sea Cadet Offshore Fleet and sponsorship for these courses are available to our cadets.

Uniform, Dress and Equipment

The Sea Cadets is a uniformed youth organisation and cadets have the privilege of wearing near identical uniform to that of the Royal Navy. Therefore cadets are expected to attend activities in uniform and be turned out to the correct standard. If cadets do not wear the correct uniform for the activity it is usual for the cadet not to be able to fully participate.

Parents should also note that the uniform regulations also include the banning of piercing to the face and body other than one earring in the ear lobe per an ear for females cadets only, unnatural hair colours or designs, long hair in male cadets, facial hair, bracelets, bangles, hair bands, necklaces, rings etc.

All uniform is issued and changed free of charge (uniform deposit of £20 are held for the safe return of the uniform, £10 is returned if the uniform is returned in good order). The remaining £10 is kept for cleaning of the uniform prior to re-issue. Parents are encouraged to complete and return the SCC Form ST17 and the self measurement form to the unit as soon as the cadet joins which enables the unit to procure a suitable uniform for the cadet prior to the end of the six week probationary period.

If the uniform is accidentally damaged in cadet activities it is usually replaced free of charge. If the uniform is lost or damaged through neglect the cadet will be charged the full replacement cost for its replacement. This includes leaving berets/caps/jerseys at the unit. It is the individual cadets responsibility to take care of the equipment issued to them, as it is impossible for the unit staff to ensure that all 85 cadets personal issue of uniform is not lost.

Cadets are encouraged to care for their own uniform and are shown how to iron, polish boots, hang uniform etc. We would request that under suitable supervision that cadets are encouraged to care for their own uniform. Full uniform care instructions are issued to cadets with their initial uniform issue.

It is recommended that all equipment issued to the cadet be clearly marked with the cadet’s surname and “SCC Unit 255”. The unit can provide name labels to achieve this if required.

On some occasions cadets are issued with other kit on Temporary Loan such as Windproof Working Jackets, Camping Equipment, White Webbing, Buoyancy Aids etc. Most equipment is individually numbered and it is the cadets responsibility to care for this kit whilst in their charge. Equipment lost by cadets loaning unit equipment will be replaced at full cost by the cadet concerned.

The unit has to take this stance as it teaches our young people to care for their personal belongings also the unit cannot afford to regularly replace equipment lost by the cadets. Additional items of uniform can be bought at MoD list prices if required by the cadets.

Courses and Competitions

Courses

The Sea Cadets offer many courses on various different activities. Courses are sometimes held locally at the unit, at adjacent units or at Regional or National Training Centres. Some courses are aimed at older cadets and have age restrictions depending on the activity.

Courses are either week or weekend based and are run throughout the year. Typically a National weeks course will cost between £30 and £75 and a weekend will cost between £10 - £25, depending on the venue and activities offered.

All courses are booked through the Ships Office usually using a request form approved by the Divisional Officer. School permission must be obtained when an absence is required from school. The parents are responsible for obtaining this permission if required.

It is usual for a deposit to be taken for all course bookings, which is usually non-refundable.

Full joining instructions and kit lists are issued the week proceeding each course and cadets are given a full brief by the Unit Training Officer before attendance.

As courses are a privilege to attend the highest standard of behaviour is expected from cadets attending courses. Cadets who fall short of behaviour standards or do not attend the unit regularly through no good reason may have the course cancelled without warning.

Cadets who misbehave on courses are usually sent home by the course officer who will contact the parents and arrange for the cadet to be collected or transported home. The costs associated with a cadet being sent home through poor behaviour will be borne by the parents.

Competitions

The unit throughout the year competes locally, regional and national level at various Sea Cadet competitions. This is a very enjoyable friendly competitive atmosphere for cadets to participate in. Some competitions due to travelling distances and timings are held over weekends. These competitions are usually subsidised by the unit as unit finances allow. Typical contribution for a weekend competition is around £5.00.

Other Information

Parental Consent

Your child will never attend a day/weekend/week activity without your prior written consent. Usually in the form of the Sea Cadet Standard form T1.

