August 1983 and one year on from the Falklands conflict, HMS Illustrious (R06) passes through the western entrance on a courtesy visit to Dover. Completed in
1982 she relieved HMS Invincible after the conflict ended. Offically classed as a Landing Platform Helicopter or LPH, otherwise known as a through deck cruiser, three Sea King and one Westland Wessex
helicopter are ranged on the flight deck. She is escorted by an unidentified frigate as the tug Dominant or Diligent stands by. She called at the port again in 2001. HMS Illustrious is to be
withdrawn in 2014 when HMS Ocean completes her refit. She faces an uncertain future as various ideas to convert her into a disaster relief ship, a visitor attraction at the port of Hull or even a
commonwealth yacht have yet to come to fruition. Just as likely is a trip to Turkish breakers.

The writing on the photograph refers to an anti-clockwise circuit of the “UK flying the flag” promotional voyage she undertook in August
1983. 

HMS Explorer (P164) arriving at speed, slows to enter the Eastern Entrance on the afternoon of the 14th April 2014, seen from the cliffs above the Eastern
Docks. An example of the P2000 class training vessel that often call at the port, she left later the same day.

The type 23 Duke class frigate HMS Lancaster (F229) alongside the Cruise Terminal helping to promote the Holiday & Leisure Show 2014. Currently the only
class of frigate in Royal Navy service. She was completed at Yarrow in 1991.

Photo courtesy of Michelle Rolfe.

HMS Puncher (P291) passes the cruise vessel Costa Voyager upon her arrival in 2010. This class of vessel is seen
quite regularly here in Dover.

Puncher is assigned to the London URNU. For more information scroll down to HMS Trumpeter.

RFA Largs Bay (L3006) at Dover on the 30th May 2010. Cyclists on a fundraising ride for “Help for Heroes” were landed on the beach by landing craft from the
vessel which then sailed later the same day. More pictures below.

The Royal Marines Parachute Display Team

MTB 102 in the Tidal Basin in the summer of 2012.

She is one of the very few remaining Motor Torpedo Boats that served with the Coastal Forces of the Royal Navy during the Second World War.She was constructed
in 1936 and was the prototype vessel of her class.

HMS Kent (F78) preparing to come alongside the Prince of Wales Pier in September 2012. Fresh from her £24 million refit she honoured the airmen who took part in the Second World War
“Channel Dash”. She was alongside for four days and was open to the public for a limited time for tours of this modern warship and to meet her crew and Commander, Ben Ripley. The “Channel Dash” or
Operation Fuller, took place in March 1941, when the German Pocket Battleships Scharnhorst, Gneisnau and Prinz Eugen returned to Germany from Brest, France, supported by heavy aerial and surface
units and despite valiant efforts by our Fleet Air Arm, safely made the passage home.

For more information visit the Fleet Air Arm Museum’s website:

 www.fleetairarm.com/history-of-channel-dash

Trumpeter (P294) is one of fourteen in the P2000 class of Coastal Training Craft. They usually have on board elements of the University Royal Naval Units
(URNU). Each of the vessels is assigned to a specific URNU, Trumpeter being attached to Cambridge.

HMS Bulwark (L15).

Seen at anchor in the outer harbour in 2010. She is one of two Albion class vessels officially designated as Landing Platform Dock vessels or LPD’s and was completed in 2004 by BAE
Systems. 

HMS Smiter (P272) another of the P2000 class Coastal Training Class, she is assigned to the Oxford URNU and was constructed in 1986.