MEDITERRANEAN FLEET LEAVES MALTA FOR THE SUMMER CRUISE : 1953 [Allocated Title]

I. Opening ceremony onboard the Sea Scouts Guardship TS Egmont in Malta. C-in-C Mediterranean, Admiral Lord Mountbatten (who was also Chief Scout) comes onboard with Lady and Pamela Mountbatten. He inspects the ship. Countess Mountbatten performs unveiling and naming ceremony, followed by a short service and blessing on the ship and ship's company conducted by the Reverend J W Orr. LA to fluttering pennant bearing the Scout's badge. The Mountbattens depart in a whaler manned by diminutive Sea Scouts.

II. LS to HMS Glory, on her way home to Britain after service in Korean waters. She passes through the mole and enters Grand Harbour, steaming left to right past the camera on Fort St Elmo. She is manned for entering port, and is accompanied by two beam tugs, the nearest of which is Roysterer. Army vehicles are parked aft on Glory's flightdeck. HA as the destroyer HMS Chieftain (D.36) enters Marsamuscetto, followed by HMS St Kitts (D.18) - out at sea lies a cruiser and a number of frigates. The Headquarters Landing Ship HMS Meon (F.269) enters Grand Harbour. The Indian cruiser Delhi approaches the outer mole, firing a salute, and enters Marsamuscetto, followed by HMS Gambia. Four frigates approach in line ahead, the Indian Cauvery (F.110) and Kistna (F.46) in the van - beyond these ships are another four frigates steaming in line abreast. HMS Theseus enters Grand Harbour followed by the flagship of the Mediterranean Fleet, HMS Glasgow - a Dragonfly helicopter orbits the carrier, perhaps taking pictures. Cut to LS down the length of Grand Harbour from HMS Glasgow, now alongside - astern of her is Theseus, and on the opposite shore are HMS Cumberland and HMS Bellona. RIS Delhi passes Glasgow as the Indian cruiser leaves harbour, followed by HMS Bermuda. Theseus is assisted in unberthing by harbour tugs, and moves slowly past the camera - the Sea Fury FB.IIs of 802 Squadron are ranged on deck - a fine study of a light fleet carrier. Glasgow follows Theseus out of the harbour with HMS Cumberland coming up the rear. Final LS to Cumberland's starboard bow as Glasgow turns to pass through the mole.

III. VIPs gather on HMS Glasgow anchored off Piraeus for a luncheon with C-in-C Mediterranean: they include the Greek Under Secretary for the Navy, General Gregorio, Mr A E Lambert, the British Charge d'Affaires, Mr G H Grande, the Canadian Charge d'Affaires, Rear-Admiral Earle USN, Rear-Admiral W H Selby, Mr W Manning, HM Consul Piraeus, and Colonel G M Bower, the South African Charge d'Affaires, and Rear-Admiral K Satsos, RHN. On separate occasions there are visits by Rear-Admiral Selby and Vice-Admiral Lappas, RHN, both of whom are received with full honours. HMS Manxman is visible in the background of some shots.

35mm