It is important that this form is correctly filled in or each occasion as it also used as an identification document. Cadets attending activities with incomplete Parent Consent Forms are liable to be sent home.

Bullying

Bullying is frowned upon in the Sea Cadet Corps as it is in any other youth organisation and any bullying by either staff or cadets is dealt with in the highest extremes. Any report of bullying should be bought to the attention of the Commanding Officer who will investigate each and every incident and act appropriately.

Safety

Safety is one of the highest priorities of the Sea Cadet Corps, and fully qualified instructors undertake all activities. Cadets will always be issued with the relevant safety equipment (such as lifejackets) before an activity commences. Each of the sea cadet activities is regulated and subject to a full risk assessment. These publications are available for inspection should you wish to see them.

Request Forms

The unit is administered through a request form system this enables us to control the administration of over 65 cadets. Request forms are used for uniform changes, leave requests, promotions and awards. Cadets are taught how to complete the forms and each request is approved by the cadets’ Divisional Officer. The unit aims to teach cadets to be responsible for their own personal administration and cadets are fully supported by a dedicated divisional officer.

Identification Cards

The Sea Cadet Corps offers free of charge identification cards through the Citizen Card organisation. The ID Cards is required for all cadets visiting HM Naval Establishments and Sea Cadet Corps Training Bases.

This ID usually costing £5 each is a nationally recognised proof of age card. More information on the card can be found on www.citizencard.com.

As we use the naval and sea cadet facilities on a regular basis we must ensure that these ID cards are in place for all of our cadets as soon as possible. These cards will also be compulsory for cadets attending Area and National Courses and Competitions.

To get the card cadets are to hand a standard passport sized photograph to the Ships Administration Officer.

Supervision

The Sea Cadet Corps imposes very high standards on its staff members to ensure that any supervisor has the correct qualification for the activity, and is of suitable character to be involved with children. All unit staff/instructors are vetted through the Criminal Records Bureau and all references are always taken up. All staff are unpaid volunteers and willing give up their time for the benefit of the cadets in their charge.

Every member of staff has to sign up to the Sea Cadet Corps Code of Conduct and Child Protection Policy and each activity is regulated by the Sea Cadet Regulations, Training Instructions and Training Afloat Regulations for Safety which are available for inspection should you wish to see them.

Special Needs

All units will do their very best to accommodate any children with special needs. The unit will take cadets on board with special needs subject to the restrictions bounding the individuals personal safety and the safety of others. Please speak to the Commanding Officer if you have a child that requires special attention.

We do have cadets with learning difficulties, ADHD and other disorders. We request that any special requirements are made clear on the cadets joining form SCC Form P10 and on the SCCT1 should the cadet participate in activities outside of the unit.

Valuables

No valuables should be bought to the unit and any uniform should be clearly marked with the cadets name and unit number (SCC255). No responsibility can be taken for any item of personal equipment bought into the unit. You can hand any mobile phones into the ships office for safe keeping if required but mobile phones should be insured for loss or damage as the unit can take no responsibility for them. Any personal equipment lost is handed into a “scran bag” which is managed by the Stores Officer who may make a small charge (typically 10p per item) to recover the item held.

Please note that no personal equipment or loan uniform should be left at the unit unattended as the unit cannot take responsibility for its security as many different groups use the units facilities at various times.

Photographs and Publicity

All parents are requested to complete the photographic consent form appended to this pack. The unit reserves the right to use photographs/media of cadets participating in Sea Cadet activities for Sea Cadet publicity purposes. This may include publishing photographs in the local/national news papers, internal sea cadet publications, the Navy News, Unit Display Boards and Sea Cadet National, Area and Unit internet sites. Additionally at sometimes short notice the unit has opportunities with local, regional and national television and radio to promote the organisation.

The unit also hosts a You Tube channel on www.youtube.co.uk/northamptonscc, video footage of cadet activities is hosted on this site to give parents and supporters an insight into the cadet activities. Parents are encouraged to visit this site and any concerns regarding content should be addressed to the Commanding Officer.

If you object to the use of cadet photographs/media in this way please contact the Commanding Officer to discuss this issue. Please note that individual cadets names and details are never published without your direct consent. The unit has a policy of never disclosing cadet names or details on the internet.

