I joined the Ashanti along with a full ships company at Yarrows in Glasgow. We were accommodated at RAF Sanderling at Abbotsinch.
We did breakdown in the Carabean when the Gas Turbine 6 blades shattered. I was on the wheel at the time as boson mate. This occurred in the bay of pigs, whilst the russia/USA threat was on.Alfie shortman the Butcher was surprised by hot metal bits fallling on him whil;lst sun bathing on the sponson
We were eventually towed home.
At Portland we trialed the Wasp and lost one overboard
during this period
We deployed first commission to the Persian Gulf in 1963 and our First Lieutenat RAS IRVINE was the best first Lieutenant I served under. We visited the Gulf and abandoned ship alongside, when the air conditioning failed to Jufair. I remained onboard as ganagway staff.It was a good comission

Hi James,
I too picked up the Ashanti builders in 1961 We were treated like Royalty or so I thought as we were transported by overnight sleeper ariving the following morning. The Comanding officer was Comander Hepworth who was affectionately know as Hard Over Hepworth for obvious reasons. I was the First Lieutenants (Neil Irvine) flunky for the second part of the commision and can remember that I was in Neils cabin with the tannoy on when it was anounced that Jack Kennedy had been assasinated.I was in the boat store in the after funnel when we lost the gas turbine and shot out of the store like a fly of a turd. I believe we were doing full astern trials at the time. My recolection is that we were not towed but escorted back to the UK by an RFA. On the way back we transited huricaine Cilia which was an experience worth forgetting.When we lost the Wasp overboard I was in the Ops room at the time (the PRI was Petty Officer Redmile)In the time it took to hit the flight deck, flip over and hit the water the pilot had started his Mayday,Mayday call. We were due up the port of London to show off the Wasp helicopter so the only other one that was in existance (without an engine) was broght down by road and we straped it on to the flight deck and pretended it worked. My best mate was the Stores Assistant who full name was Laramy Charles Thomas Garrett. I wonder what ever happened to him?
When we paid off I got the draft of a lifetime much to the displeasure of the older crew. Looking at the list of drafts, alongside my name it said HMS Victory ...........................(Ship), Yes I was a guide on the older commisioned warship in the world. I worked it out that I was in fact being paid more that Lord Nelson was paid serveral years earlier.
Always ready to swap a yarn

John Bates

I think I remember you. The one who used to borrow the First Lieutenant Brown shoes to go ashore. I also remember his relief, who when we went through the Suez Canal, Munday was his name. Briefed us all to lock up our possessions because of the Gully Gully men enterprise and lost his wallet.
I was a leading seaman guide on HMS VICTORY (Ship) 1968/69.
You are right,we were escorted back by an RFA.

I remember a fellow Spurs fan Brian Kinder, lost touch with him, really enjoyed the comission.
Nice to here from you. Will try to rember more