The British are coming!....to visit the Naval Museum!

Photo By Max Lonzanida | Royal Navy Officers Lieutenant Commander Kathryn Jacques and Lieutenant Commander Rupert Taylor, both assigned to the HMS Queen Elizabeth, visited the USS Wisconsin (BB-64). The tour was hosted by the Hampton Roads Naval Museum’s Volunteer Coordinator, Darcy Sink and Volunteer Dan Chamberlain. (US Navy Photo by Civilian Public Affairs Officer Max Lonzanida/Released).  

PORTSMOUTH, UNITED KINGDOM

09.18.2018

Story by Max Lonzanida  

Naval History and Heritage Command

Museum Educators and Volunteers staff the front desk at the Hampton Roads Naval Museum. During the summer months, visitors from near and far flock to the museum for a free chance to explore over 240 years of Naval History within the museum’s gallery. This morning, the museum had the opportunity to welcome two visitors from across the pond; Lieutenant Commander Kathryn Jacques and Lieutenant Commander Rupert Taylor, both naval officers with the Royal Navy assigned to the HMS Queen Elizabeth (RO8). Their visit was coordinated by the museum’s volunteer coordinator, Darcy Sink, and included a guided tour of the USS Wisconsin (BB-64) and a tour of the museum’s gallery.

Both met briefly with one of the museum’s Educators, Zach Smyers, who exchanged stories about his time in the US Navy and time spent in England. Thereafter, the two met with Dan Chamberlain, a volunteer aboard the USS Wisconsin for a special guided tour. There was a heightened level of excitement for both Naval Officers, as they both looked forward to this guided tour of one of the four Iowa-Class Battleships. Dan Chamberlain did not disappoint, and his guided tour included bits of the Wisconsin’s service history and some insights to the capabilities of her main 16-inch gun batteries. The group followed Dan up narrow ladders and through the Wisky’s upper decks for a close up view of the Tomahawk and Harpoon missile launchers. Thereafter, the group proceeded below decks for a glimpse inside the wardrooms, inside one of the machinery shops, and through the mess decks. Both officers were amazed at the ships overall condition, and made some correlations to ships they had previously served aboard.

Both Royal Navy Officers are deck officers aboard the HMS Queen Elizabeth (RO8). The aircraft carrier is the largest warship built thus far for the Royal Navy. She docked earlier this week at Naval Station Norfolk. The carrier is the Royal Navy’s newest, and was commissioned in December 2017. The ship previously made a visit to Naval Station Mayport in Florida. The ship’s visit to Norfolk was delayed by Hurricane Florence, and both remarked that the ship experienced rough seas associated with the hurricane and, as a consequence, arrived fashionably late. The ship is here to conduct flight tests with the F-35B Lightning II aircraft as part of their Westlant 2018 tour. They are expected to return to its homeport of HMNB Portsmouth later this year.

About the Museum:

The Hampton Roads Naval Museum is one of ten Navy museums that are operated by the Naval History & Heritage Command. It celebrates the long history of the U.S. Navy in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia and is co-located with Nauticus in downtown Norfolk, Virginia. Admission to the museum is free, simply by-pass the ticket line and take the stairs or elevator to the museum on the second deck. The museum hosts a robust educational program for area schools and commands, with free educational programs to area schools aligned with state curriculum standards, a travelling sea chest program, a premier Lego outreach program, and historical presentations for area commands. To inquire, contact their Educational Director, Laura Orr at [e-mail] or at [phone]. The museum is also host to a robust volunteer corps, who serve as docents, support special events, and assist in museum archives. To inquire, contact their Volunteer Coordinator, Darcy Sink at [e-mail] or at [phone]. Lastly the museum proudly hosts military ceremonies, such as re-enlistments, retirements, and promotions for area commands aboard the U.S.S Wisconsin and in the museum’s gallery. To inquire, contact their special events coordinator, Tom Dandes at [e-mail] or call [phone].

• Date Taken: 09.18.2018
• Date Posted: 09.18.2018 17:30
• Story ID: 293397
• Location: PORTSMOUTH, GB