Computer Data Records

The Sea Cadet Corps administers itself though a secure data-base called “Westminster”. It is a requirement that all parents consent to the cadet details being held this secure data bases to ensure that cadet details are accessible when on training courses etc. You are of course welcome to review these data bases at any time to look at records kept on your child. This can be arranged by contacting the Commanding Officer.

How can I help?

TS Laforey and TS Diamond have an active Parents and Supporters Association who assist the Unit Management Committee. New members are always welcome. For more information please speak to the Commanding Officer.

The Unit Management Committee

The Unit Management Committee (UMC) is the civilian section of the Unit. It takes care of the financial, legal and day-to-day running of things. The UMC is responsible for buildings, insurance, maintenance, public relations and the recruitment of staff and cadets. The UMC has very little direct contact with the cadets but often helps out wherever possible. The Chairman of the UMC is responsible for the Unit as a whole.

The UMC hold regular meetings, normally every other month. These meetings are open to all parents to attend as circumstances dictate. An annual general meeting is held once a year. ALL parents and friends are particularly asked to attend this meeting.

Financing the Unit

The Ministry of Defence (Navy) provide an issue of uniform free of charge (excluding boots, shoes and berets), and National and Local courses for Cadets. Apart from this the Unit is almost entirely self-supporting.

The UMC is a registered charity and rely heavily on the goodwill (and sometimes - work) of parents and supporters, (unfortunately there never seems to be enough of either) in order to provide a happy and instructive environment for the Cadets. For this reason, your involvement in the day to day affairs of the Unit is not only requested, but also very welcome indeed.

Please come along to the Committee meetings (as mentioned above), and lend your support. Who knows - you may even enjoy it! Even if you don’t want to take part in the Committee side of the Unit - if you have any particular talent or skills and a bit of spare time occasionally, there are always jobs of one sort or another to be done around the Unit for the benfit of our young people.

Complaints and Grievance

With any large youth organisation there are sometimes problems. Usually these can be dealt with easily and quickly by contacting the unit. The cadets are split into Divisions under the control of an experienced unit instructor. Most queries can be dealt with by the cadets divisional officer and they should be the first point of contact. However, if you have a query or complaint about any aspect of your child’s training or treatment whilst they are with the Sea Cadets that you feel cannot be dealt with by their divisional officer, please direct them to the Commanding Officer who will be happy to discuss the matter with you, and carry out any necessary investigation.

If either of these routes are unacceptable there is a complaints policy that the Commanding Officer will be happy to share with you if required.

Rushden Diamond Division

Rushden Diamond Division are a seperate unit linked to Northampton Sea Cadet Corps and is the newest expansion of the Sea Cadet Corps.

Rushden Diamond Division was a product of the success of Northampton Sea Cadet Corps in 2004/2005 when they won the award for the Best UK Sea Cadet Unit.

As Northampton Sea Cadets is based on an island the decision was taken to expand into local towns by establishing divisions of cadets linked to the hub unit.

The hub unit was to provide stores, training support and financial support through the existing management committee and command team.

The division in Rushden first paraded in September 2005 using a single classroom in Wrenn School in Wellingborough. The unit thrived and quickly outgrew the class room and occupied the school Gymnasium and Drama Studio. In March 2007 the unit moved to the Cadet Forces Building in Wellingborough and meet there on a Friday evening. The unit needed to find a building which they could use more and found a building in Rushden where they are situated now. The building they share with the Rushden Air Cadets and Army Cadets.

Now a year later the unit boasts over 25 cadets and has achieved impressive results in many major competitions.

In October 2006 the unit paraded with over 100 Sea Cadets through the town of Wellingborough to mark the true arrival of Wellingbrough Sea Cadet Unit!

