I joined her as 3/0 on the Tyne and then went out off the Tyne for sea trials which lasted forever before coming back to test the two cranes SWL . From there went up to Invergordon to await work - but nothing came .

There was talk about fitting a heliport but never materialised.

My abiding memories of my time on there was ( apart from being fascinated by the RN storerooms and working forge ) was the managements problems trying to "marry" shoreside management with M.N. structure - shoreside not too happy about us wearing uniform !!

Still have the press handout once we had passed our sea trials and were open for business . Quite an experience albeit a short one - a month or so . I paid off in Invergordon to catch the train down to Penzance but that is another story .