The Falklands Memorial Garden, originally reclaimed land from the harbour of Gosport, was opened by the former Prime minister Margaret Thatcher. The bust is that of Lord John Fieldhouse of Gosport, the most senior submariner in the history of the Royal Navy - He conducted the Falklands War from Northwood

BATTLE HONOURS

Cape of Good Hope 6th - 10th January 1806

HMS DIOMEDE - THE HISTORY

The first ship to carry the name DIOMEDE, (at that time and still pronounced DIO-MEAD) was launched at Bristol on 18th October , 1781. She was a 5th Rate Man O’ War of 887 tons and carried 44 guns. Just one year after being launched she saw action with HMS QUEBEC (50) off the coast of America and captured the American ship S. CAROLINA (40). She also saw action in 1794 when with HMS CENTURIAN (50) an indecisive engagement was fought with two frigates and two corvettes of the French Navy. From 1974 to 1795 she was employed in operations against the Dutch in the East Indies, but on 2nd August, 1795 she was wrecked off Trincomalee, having been deployed to begin fresh operations against Ceylon; fortunately all the crew were saved.

The second DIOMEDE was launched at Deptford on 17th January, 1798. This was a bigger model being a 4th Rate of 1,123 tons and 50 guns.

It was this ship which gained our Battle Honour when in Sir Home POPEHAM, S Squadron at the capture of the Cape of Good Hope from 6th to 10th January, 1806.

Between June and October that same year, still with the Squadron, the ship saw action in the River Plate; at the capture of Buenos Aires and at the attack on Montevideo. (Still pronounced Monte - video, was this the reason for the visit in 1972) She then served worldwide; on the Jersey Station, as flagship, in 1808, from 1809 to 1811 on the East Indies Station and finally from 1813 to 1815 on the North America Station.

It was here, in December 1814, that the crew earned the New Orleans Campaign Medal for their boat operations on Lake Borgne. Finally, in August 1815, at the ripe old age of 171/2 she was taken to pieces at Sheerness.

Continued