In 1982 The British Government dispatched a Naval task to engage the Argentine Navy and Air Force before making an amphibious assault on the Island. Although the skirmish lasted just 74 days, British vessels were deployed to the Falkland Islands to patrol in the aftermath. The H.M.S. Achilles, a frigate serving the British Navy, was one of those patrol ships.
In February, 1983 it was decided that the “lads” on board the H.M.S. Achilles needed a break, they had not had any shore leave for several months and time off the ship was overdue. A tiny, uninhabited Island in the Caribbean was selected for this excursion, and it had been chosen very carefully. The “lads” were at that point a little stir-crazy and needed to let off steam, hence the need for a remote location. The little uninhabited Island the Royal Navy chose as the perfect place to set loose a bunch of restless young men was Bequia.
I am sure that as the frigate approached Admiralty Bay the Officers realized that a boo-boo had been made; the anchorage was full of yachts, houses and businesses dotted the bay and hillsides and, oh yes, it looked as though the Island might even be inhabited! It was too late to change plans, and the eager young men started pouring ashore. The lads were delighted, they had envisioned a deserted Island and instead they would be spending a few days surrounded by bars, lots and LOTS of bars.
Those sailors got absolutely shit-faced, and remained that way for the entirety of their shore leave. At Lower Bay the frigate’s M.P.s were kept busy; each night they would break up the inevitable rum-fueled fights on the beach, and each morning they would pick up seriously sun-burnt men who had passed out in the sand the previous day. For some reason I got lucky and wasn’t over-run by sailors at the Pizzeria, I fed a lot of the Officers but the young lads were more attracted to Lower Bay.
February has always been the busiest month for tourism on Bequia, which meant that the Island was hopping with visitors. I found myself hoping that tourists experiencing Bequia for the first time would realize that it was usually a fairly quiet and peaceful vacation destination, something it definitely was NOT during the few days the Achilles remained at anchor. Sailors were seen swinging from the Local Color Boutique sign until the chain broke, there were road accidents and fist fights. The lads seemed oblivious to physical danger in their drunkenness and behaved accordingly. In other words, they wreaked havoc on poor Bequia!
Other than De Reef at Lower Bay the Harpoon Saloon at Ocar was the establishment hit hardest by the sailors. I was at the Harpoon Saloon the night Bill and Barbara offered their lobster special, and the bar was packed with very drunk young men. One sailor, with encouragement from his buddies, was attempting to ride one of the nurse sharks in the pond below the restaurant. I could hear Barbara screaming, “Get off of my f…ing shark you f….ing imbecile!” she yelled, “get the f..k off!” I listened as one chap encouraged another to order some lobster, saying, “c’mon mate, you never had it before so give it a try!”. The lobster took a while to prepare and the two mates were getting drunker by the minute. Finally the food arrived, and by then the entire bar was excited about the sailor’s first taste of lobster. They gathered around him as he chewed, waiting for his response. The drunken lad finally said, “Tastes just like fokin’ pork, mates, just like fokin’ pork!” Everyone laughed, but knowing Barbara I bet it WAS “just fokin’ pork! ”
To this day people talk about the visit of the H.M.S Achilles. For a tiny uninhabited Island in the Caribbean, Bequia had turned out to be a sailor’s dream come true!
Hi Judy, I remember that visit so well,, I stumbled on your website by mistake, so sorry to here of about mac’s death, stunned. You won’t remember me, Kelly and I built our house up in spring back in 1981 after selling our boat Kelly down. It seems a very distant place now, and reading your stories about nolly and son Mitchell etc is brill. You missed out hurricane Allen, all of us yachties taking refuge at nulleys House lol, long long night.
Also remember bill and Barbara really well, and her hunters chicken! And listens conch fritters.
OMG, I was a member of HMS Achilles ships company at that time and vaguely remember this, possibly because I was worse for wear myself and I send my belated apologies. Good story though.
Apology accepted!
I am thinking you are mistaken with the date!! I was an Able Seaman on Achilles and I believe we actually visited the island early 1985!! We had been to the Falkland but as a guard ship after the main conflict. We also visited again when we were West Indies guard ship! I remember this as this is where I learnt to Scuba Dive at Bob Sachs Dive Bequia!! Which I must add is still going as I piped back this year on a cruise ship!!!
The date could be incorrect, I didn’t keep a diary back then!
I was a member of HMS Achilles when we called there as West Indies Guardship (WIGS) in 1986. I wasn’t onboard Achilles during the Falklands, so can’t comment on the visit mentioned. i do remember what a lovely island it was and volunteering to work ashore during the day clearing a load of brush to make a playground (I think?).
We did drink a LOT of rum in the evenings there though – and hope one day to return, love to all!
Yes it was the end of February1986 ,the first year my wife , Jean & I visited Bequia, it was wonderful to have found this beautiful unspoilt tropical island. That is until one morning we woke up to find the harbour overwhelmed by crowds of British sailors & the British vessel HMS Achilles anchored in the harbour.
All the bars were crowded, the ship had just come up from the Falklands patrol for “Rest & Recuperation” . We were horrified that our holiday would be spoiled by the invasion of a load of drunken sailors. But not so they were great fun, we were staying in Julies Guest House , & that evening in Rocky’s bar there was the best ever sing song, their “Zulu war chant” was something never to forget.
The Ships company arranged a huge barbecue on the beach at de Reef & all were invited. We were also invited aboard for a tour of the Achilles & behind the scenes it was impressive to see this was the British Navy at work & it made us very proud.
We have returned to Bequia almost every year since & in some of the bars doted around the Island still hangs the HMS Achilles Shield, it brings back many fond memories.
So Happy your experience was a positive one! I personally had a few good laughs while that ship was in port, those chaps sure did need to unwind…..
Yes the H.M.S. Achilles that was it.
Quite a few came to go diving with Bob and me and it was very funny to see them with their whet suites and lots of weights…
Later on we went diving for some conchs and Bob and I was invited to the ship and I made a huge amount of conch fritters that day
Lots of fun!