Navy

HMS Scott arrives in Portsmouth USA for 400th anniversary celebrations

HMS Scott has arrived in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, USA, for the 400th anniversary celebrations of the founding of the city.

Britain's biggest survey ship sailed from New York, where she had been representing the Royal Navy at Fleet Week, the annual event honouring the US Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps.

HMS Scott will be taking part in the celebrations alongside contingents from the USS Cheyenne, a Los Angeles-class submarine docked at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

The parade, set to attract thousands of spectators, will see approximately 1,400 individuals marching in celebration.

Local US media have branded the event "a Royal Navy reunion 50 years in the making".

In 1973, Portsmouth welcomed HMS Minerva, whose crew marched in celebration of the city's 350th anniversary, commemorating its historic settlement.

According to US media, among the ship’s crew was then-Prince Charles who observed atop a parade viewing stand.

Some crew members from HMS Minerva who were present during the ship's visit 50 years ago are expected to gather in the city to participate in the celebration.

In an official capacity, HMS Scott will be representing the Royal Navy, with its Twitter account saying: "It's great to be here!" with a star-spangled banner and Union Jack emojis in tow.

Having recently navigated through one of the world's busiest waterways on the planet, sailing out of New York harbour, the Twitter post revealed a timelapse of HMS Scott covering the last few miles before arriving in Portsmouth.

This left some Twitter commentators confused, with one user commentating: "Think your sat nav playing up. Have you entered the correct postcode. Ahhh, I see what happened – you entered New Hampshire".

The 131m-long vessel is the largest survey vessel in Western Europe and the fifth largest in the Royal Navy.

The survey ship can remain at sea for 300 days thanks to her crew rotation system.