CIRCULAR DIPLOMACY

Back in 1967 the British Empire was looking as frayed as the economy. My father was Captain of Her Majesty's Ship Hermes, East of Suez, but not by much. Show strength here, there, back to here, do not pass Gan. Aden was due to go in 1968, but would it last that long? Hermes and her aircraft were called on to support the modest British Forces ashore there supported by her motley back-up of 5-6 frigates. Hermes had been heading East to the Pacific, Victorious, another heroic old carrier was heading home from there. For weeks both ships despatched sortie after sortie up country mostly at camel-head height. Every time they left they were called back for an encore. The well-know writer Michael Frayn saw this photo of Hermes circling to maintain position so her flock could come home to roost more easily and penned the following article which from memory went into one of the Sunday papers.

SIGNAL TRAFFIC AT SEA......................

CINC Singapore too Ubiquitous

urgent amendment sailing orders. Courtesy call South Africa ports cancelled. Re embark all coloured personnel and Chinese cooks debarked in anticipation South Africa visit and alter course for Aden. Render all necessary assistance required by local civil and military or authorities to maintain order during disturbances, report position an estimated time of arrival Aden.

U to CINC

Your signal received and understood. Wilco. My position 3.15 N 79.44 E. ETA Aden early June.

CINC to U

Cancel my last signal. Re debark Chinese cooks and proceed with all possible speed Hong Kong. Make show of strength during civil disturbances. Equip shore patrols with anti-riot weapons. Standby to take over Hong Kong Kowloon ferry services from strikers report position and ETA Hong Kong.

U to CINC

Wilco. Have fetched round to take up easterly course and my position is once again 3.15 N 79.44 E. ETA Hong Kong - Tuesday week.

CINC to U

Most urgent. Abandoned course Hong Kong and make all possible speed gulf of Aqaba. Standby southern approaches to Straight of Tiran outside territorial waters establishing British presence but in view of delicate situation in area establish it with maximum circumspection. Report position and ETA Tiran.

U to CINC

Wilco have come back round onto westerly course again and am back at 3.15 N 79.44 E. ETA Tiran mid-June.

CINC to U

note amendment previous signal. In view of local customs and feelings debark all Jewish personnel before proceeding Tiran.

U to CINC

Wilco. In view possible papal pronouncement on situation advise whether should keep RCs below deck?

CINC to U

Urgent amendment previous signals re-embark forthwith all Jewish personnel debark coloured personnel and proceed with maximum dispatch Macau establish British presence outside territorial waters in support of British Council. Report ETA Macau.

U to CINC

Wilco. ETA Macau uncertain but expect to be back at 3.15 N 79.44 E in approximately 10 minutes.

CINC to U

Urgent amendment to amended orders political situation in United Nations re Aqaba question makes immediate courtesy call African port essential debark all white personnel and proceed forthwith Mombasa.

U to CINC

Wilco. Advise whether Chinese cooks classified white or coloured in Mombasa?

CINC to U

Correction. Proceed shanghai establish discreet British presence in support of two British diplomats being booed by crowd. In view local sensibilities re-embark Chinese cooks.

U to CINC

Wilco.

CINC to U

Cancel the signal. Proceed at once Gibraltar make discreet show of strength outside territorial waters off Algeciras.

U to CINC

Show of strength impossible without full complement of Chinese cooks.

CINC to U

Re embark Chinese cooks forthwith. Astonished not re-embarked already.

U to CINC

Wilco. Advise whether should circumnavigate world east about or West about.

CINC to U

Westabout calling at Malta for major refit imperative you reassure local population HM government still using base.

U to CINC

Wilco. Have kept helm hard over and almost back at 3.15 N 79.44E.

CINC to U

Correction. Proceed Eastabout via northwest passage so as to pass Iceland protect British trawlers suffering harassment by Icelandic gunboats

U to CINC

Wilco.

CINC to U

Your signal very faint

U. to ?CINC

My signalman very dizzy but British presence at 3.15 N 79.44 E almost overpowering situation here entirely under control.

CINC to U

Well done Ubiquitous. But in view general world feeling debark all personnel with British nationality before proceeding further.

1967 HMS Hermes, at sea as HMS Ubiquitous

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