(August 2001)
International Festival of the Sea
Between August 24th and 27th hundreds of vessels - from tall ships to warships - descended on Portsmouth Dockyard for the 2001 International Festival of the Sea.
The impressive Royal Navy presence included the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious, six Type 42 Destroyers, five Type 23 Frigates and a handful of minesweepers, patrol craft and training vessels. Several of these ships were open extensively below decks, giving the public a glimpse of life aboard a modern warship.
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary service was represented by the training ship RFA Argus while also on display, although not open to the public, was the experimental trimaran RV Triton.
Nine foreign warships were present at the Festival, including NATO Standing Force Atlantic, led by the Portuguese frigate Corte Real. However, by far the most high profile visitor was the American destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill, on her first overseas deployment.
This year's Festival was the first of a series of Tri-Service events planned to replace the Royal Tournament. Consequently, in addition to the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, there was significant involvement from both the Royal Air Force and the British Army.
It is likely that the Festival will return to Portsmouth in 2005, marking the 200th Anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar.
For a full list of vessels attending click here.