TS ROYALIST FINAL SAIL INTO PORTSMOUTH

TS ROYALIST received cheers and Mexican waves from cadets and onlookers as she sailed past Fort Blockhouse, with the Paying Off pennant flying triumphantly in the air.

TS Royalist was commissioned in 1971 by HRH The Princess Royal and built by Groves and Gutteridge Ltd in Cowes. Since then the ship has sailed 212,850 nautical miles – nine times around the world, taking 900 Sea Cadets on an offshore voyage every year. In 1971, TS Royalist received the Lloyd’s Register Yacht Award for the ‘best constructed, best designed and best equipped vessel for its purpose.’

Over 100 cadets, volunteers, staff and supporters gathered for the farewell ceremony, with speeches from Guest of Honour Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope GCB OBE DL, President of The Marine Society and Sea Cadets, and Lieutenant (SCC) Angie Morris RNR, Commanding Officer of TS ROYALIST.

Leading Cadet Gareth from Northern Ireland District TS BROADSWORD, Dundonald Sea Cadets, was in for a surprise when he was presented with the Martin Henwood trophy by Captain Sea Cadets Jonathan Holloway, Royal Navy. Gareth was awarded the trophy after demonstrating the best Sea Cadets qualities of the year whilst on board ROYALIST. 

As Captain of the ship Lieutenant (SCC) Angie Morris RNR described, “the day has been one of mixed emotions. We are very sad to see the old ship go, but excited for the new ship next Spring.” Our new flagship, named after TS ROYALIST in her honour, is currently being built at Spanish shipyard Astilleros Gondan S.A, to replace TS Royalist, to ensure future generations of Sea Cadets can benefit from an offshore experience.