The current Diamond Division SCC is the second Wellingborough Sea Cadet Unit. The first unit, TS Hydra, was established in the town in 1942 and was closed in 1949 after the second world war as premises could not be found to support them

HMS Laforey

The name Laforey originated from one of Lord Nelsons Captains at the battle of Trafalgar 1805. Son of Admiral Sir John Laforey, 1st Bart, and Eeanor, daughter of Colonel Francsis Farley. He was born in Virginia in 1767, and entered the service in 1780. He commanded HMS Fairy a 16gun sloop in the West Indies in 1791-1793, including the capture of Tobago in the Windward Islands in 1793. In 1793 Laforey was promoted Captain directly due to his father then Vice Admiral Laforey, sending home with dispatches after the capture of Tabago

In command of the 28 gun frigate Carysfoot whilst towing a Dutch merchant brig. He recaptured on the 29th May 1794, off Lands End, the 32 gun Castor, which had been taken nineteen days earlier and commissioned by the French. After casting off the Dutch merchant brig an hour and fifteen minute action ensued. The broadside weight of the British frigate was only 73 percent that of her opponent and therefore this could be regarded as a significant victory. During the action he only lost one man. However Francis Laforey did not receive the knighthood. The reason for this was that there was a dispute which immediately broke out as to whether the Castor could jutly be regarded as a prize or salvage. The Admiralty seem to have considered that she was salvage as she had not been taken into a enemy port and the crew were unfamiliar with their recent capture. Laforey and his officers, disputed the ruling and won the case after the rulling was overturned by the High Court of the Admiralty.

Commanded the Scipo 64 guns with his father, in the Leeward Island in 1795-96, and assisted in the capture of the Dutch settlements of Demerara, Essequibo, and Berbice in 1796.

In command of the 38 gun frigate Hydrain 1798 whilst accompanied by a bomb vessel and a cutter, Laforey was patrolling in the Cannell off of Le Harve. As day broke, lookouts on Hydra, which was far to windward of her consorts, sighted a small French squadron consisting of the 36 gun frigate Confiante and a 20 gun corvette and a cutter attempting to break out of Le Harve and escape to Cherbourg. Laforey ordered the squadron to close with the enemy, but the Hydra being the fastest vessel, rapidly left her consorts behind. The Frech ships had, by now spotted the British ships and hurriedly wore in an attempt to regain the safety of Le Harve.

At 6am, Hydra came under fire from both Confiante and the corvette, and returned fire. At 6.30am the French ships separated and Laforey now concentrated on attacking the Confiante. The two ships exchanged broadsides in a running fight until 7.15am when the French frigate, under full sail, ran herself on shore. Manoeuvring his frigate, Laforey continued to cannonade the Confiante until a falling tide forced him to haul off to deeper water. The action by this time had attracted attention from Le Harve, and troops began to assemble on the shore to prevent the Hydra approaching closer. On the following morning Laforey realised that the French crew had abandoned ship, and he dispatched boats to set fire to the grounded frigate. This action was completed without injuring a single man on the British ships.

In February 1801, Laforey was promoted to Post Captain and transferred in command of the 74 gun HMS Powerful. In 1803 Laforey was transferred to command HMS Spartiate a 74 Gun warship part of Rear Admiral Cchranes squadron in the West Indies in 1805. In command of Spartiate during the Battle of Trafalgar 1805 he was awarded a gold medal and the thanks of Parliament, and a sword of honour from the Patriotic Fund. During the battle three members of the crew lost their lives. He carried the standard in the first barge in Lord Nelsons funeral from Greenwich.

Still in command of Spartiate was Sir Richard Stracham at Rochefort in 1807-8, blockading Vice Admiral Allemands fleet, and in 1809 assisted in the capture of Neapolitan islands of Ischia and Procida. He was appointed Commander in Chief, Leeward Islands 1811-14 and died Admiral in Bright 1835.

Below are the dates Sir Francis Laforey achieved the various Royal Navy Ranks:-

Born 1767
Lieutenant 26 August 1789
Commander 22 November 1790
Captain 5 June 1793
IHHBT 1796
Trafalgar 21 October 1805
Rear Admiral 31 July 1810
Vice Admiral 12 August 1819
Admiral 22 July 1830
Died 17 June 1835

The name was given to a First World War destroyer in 1914. This ship hit a German mine in the English Channel in 1917.

