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Documentary
A major BBC television documentary series, first shown in 1976. About the life on board the fourth HMS Ark Royal, a British aircraft carrier. It followed the ship on a five and a half month deployment to North America in 1976 & the follow up years later to find out about some of…
As the Ark makes preparations to sail on the morning tide, the ship's company take the opportunity to hit the bars and clubs of Plymouth for one last time.
As the deployment gets under way, the air squadrons embark from their shore bases. Meanwhile the ship's company settle back into messdeck life.
Plans for the ship's 21st birthday celebrations are interrupted by a call for assistance from an American submarine.
Ark Royal undertakes a Replenishment At Sea, and when a welcome mail drop arrives thought turn to those back at home. Spirits are kept up by Ark's own TV station and it's biggest star, Wilf.
An insight into the work of the ship's chaplain; and the ship's arrival in San Juan provides the opportunity for a beach party and a night out on the town.
There is concern when it is suspected that somebody may have fallen over the side in rough weather. Officer training continues onboard, and life in the wardroom is highlighted.
Seven weeks into the deployment, the squadrons are practicing bombing runs at the Vieques Weapons Range and there are preparations for a "sod's opera" in the hangar to entertain the crew.
The ship's arrival in Mayport gives the crew the opportunity to sample the delights of the USA in it's Bi-Centennial year. One group travels to the Everglades to check out the wildlife, while a steward marries his American sweetheart.
After leaving Florida, the ship's company look forward to their return to Plymouth. While one rating is allowed to fly home to see his pregnant wife, another pays the price for trying to do the same without permission.
After six months at sea, the Ark Royal returns home to Plymouth. As the crew are reunited with their families, one sailor is instead on his way to the naval detention centre.
The BBC follow-up programme - Sailor Eight Years On - revealing the sad fate of the now decrepit Ark Royal in dock and going in search of its crew members to discover how their lives have changed.
Also present we find another Ark Royal documentary, this one made in 1971 by the Central Office of Information and titled Med Patrol. At only 15-minutes it’s, of course, nowhere near as detailed or nuanced as five hours worth of Sailor, but then it provides an interesting comparison point.
No cast information available.
Devonport is the largest naval base in Western Europe, home to most of the surface fleet and the navy’s Trafalgar-class nuclear-powered submarines. It’s also an important base for training and it supplies, mends and refits all kinds of naval craft. In this brand new six-part Quest commission we follow the lives of the people who work at Devonport. This series focuses on the people, their relationships and unusual challenges they face day to day running one of the most famous Royal Navy bases in Europe. From organising a VIP Royal visit, to preparing for the Armada Ball which is one of the largest events of the year and the daily maintenance of ships, crews and guns; if you want to see how the navy does its job, come to Devonport.
Built especially for the challenging conditions of Antarctica, HMS Endurance is the Royal Navy’s only ice patrol ship and its only one capable of breaking into the icy wastes of Antarctica. We join the elite, 140-person crew as they embark on a four-month expedition in perhaps the most extreme and hostile environment on the planet. Follow the extensive and diverse duties of the Royal Navy and the British Antarctic Survey, and the trials and tribulations that the frozen continent brings. In the first episode, Return to the Ice HMS Endurance prepares for another season in Antarctica. Captain Bob Tarrant has taken her there for the last two years but in 10 days time he must hand over to a new captain and is determined that the ship is ready for the ice before he leaves. Faced with a series of engine problems, can the crew get the vessel ready for both a long and dangerous journey and a new commander? Then bad news from home causes further problems as the ship leaves the Falklands.
The story follows fisherman Ed Collier, who is highly protective over his family, which includes wife Claire and daughter Abbie. However, when a rich young man by the name of Ryan Wilson starts to take an interest in his daughter, Ed feels her becoming increasingly distant and fears he may lose her for good.
