Aberdeen cadets were given a taste of a life on the high seas yesterday when they paid a visit to one of the Royal Navy’s most advanced war ships.
HMS Diamond, a type 45 destroyer which is twinned with the Granite City, was visited by young people from the city’s TS Scylla in its home port of Portsmouth.
They were joined on deck by Aberdeen’s Lord Provost Barney Crockett.
The 8,500 tonne, 500ft vessel lasted visited Aberdeen in November 2015.
Yesterday the cadets were shown the modern weaponry while Mr Crockett presented the ship’s captain Commander Ben Keith with a ceremonial plate from the people of the city.
Sub Lieutenant Peter Richie, the commanding officer of the cadet group, said that the youngsters had “loved” the trip to England’s south coast.
He said: “They have had a fantastic time down here and have been amazed at the advanced capability of the ship.
“The trip itself has been a great adventure and we were really grateful for the time given to us to show us round the ship.”
Provost Crockett pointed to the city’s connections with the destroyer- noting that the third Don crossing was renamed the Diamond Bridge partly in its honour.
He said: “I was delighted to pass on the thanks of the people of the city for all the hard work the Royal Navy do to keep us and our city safe.
“I presented the captain with the plate which he assured me would be put on display in the ship.”