The second ship to bear the name Laforey was a L class destroyer in the second world war. The cost of construction was four million pounds to which Northampton her adopted town contributed £750,000. Laforey was a destroyer leader and saw action in many Second World war actions. The ship was sunk on the night of 30 March 1942 by U223 in the Mediterranean, 180 men perished that night leaving 67 survivors in the water.

HMS Laforey was the last ship sunk by the enemy in the Mediterranean during the second world war, other ships lost after Laforey were by mines:-

1944 – 14 June HMS Sickle (Mine) Aegean,
18 June HMS Quail (Mine) Gult of Tarranto,
14 December HMS Aldenham (Mine) Adriatic.
1945 – 12 Jan HMS Regulus (Mine) Corfu.

Since this date the name has been held by a Grimsby fishing trawler, which was lost at sea in 1953.

The Sinking of HMS Laforey

On the 29th March 1944, Led by Captain Harold Armstrong DSO DSC & Bar in HMS Laforey, three British destroyers were on an anti-submarine sweep, steaming in line abreast on a north-easterly course out of Palermo with one and half miles between each ship. HMS Uster, commanded by Lieutenant Commander William Donald DSC, was to Starboard of Laforey, with HMS Tulmut under the command of Lieutenant Commander Norman Lanyon to port. The weather was fine, with a light north easterly wind and a slight sea, and the three ships were steaming at a leisurely 14 knots their Asdics sweeping the sea beneath them, and their crews at pre-dawn action stations. It was most unfortunate for Peter Gerlach that the destroyers were manned by men whose skills at U-Boat hunting had been honed in the North Atlantic, and beyond, over five years of bitter fighting. Their leader, Captain Harold Armstrong, was one of the most distinguished and experienced destroyer captains in the Royal Navy, his battle honours being won in the Norwegian campaign of 1940, in the Bismarck chase, and in the defence of the Russian convoys. This was a formidable opponent for a young U-boat commander on his second war patrol.

Gerlach, who with the approach of daylight had submerged only a few minutes earlier, was at periscope depth and scanning lazily around the horizon when he saw the destroyers approaching from astern. They were no more than three darker shadows against the gloom of the receding night, but even at their reduced speed the phosphorescent glow of their bow waves was visible and unmistakable. Not waiting to confirm his assessment, Gerlach took U223 deep.

Ulster was first to make contact, her Asdic operators reporting an echo bearing 070 degrees at 1,700 yards. Lieutenant Commander Donald immediately altered onto the bearing and reduced speed to 7 knots. When the echo was classified as submarine, he informed Laforey by signal lamp.

While Ulster held the contact, Laforey and Tulmut homed in on the bearing with their Asdics, Captain Armstrong was at first inclined to regard the contact as doubtful, possible just a school of fish, of which there were plenty in these warm waters. However, he ordered Ulster to attack while Laforey and Tumult stood by, Laforey acting as directing ship, with Tulmut providing a protective screen for the two. It was a copybook tactic that this experience group had used many times before, in practice drills and in earnest.

Lieutenant Commander Donald was only too keen to oblige. Taking Ulster up to 18 knots, he ran in and dropped a pattern of ten depth charges, five set to 350 feet and five at 550 feet. The sea in the destroyers wake erupted in a thundering convulsion of white water as the 300lb canisters of Torpex exploded in rolling succession.

Seven hundred feet below, U223, lay stopped and on silent routine. She was near her maximum recommended diving depth of 250 meters, her hull under twenty times surface pressure, and the ominous creaks and occasional tiny spurts of water from strained rivets were a warning. She bucked and rolled as the shock waves punched her, but apart from a few broken gauges glasses and bruised ribs suffered by the unwary, the boat came back on an even keel. Gerlech went ahead on the electric motors and crept away at 2 knots, making a bold alteration to port. The cat and mouse game had began.

Gerlach would have been well advised to stay where he was, for Armstrong was experienced in the ways of cornered U-boats, the sudden movement confirming for him that the target was no school of fish. He signalled Ulster to carry on attacking under his direction, which Donald did with enthusiasm. Time and time again Ulster ran over the moving target, now held in the beams of the other two ships Asdics, dropping patterns of ten charges as before. At 0900, Armstrong ordered Tumult to join in the attack, and the quiet Mediterranean morning was shattered by the constant boom of exploding depth charges, and the once placid sea became a seething maelstrom.

