"Bouncy" Castle reflects on a career defending the Islands

In 1982 HMS Dumbarton Castle sailed straight from build to take part in the Falklands conflict, clocking up on the way a Royal Navy record, the longest ever single unsupported transit – 8,600 miles.

Twenty-five years later the Islanders showed their appreciation for the Patrol ship by allowing her to carve her name into the shoreline opposite Government House, an honour granted to very few other ships.

Member’s of the ship’s company gave up 250 hours of their time to heave and manhandle the 130 tons of rock needed to spell out the ships name in letters 15m high and 7m high.

In fact, because tradition demands that ships given this privilege must appear in date order, the crew of the affectionately-nicknamed "Bouncy" Castle had to first move the lettering for HMS Endurance 200m to the left.

As ‘Falklands guardship’ – as she’s commonly referred to – it is Dumbarton Castle’s duty to protect the islands and the UK’s territorial waters, including fishery stocks, oil and gas installations, to a 200-mile limit.

Commanding Officer Lieutenant Commander Ian Lynn speaks proudly of his ships position in the hearts of the Islanders, and of the special relationship that they have with the crew:

"I am in the very enviable position of having a ship crewed entirely by volunteers."

Dumbarton Castle is to be replaced by new purpose-built Patrol vessel HMS Clyde in September, but a minor delay in the programme meant that the Castle had to stay on until the end of the year. A signal was posted for volunteers to see the year out, and the response was tremendous.

The Falkland Island patrol vessel contributes to the same overarching objective as all the other forces under the command of Brigadier Nick Davies, Commander British Forces South Atlantic Islands. Namely, the continued deterrence of any third-party interference with the Islanders’ self determination.

On a day-to-day basis this includes settlement visits to some of the more remote places around the islands, anchoring up and demonstrating a military presence. Lt Commander Lynn says:

"We are always made phenomenally welcome. Every time we stop we are given tea and cakes, even if sometimes we have to wait for a couple of hours for it to come out of the oven."

Other tasks that await the new patrol vessel are support patrols to South Georgia, and troop insertion exercises, Dumbarton Castle has two more of these to perform before she departs the South Atlantic waters to return to the UK, and to offer a military asset to the Falkland Island Government, if it should need it.

It will be a sad time when the Castle leaves, says the CO:

“It’s a fantastic part of the world to be in, doing a worthwhile job in a vigorous climate with challenging navigation, some of the waters here were last surveyed in 1846. But HMS Clyde is an awesome ship with some specially designed kit, and with up to date technology.”

But until the time comes to leave, there is still a lot of work for Dumbarton Castle to do, including carrying troops from the First Battalion The Rifles to San Carlos for Sunday’s memorial service.

And at some stage, Lt Commander Lynn will have to decide which settlements will get to be the last to ply the crew with tea and cake.