CAKE and candles are being broken out to mark a York anniversary today – even though the “birthday girl” is thousands of miles away.

The celebrations are taking place off the Falkland Islands, where HMS York is carrying out “deterrent duties” in the South Atlantic, a deployment that acquired a significantly higher profile when diplomatic tensions rose recently between Britain and Argentina.

But that will not prevent the ship’s company today marking the 25th anniversary of the Type-42 destroyer being accepted into service, on March 25, 1985.

Its skipper, Commander Simon Staley, who is from Doncaster, summed up the mood by saying: “To be a Yorkshireman, and to be in command of this fine old lady, the 12th warship to proudly wear the name York, is a rare privilege indeed. “She may be 25 years old, but to know I drive the fastest destroyer in the fleet, and that we still pack a significant punch via missiles and guns, gives great heart.

“The ship’s company are really terrific too, and display all the grit, character and pride synonymous with the fine people of Yorkshire.” He said “Team York” would be visiting their affiliated city and county in the autumn.

York’s Lord Mayor, Coun John Galvin, recalled how he and Sheriff’s Consort Tony Burnett were able to go on board the ship in Hull last June, shortly before the crew exercised their right to march through York’s streets as part of their freedom of the city, bestowed in 1991.

He said: “We thought the members of the ship’s company we met were absolutely terrific people. They are obviously doing a very difficult and very important job in the South Atlantic and we wish them God speed home.

“I think as far as the freedom of the city is concerned, it does reinforce an important link and long-standing tradition, which is appreciated by the crew and the people of the city.”

Since that ceremony, the ship and crew have been busy.

They sailed for the South Atlantic at the end of November, visiting Gibraltar and Rio de Janeiro en route; the latter visit included the opportunity to do some much-needed building work at an orphanage for abandoned street children, plus providing Christmas presents and decorations.

After arriving at the Falklands, the destroyer has been on patrol with other Royal Navy vessels, conducted an exercise with a French naval task group, demonstrated naval gunfire support for an infantry company, given Army and RAF colleagues a day on board ship, exchanged pleasantries with an Argentine warship in international waters, and helped in the rescue of a sick trawlerman.

But today was a day for celebration, as Commander Staley said: “We will have cake and candles, and I will toast her very happy birthday – I hope you will find time to do the same.”


A long and proud history

THE present HMS York is the 12th to bear the name, which is one of the oldest ship names in the Royal Navy.

The last of the Type-42 destroyers to be built for the Royal Navy, the ship was launched on June 20, 1982, at Wallsend. Accepted into service on March 25, 1985, she was commissioned on August 9 at Rosyth, her base port at that time. She is now based at Portsmouth, pictured.

Her funnel badge, a red cross with lions passant, is from the coat of arms of the city of York. The ship’s crest is the White Rose of York. Her motto, Bon Espoir, means Good Hope, and was the motto of Edmund Langley, the first Duke of York (1341-1402), who was the fifth son of Edward III.

The ship’s sponsor is Lady Gosling, and HMS York’s charities include the children’s ward at York Hospital and St Leonard’s Hospice. She has affiliations with bodies including Nestlé UK Ltd and the York Lions.

The previous HMS York was a cruiser, which had a brief but very active Second World War career, ending as one of the casualties in the battle for Crete when she was disabled at Souda Bay on March 26, 1941. Later that spring she was scuttled to prevent her falling into enemy hands.

• See The Press tomorrow for memories of sailing with the “new” HMS York a quarter of a century ago.


On active service

THE deployment to the South Atlantic is far from the first challenging mission HMS York has faced in her quarter century of active service.

The destroyer has taken part in many exercises, dramatic sea rescues and anti-terrorist patrols in that time.

In 2003 the ship was sent to The Gulf, where she provided air and surface protection for Allied forces during the war with Iraq. Her duties included acting as an escort for HMS Ark Royal.

In 2006, HMS York took on the delicate task of patrolling off the coast of the war-torn Lebanon, a mission which included rescuing hundreds of British nationals and other refugees from Beirut and taking them to safety in Cyprus.