Beneath the waves, U223 twisted and turned like a startled eel. Gerlach, although he had little experience of the horrors of depth charging remained calm, and used every trick in the training manual. Held by Laforeys incident pinging Asdic, which was clearly audible in the boat, almost like a pointing finger, U223 was fighting for her life. Gerlahs only real hope of survival now was to shake off his attackers and escape north, and in desperation he fired a Pillenwerfer, an air bubble decoy. The ruse worked momentary, and Laforeys operators lost their target, but as U223 tried to creep away, the destroyers beam began to bounce off of the hull again.

Ulster and Tumult had by this time used a total of ninety six depth charges in their efforts to destroy their unseen foe, but without apparent result. Ulster made one more run, and then, with no more charges left, was reduced to acting as a spectator to the unfolding drama, her only contribution being her asdic transmissions.

Ashore, in the office of the Commander of the Allied Naval Base I Sicilian port of Palermo, the hunt for U223 wa being followed with great interest. One observer was Lieutenant George Martin DSC, commanding officer of the small Blankney class destroyer HMS Wilton. When news came through from Laforey that Ulster had exhausted her depth charges, Martin, whose ship had been stood down for the day, volunteered to take her our to replace Ulster. His request was granted, and by 1115, with some of her crew still on shore leave, Willton had cleared the moles of Palermo harbour and was heading out to sea. Within minutes, Martin had worked her up to 25 knots, and just before noon the cluster of three British destroyers was sighted ahead. Half an hour later, Wilton took Ulsters place on Laforeys starboard beam, and Leitenant Commander Donald was racing for Palermo to refill his depth charge racks.

Soon after she was in position, HMS Wilton's Asdic operator reported a contact bearing 026 degrees at 1750 yards, moving right at about 1.5 knots. U223 was in her sights. On instructions from Captain Armstrong to “attack with an extra deep pattern”, Martin took up the challenge eagerly, increasing speed to 15 knots for his run in over target, which was by then bearing 022 degrees at 2,000 yards, and drawing slowly to the left. Wilton dropped a ten-charge pattern, five set at 500 feet and five at 750 feet.

U223 had now been submerged under continuous attack for over seven hours, and conditions on board were rapidily deterioritateing. At the best of times, the Type VIIC was purely a war machine, but not designed for the comfort of its crew in mind. Much of the pressure hull was taken up with machinery, torpedoes and provisons, leaving the crew of fifty men precious little room to move around. Under attack by depth charges, with the watertight doors between compartments closed, in the dim glow of emergency lighting, and with all the devils of hell hammering on the outside, the hull became a steel coffin waiting for the undertaker to arrive. It was this way U223. Peter Gerlach, wedged in the control room that he had not left for seven hours, tried desperately to anticipate the fall of the British water bombs, altering first to port , then to starboard, but the boats forward speed was so slow that his efforts were largely wasted.

He went deeper. The depth gauge registered 242 meters, and the creaks and groans coming from the tortured hull as the tremendous underwater pressure strove to crush it flat were frightening. The men were reluctant to speak, whispering as if they were already in the presence of death, and when they moved it was slowly and hesitantly.

Wilton's first attack produced no detectable results, and with Armstrongs permission, Martin now tried two creeping attacks, which involved running over the target at 8 knots and firing charges from the forward throwers at the same time dropping others from the stern racks, in this way Martin was able to use his own Asdic to home in. The results were again disappointing. No wreckage, no oil came to the surface, not even a bubble of air. The to add to Martins frustration, he discovered his steering was not answering correctly, most probably damage by one of his charges bursting prematurely and very shallow.

Realizing that this chase could go on well into the night, thereby giving his wily opponent the chance to surface and escape at full speed under the cover of darkness, Armstrong, albeit reluctantly, radioed for reinforcements. The response was immediate, two more British destroyers, Belcathra and Hambledon sailing from Naples. A few hours later, the American Belson Class destroyers Ericsson and Kearny, accompanied by three high-speed submarine chasers PC556, 558 and 626, were dispatched from Palermo.

