Ships and yachts on a busy weekend in the Sound

And still they come to join the French, Admiral RAdm Bossu’s, forces for Exercise Catamaran.

This morning’s arrival was the French ship Tonnere – to join her sister ship FS Dixmude (presently alongside in Devonport). FS Tonnere is anchored south of the Breakwater (seen in the photo, above, from the Hoe, just to the right of the Breakwater Fort).

Some of the larger yachts in the foreground are probably getting a bit of practice in before leaving tomorrow afternoon on the 2800+ mile Round Iceland Race – the course is comparatively simple – depart from Plymouth Sound, leave Iceland to starboard and return to Plymouth Sound. The Round Iceland Race is run by the Royal Western Yacht Squadron and is said to be the most demanding route of all Corinthian (i.e. amateur – no professional sailors) yacht races in the world.

………..

Shortly after Tonnere anchored, the French general purpose frigate, FS Bretagne, passed the breakwater and she is now alongside in Devonport too.

FS Bretagne leaving Pearl Harbor in 2024 (USN photo). The white ‘building’ to the left of her bow is the Pearl Harbor National Memorial and covers the wreck of the battleship, USS Arizona, sunk by the Japanese on 7th December, 1941. This attack was the trigger for the United States formally joining the Allies in the Second World War.

............

The first of the Exercise Catamaran ship to sail – the Spanish frigate ESPS Cristobal Colon & the Norwegian one - HNoMS Otto Sverdrup – sail from Devonport tomorrow (Sunday) morning.