I served on several Derby Winner Class boats RCT Coronach, RCT Hyperion, RCT Captain Cuttle and one or two of the Barnaby Rudge Class.

We were based at HM Gunwharf near HMS Victory and beside shore station HMS Vincent.

Mostly we were deployed patrolling danger zones of coastal gunnery ranges especially Tank shell proving ranges at Lulworth just East of Weymouth, also at Castlemartin range East of Milford Haven and based in Pembroke Dock.

Towards the end of my tour I was sent with a small fleet of boats up the West coast to the Range off Whitehaven after being weatherbound in Penzance Harbour for several weeks due to Sou'Westerly gales!

I have a few interesting stories about times on the various boats named above if anyone is interested.

Cheers,

Captain David Bowley Ex British and Australian Merchant Navies.