The 'HMS Charger'

 


The 'HMS Charger' is a Royal Navy in-shore patrol vessel, one of 14 similar Archer-class vessels. She was built in 1988 by Watercraft Limited in Shoreham-On-Sea and fitted out at Vosper Thornicroft in the United Kingdom.

The vessels sailed as part of the Royal Navy Auxiliary Service. Their small size (a mere 20m long), versatility (equipped with two Rolls Royce turbo engines) and high speed (up to 20 knots) made it possible for them to visit numerous small ports around the British Isles. They were associated with various universities in Britain, providing opportunities for third-level students interested in a career in the Royal Navy Reserves with a sea-training experience.

The 'HMS Charger' had an association with the Liverpool University Royal Navy Unit and her principal role was as a cadet training vessel for students there. She had an image of a liver bird on the side of her wheelhouse similar to the image on the famous Liver Building, showing her close connection to the city where she was based. As well as her 5 full-time Royal Navy crew members, she had a Royal Navy Reserve Training Officer and could cater for a full complement of 12 students.

Four of the Archer-class vessels had together entered Wicklow Port, escorted by the local RNLI lifeboat, the 'Annie Blaker' in the 1990s. This unusual visit of ships from the Royal Navy fleet raised a great deal of interest from townspeople at the time.

I recall, in particular, the 'Charger' paying a courtesy visit to Wicklow Port on 15 July 2012 after a stopover in Arklow. The ship's crew had developed a good relationship with the local RNLI station house over the years. Its Operstions Manager then, Des Davitt presented the ship's Commander with a framed picture of the 'Annie Blaker' lifeboat before the ship"s departure for Milford Haven.

It was this visit that inspired me to paint a mural of the 'Charger' on the East Pier wall, news of which was greatly appreciated by her crew. The flag displayed on the ship's stern on my mural is that of the Royal Navy ensign. The liver image is also featured on it.

The following year, on 28th and 29th June, the 'HMS Charger' and her sister ship, the 'HMS Example', attached to the Northumbrian University Royal Navy Unit, visited Wicklow. The 'Charger' was also to pay visits to Howth, Cork, and Wexford where a commemoration was held for the men from Wexford who had fought and died in World War One. She also took part in NATO training exercises in the Baltic Sea.

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