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T.S. Itchen, Winchester Sea Cadets
Winchester Sea Cadets are part of a National Youth Organistion, our unit name being TS Itchen. We have been based at Worthy down camp since 2006. We are named after HMS Itchen (see below for ship history).
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Unit Activities
The Unit is constantly growing in it's new location and continues to build a good relationship with the local community.
As an active Unit, the Cadets are involved in all aspects of Sea Cadet Training.
Specialisations:
Seamanship, Marine Engineering, Writer/Stores, Physical Training, Drill, Cook Steward, Chartwork and Navigation, Communications and Meterorology.
Proficiencies:
Shooting, Expedition Training, Band, Rock Climbing, Abseiling, Piping, Tunneling, Archery.
Boatwork:
Pulling, Powerboating, Dinghy Sailing, Kayaking, Offshore Sailing.
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Unit Staff
Lt (SCC) R Dyer RNR - Commanding Officer
Lt (SCC) G Bassett RNR - First Lieutenant
PO (SCC) R Williams - Training Officer
CPO (SCC) C Dyer - Boats Officer
PPO (SCC) L Rice - Stores Officer
Band Master
CI. C George - Admin Officer
PO (SCC) L Basett- OIC Juniors
CI M. Newton - Unit Instructor
CI A. Phillips - Unit Instructor.
Rev J Cruickshank - Unit Padre
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History of Worthy Down
Worthy Down was built on the old Winchester Racecourse, which was acquired for the purpose in August 1917.The airfield opened August 1918 for use by the RAF, who retained control until 24/5/39.
On this date control passed to the Admiralty,and the station became HMS Kestrel.During WW2, in addition to the FAA use,Supermarine used the airfield from 12/40 until 3/44 for Spitfire development flying. Post war flying was reduced and on 9/1/50 the station closed after 2 years on Care and Maintenance.
In June 1952 the airfield was reopened as HMS Aerial II with the Air Electrical School in occupation.No flying units were based there although visits by communications aircraft were common. Eventually in November 1960 the Air Electrical School left, and in December 1960 the airfield was closed.
After closure the site passed to the Royal Army Pay Corps, who continue to occupy it today. A helipad is in use in a corner of the old airfield, but there is no other aviation activity although many of the original buildings remain.
Worthy Down is the home of the Adjutant General Corps, which is one of the largest Corps in the British Army and deals with its most vital resource - its personnel. It achieves this by employing high quality professional soldiers who in addition to being soldiers have secondary trades in Administration, Policing, Education and Law.
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HMS Itchen
The First HMS Itchen
HMS Itchen was a River class Destroyer, she was built by Cammell Laird shipbuilders and launched on 17 March 1903. She was around 555 tons; The yard built four ships of the same class, Foyle (vessel number VO 649), Itchen (VO650), Arun (VO651) and Blackwater (VO652). The yard described Itchen as a ‘Torpedo Boat Destroyer’. She had 2 x 18 in tubes and 1 x 12 pounder (12 cwt.) and 3 x 12 pounder (8 cwt.) guns. Ironically, Itchen was torpedoed by the German Submarine U99 in the North Sea on 6th July, 1917.
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The Second HMS Itchen
HMS Itchen was a River Class Frigate built by Fleming & Ferguson Ltd. (Paisley, Scotland), launched 28th December 1942. Some writers described her as a Corvette. HMS Itchen (K227) was torpedoed by a German U boat while on convoy duties in the North Atlantic, south of Greenland. The forward magazine blew up and 227 men, including 81 survivors the Itchen had rescued from HMS Polyanthus and the Canadian destroyer HMCS St. Croix, went down with HMS Itchen. There were only 3 survivors, 2 from Itchen and one from Canadian vessel.
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The Third HMS Itchen
This boat was a River Class Minesweeper. She was launched on 30 October 1984, but sold to the Brazilian Navy less than 4 years later on 8 April 1998. Her displacement was 890 tonnes. She was one of 12 minesweepers built to the same design by Richards of Great Yarmouth. After commissioning they were posted around the UK. HMS Itchen was based at Southampton.
River Class minesweepers included HMS Wessex, HMS Sussex, HMS Claverhouse, HMS Itchen, HMS Arun and HMS Spey
Itchen had a crew of 30, including 7 officers.
HMS Itchen is now owned by the Brazilian Navy and is called BRACUI.
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