A 'DAUNTING' EXPERIENCE - By Ray West (Ex-CPO Cox'n)

Old MS104 & MS108 hands will remember that the pennant number of WOODBRIDGE HAVEN was P58. In early 1961 the 104th paid a visit to Hong Kong. This was just after the new basin had been opened, and 'WOOHA' was secured alongside with the New Zealand frigate ROTOITI on her outboard side. At the time, I was serving on FISKERTON.

 After leaving harbour on the way to Singapore, we took up station on 'WOOHAs' port side. After a short time, it was noticed from the bridge that the pennant numbers on her port side had been changed to F53. Having been on Cyprus Patrol when UNDAUNTED and MAXTON collided off Larnaca, I remembered this was UNDAUNTED's pennant number. After confirming this, our skipper (Lt.Cdr R.D.D. Bamford RN) had to find a way of informing 'Captain IF' of his problem. After some consideration he had the following signal sent by light.

'From FISKERTON to WOODBRIDGE HAVEN' - Are you 'Undaunted' on the starboard side as well ?

Consternation followed on 'WOOHA's' bridge. The Captain was seen to arrive, swiftly followed by the First Lieutenant. After some head-scratching, the Chief Bo's'uns Mate was seen to make his way to the bridge, swiftly followed by 'No1' and Buffer gazing over the port side at the pennant numbers. Situation understood, the entire Squadron was brought to a halt whilst a doughty AB, or maybe two, went over the side on a stage and repainted the offending letter and figure.