Duchess of Cornwall on 'Astute' visit to Furness (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Duchess of Cornwall on 'Astute' visit to Furness

1:14pm Friday 24th October 2008

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

• Play Video

THE union flag was flying high in Furness this week as the Duchess of Cornwall returned to step on board one of the world’s most advanced submarines.

The duchess visited BAE System’s shipyard in Barrow on Tuesday to meet members of the crew of HMS Astute, which she named last June at a prestigious ceremony watched by more than 10,000 people in the town.

Full story and more photos in The Gazette

See link to video...

Her Royal Highness enjoyed a private tour of the vessel with its captain, Commander Mike Walliker, and chatted to members of the crew, BAE Systems personnel and their families at a reception.

Isobel Wylie, six, a pupil at Pennington Church of England School, was one of more than 100 guests, greeting the Duchess and handing her a posy.

Her father, Commander Ian Wylie, is Astute’s second in command. His wife, Amanda, of Spark Bridge, said: “Astute is a huge engineering feat. It’s nice to celebrate the achievements of the crew and company. "

Astute, a 7,400 tonne sub, which will support land forces, land attack using Tomahawk cruise missiles, and intelligence gathering.

The Duchess visited Astute’s accommodation, galley and weapons storage compartments during her one-hour tour with Commander Walliker.

Speaking at the reception, he said: “She thought it was incredibly complex, which it is, and she was really quite surprised with how far towards going to sea we really are now.”

Commander Walliker added: “This is the Duchess of Cornwall’s submarine. The ship’s company may spend two years on board but she’s the sponsor throughout its life, which is 25 years.

“This has been a credit to everybody, as well as every member of the ship’s company, and it’s been enjoyable to at least shake her hand. She’s been brilliant with the children and talked to everybody.”

Photo: MEETING the family of HMS Astute captain Commander Mike Walliker – his wife Charlotte, daughter Lucy and son, Jonty.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)