A Morning Never To Be Forgotten

I was very privileged to have an opportunity of being part of the team who filmed the docking of HMS Kent as it entered the Historic Dockyard at Chatham.

Tony and I left home at 2:30 a.m. and made our way down to catch the tender at Sheerness Docks which was to take us out into deeper water to board HMS Kent.

As we boarded the tender a couple of hours later, which was sent to pick us up, we set off in the dark towards where the Ship which was waiting in deeper waters. As we approached the Ship, absolute fear and panic took over. How was I going to get up the side of the ship? Had I given this enough thought? Was I going to make it? When the tender pulled up against HMS Kent, it was like my worst nightmare - could I be taken back and leave Tony to it, was my first thought. How was I supposed to get from this little boat up to that enormous Ship?

Then a rope ladder appeared out of the darkness and dropped at the side of the tender. How was I going to get up this I thought. My mind flashed back to school days of when I couldn’t climb up a gym rope, and here I was 50 years later, looking at a swaying rope ladder wondering if I was going to find the strength to get to the 3rd rung! Tony grabbed my camera and equipment and that was hauled up. I insisted that he went first and watched his every move while he was busy watching that his video equipment was not going to be mishandled as we watched it being hauled up. I can remember thinking it would not have been so bad if the rope ladder had laid against the side of the Ship instead of which it clung to the side at the top and then just hung in mid air because of it’s shape which meant it swayed in the night breeze.

Then it was my turn! I got some well received tips from the guys on the tender. I could see it on their faces that they were thinking the same thoughts as myself - how dare they - now I need to prove myself to them as well! I gingerly put my foot on the first rung - what was I doing here? Where was the staircase or a wooden ladder that didn’t move? Where was my mum? All sorts of questions were flashing through my mind. I just kept thinking God find me the strength to do this. Well, I made my way up gripping onto every next rung, also wondering if I could prise my hands off the rope and move up to the next rung! I seemed to be hanging in mid air for a long time, trying to push my body against the rope so that I could try and press my face into the next rung. I thought of it all believe me! I did get encouragement from the guys at the bottom of the ladder and those who were at the top ready to greet me. I couldn’t look down, didn’t want to look up, so I just looked ahead at the side of the Ship. Then what seemed an eternity, I was nearly there and all I can remember are faces and outstretched hands ready to haul me in. How do you get your leg over at the top, supposing I fall in a big heap were my next thoughts. I took some deep breaths and tried to smile. Well you would with so many good looking faces beaming down at you. How could I let myself down! They were great, so many hands, whose was I going to grab but why did I worry. The crew were wonderful, so many seemed to make a grab at part of my arms and I made a graceful landing and then wondered if the fear and trembling I had experienced, showed on my face. I needed the ‘ladies’ room that was for sure!

Once on board, Tony and I were treated like VIPs and were made very welcome, we were introduced to the Officers and Captain and was taken below and given refreshments. Then we were taken to the bridge where it was all happening, Officers explained the jobs they all had to do and we were allowed to wander with our cameras filming whatever we thought would be of interest, the results of which can be seen on the video. I remember thinking how small we all were aboard such a mighty ship and how much responsibility the crew had manoeuvring this mighty package through the estuary ready for docking in the Historic Dockyard.

As we approached the docking area, we could see people watching and waving and I was totally in awe of everything around me, thinking what an amazing experience we have had, how many people get such an opportunity, just being part of that special day when the HMS Kent came to town.

I stood on the bridge of HMS Kent, a Ship that has an impressive 16 Battle Honours wondering if I would do this again given the opportunity. Would I? You bet, I wouldn’t have missed the experience for the world.

Wendy Empett