CCF Events & Activities

Royal Navy Section Visit Historic Chatham Dockyard

On Friday 1st May, the Ash Manor CCF Royal Navy Section, accompanied by several Army Cadets, travelled to the Historic Chatham Dockyard on the River Medway in Kent for an unforgettable overnight visit. Pushing the boundaries of what constitutes a school trip, these students had the opportunity to not only visit, but to spend a night, aboard a World War II destroyer!

After arriving on Friday evening, the cadets boarded HMS Cavalier, a World War II destroyer which became our home for the night. The cadets were given a guided tour of the ship, learning about her impressive naval career from her launch in 1944 through to her decommissioning in 1973. Following the tour, they relaxed together in the mess before settling into the original sailors’ bunks for the night, thankfully fitted with modern mattresses rather than authentic wartime discomfort.

On Saturday morning, the cadets headed into the Historic Dockyard to explore the museums and ships. The first stop was HMS Ocelot, a 1960s diesel submarine, where the cadets thoroughly enjoyed squeezing through the narrow hatches and compartments while learning about what life beneath the waves would have been like for submariners.

The group then visited the famous Ropery, which has been producing rope for the Royal Navy for over 400 years. The cadets took part in a rope-making session and successfully produced their own 10-metre strand of rope, which staff described as “first rate” and suitable for display as a presentation piece. The cadets also walked the entire quarter-mile length of the historic production floor, gaining an appreciation for the scale and craftsmanship involved before modern machinery streamlined the process.

The next stop was HMS Gannet, a steam-powered warship launched in 1878. Although parts of the lower decks are currently undergoing renovation, the cadets enjoyed exploring the ship and learning about its long history, including its later role as a training vessel from 1903 onwards.

After lunch, the cadets continued exploring the remaining exhibits and museums around the dockyard. Highlights included the RNLI Boatshed, home to around 30 historic lifeboats, including replicas and vessels linked to Grace Darling. One of the final activities of the day was the immersive “Hearts of Oak” experience, an interactive walking cinema tour that told the story of how HMS Victory was designed and built. The cadets thoroughly enjoyed the audiovisual experience and the chance to learn more about one of the Royal Navy’s most famous ships.

Before departing for Ash Manor, the cadets had time to browse the dockyard gift shops and reflect on an enjoyable and educational visit packed with naval history, teamwork, and memorable experiences.