Meanwhile Laforey, Tulmult and Wilton continued to hound U223, taking turn and turn about at tracking and attacking. By late afternoon, all three destroyers were running low on depth charges and the remaining hours of daylight were slipping away. It was with some relief, therefore at 1600 Armstrong saw Blencathra and Hambledon coming over the horizon. By the time Blencathra, commanded by Lieutenant Richard Howard and Hambledon, commanded by Lieutenant Louis Toone, had taken up their stations both Laforey and Wilton were out of depth charges. Wilton sent to Augusta to replenish her racks, but Armstrong being the senior officer on the spot, remained with Laforey to direct the hunt. When the US Navy ships joined an hour and a half later, he was satisfied that, whatever transpired during the night, the enemy would not get away.

By the time darkness closed in, U223 had been the subject of twenty two attacks by the British Destroyers, three of which had completely exhausted their stocks of depth charges, and all without any appreciable result. The U-boat was still there deep below them, twisting and turning, but showing no signs of being a defeated foe. After dark, Armstrong considered it unwise to make any further attacks for fear of loosing contact with the enemy, decided to stalk her until daylight before resuming depth charging. He formed his four destroyers into line abreast, Hambleton on the port wing, the Belcathra, Laforey and Tumult to starboard. All ships had working Asdics, so there seemed little possibility that they would loose track of the U-boat. In the event of that unlikely happening, Ericsson and Kearny now under Armstrongs command, were ordered to conuct a box search centred on the British destroyers and between three and four miles off. The PCs were to patrol outside the box in order to cut off any avenue of escape which might be open to the U-boat should she surface.

In spite of this impressive and apparently impenetrable screen, Peter Gerlah succeeded in giving his pursuers the slip during the night. A frantic search ensued, but another hour passed before U223 was again caught in the probing beams of the Asdic and held there. She now appeared to be on a easterly course, closely tracked by four of the British destroyers steaming in line abreast and on a slow speed. There was no way out for U223, her demise only been a matter of time.

Around 0100 on the 30th March 1944 events happened in a rush. The Asdic operators in the various ships, by now very tired men, suddenly reported that the target had turned and was doubling back on her course through the line of destroyers. Lieutenant Commander Lanyon, in HMS Tulmut wrote in his report:

“From 0015 until 0400 Laforey was switching her searchlight on for short periods in the direction of the contact. At about 0100 a thin whips of smoke was seen rising and shortly afterwards the hull of the U boat appeared.”

Finally, after twenty-five hours under water, most of the time at a depth nearing 800 feet, constantly hunted by Asdic, and being on the receiving end of over 300 depth charges, U223 had come to the surface. It was a decision over which her commander, Peter Gerlach had very little choice. The air in the boat stank, being almost all stale carbon dioxide after passing through the lungs of fifty men over such a long period, the boats batteries were nearly flat, with barely enough power left to produce half a knot, and the bilges were overflowing from the numerous leaks in the hull. But what decided Gerlach to surface more than anything else was the fact that his men were completely exhausted and demoralised. It was better that they took their chances on the surface than to die a lingering depth beneath the waves.

When U223 broke the surface, the reaction by her hunters was immediate and fierce, aptly described by Lieutenant Louis Toone commanding HMS Hambledon:

“Rapid salvoes were fired throughout using short range spotting procedure. The first salvo was in line over, the second found the target. Further hits were observed and close weapons engaged the target. After 24 rounds of starshell there was a delay in supply resulting in a temporary lack of illumination during which time the submarine started to turn 180 degrees away in a tight turn and resume a northerly course. Fire was checked at 0110 until the submarine had steadied on its new course, when a new inclination was passed. At 0112 a direct ht on the conning tower produced a red glow and smoke. About this time a single explosion was heard. The was presumed to be from the submarine and no flash was observed. A minute later one hit was observed which produced smoke and a hit further aft producing a shower of sparks. Submarine then appeared out of control and altered course to the southward and momentarily stopped (confirmed by the absence of HE)”

Aboard Laforey it was reported that Captain Armstrong ordered the searchlight to be used to identify the surfaced u-boat for the guns. It was argued that this order lead to the destruction of Laforey.

