Daring to say goodbye to Glasgow

Jan 22 2009 By Frank Hurley

THE latest warship to leave Glasgow has been revealed as a bit of love boat.

As the 190 crew of Daring said farewell to Glasgow their captain Paul Bennett revealed some of his crew had found true love in the city.

The Royal Navy sailors have spent six months in Glasgow while the final adjustments were made on the new Type 45 destroyer, the first of six to be built at Scotstoun and Govan shipyards.

The men and women were billeted in city flats and naturally sampled the delights of Glasgow bars and restaurants.

The love struck Glaswegians would not have been allowed aboard Daring which wont get an HMS insignia until it is officially in service, expected at the end of the year.

And as Captain Bennett left for Daring's home port of Portsmouth, he revealed to waving crowds: "We've had a good and enjoyable relationship with Glasgow.

"Some of the crew have found true love and will undoubtedly return to the city.

"Staying in Glasgow these last few months has really been anb enjoiyable period for the ship's company.

"The people of Glasgow have made them very welcome."

Captain Bennett saluted BVT for producing such a fine ship at the ship yards where the workforce swelled from 2100 in 2003 to 3500 today working on the s6 billion Government order.

BVT employees gathered on the quayside to wave Daring off and received cheers of thanks from the Royal Navy crew onboard.

BVTs Type 45 Programme Director, Angus Holt, said: "This is a fantastic day for BVT and the workforce, both here and in Portsmouth, who have played a pivotal role in creating such a tremendous ship.

"Daring really is the shape of things to come for the Royal Navy and it is a very proud day for everyone involved."

Christina Martin who completed her apprenticeship working on Daring said: "Daring is the ship that I learned my trade as an engineer on and while Ill miss having her on the yard it is still great to see her finally leave Glasgow and start her future with the Royal Navy.

"Throughout my training I was always taught that we needed to make sure that the finished product was the very best it could be.  I feel we have achieved that with Daring so am very proud to have played a part in building her.

If you found true love with a Daring sailor, call our the Glaswegian hotline on 0141 309 3552.