U223 was caught in a torrent of fire from all four destroyers, which were using every gun that could be bought to bear, main armament and light weapons. Gerlach had one more move left, and this took, presenting his turn to the enemy and going full ahead on both diesels. As his ran, he played his last remaining trump card, firing a T5 from his turn tube at his attackers. The torpedo sped through the water searching for propeller noise. It was unfortunate for HMS Laforey – although not surprising, for she had led from the start – that she was the nearest to the fleeing U-boat. Gerlachs torpedo struck just abaft the destroyers funnel on the port side with devastating results, as described by the Laforeys first lieutenant Lieutenant T.W.Stocker:

“The U-boat made a recognition signal consisting of 4 or 5 red Very lights fired simultaneously. No notice was taken of this attempt at bluff. The third durst of pom pom fire appeared to hit as also did the forth or fifth round of 4.7”. Simultaneously there was a large explosion in Laforey and I was thrown against the side of the bridge and almost immediately blown up into the air, coming down on the B gun Deck. The ship had by then a considerable list to port and was still rolling over. I dived into the sea expecting the ship to roll on top of me, but when I had disappeared and the remainder had a 45 degree trim fore and aft and a 45 degree list to port. It slowly altered to a vertical position with about 60 feet of the stern showing. The ship finally disappeared about 2 minutes later.”

It appears that in the confusion of the fight only Blencathra witnessed the sinking of Laforey, and she was first to move in to pick up survivors. Her commander, Lieutenant Richard Howard reported:

“Of the living survivors picked up, eight were suffered from injuries. All were in a greatly shocked condition even though some had been only a hour and half in the water at a temperature of 57 degrees F. Artificial respiration was carried out on five apparently drowned persons, unfortunately with no result. Four were by Scafers method for ¾ of an hour and one by the rocking method for three hours. Novex oxygen apparatus was used on two cases. The actual cause of drowning could not be ascertained and external examination revealed nothing. Every survivor was immediately taken to a warm place, stripped, dried and wrapped in warm blankets. It is interesting to note that been so, it was least 3-4 hours before any of them ceased to feel cold. Of the injured, the fatal case appeared to be caused by explosives, two of the serious cases by damage when entering the water and the third by the effect of depth charge explosions.”

Although once the alarm had been raised by Blethcathra all ships joined in the search for survivors from Laforey, only sixty nine of the destroyers crew of 258 were rescued alive. Captain Harold Armstrong was not among them.

Gunner Stan Brow on duty in B turret managed to struggle free of the canvas back of the turret and climbed up the side of the heavily listing ship and was able to scrabble aboard a carly float to clear the ship. Stan reports the ship sunk in under two minutes.

For U223 the fact that Blencathra was the only witness to the torpedoing of Laforey proved to be the final nail in her coffin. Had the other British destroyers been aware of Laforeys predicament they would have almost certainly diverted from the chase. As it was, the continued their attack on the U-boat. Gerlach by this time concluded that their position was hopeless, and in order to save as many of his crew as possible, he ordered them to abandon ship, first sending his engineer, twenty year old Ernst Sheid, below to set the scuttling charges. Sheid and the others jumped over the side while the boat was still going ahead at full speed. Peter Gerlach, whose last words to Seid were that he “was no good without his boat”, stayed aboard, and was never seen again.

Twenty seven of U223 crew of fifty were rescued by Blencathra, Hambledon and Tulmult. Of those lost, a few had been killed by gunfire but, ironically, the majority were probably killed by the propellers of their own boat which, still going ahead at full speed, doubled back and ran through them as they struggled in the water.

Of the Laforey survivors some went down with the ship however many were blown-up in the water as Laforey sunk with her depth charges primed and still strapped to her deck; as the quarter deck hit 300m then 500m the depth charges blew the sinking ship apart and the men struggling in the water above.

And so on the 30 March 1944, ended the short career of HMS Laforey and U223. Laforey lying in the dark depths of the blue Tyrrhenian Sea and U223 blown apart by her own charges