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OPERATION RHEOSTAT ONE - ROYAL NAVY MINESWEEPERS ARRIVE AT PORT SAID TO HELP CLEAR THE SUEZ CANAL [Allocated Title]

Catalogue number
  • ADM 4752
Production date
1974-04
Place made
GB
Subject period
Creator
Category
film

Object description

HMS Abdiel and three Ton Class minesweepers arrive at Port Said and commence work clearing mines in the Canal.

Full description

Passing MS of the Egyptian passenger ship Mecca capsized in the canal - it is lying on its starboard side in the shallow water. Cut to MS off the starboard bow of HMS Wilton (M.1116) in Port Said harbour, the old Canal Co buildings in the background - the stripe on Wilton's funnel denotes that she is the half-leader. Sequence showing Abdiel entering the harbour - a local caique passes diagonally left to right in the foreground. Abdiel (N.21) comes to anchor near the old Suez Canal Company buildings, assisted by a tug. Cut to Abdiel as Rear-Admiral Hassan of the Egyptian Navy is piped aboard. On the focsle, Commander Husband RN and Rear-Admiral McCauley USN talk to the press. LA.CU of Abdiel's badge, a winged mine. LS-MS fine on the port bow of an approaching vessel - possibly an ex-Russian Yurka Class minesweeper. Further shots of the British Water Clearance Group entering Port Said - Abdiel, Wilton, Maxton. Sequence as in ADM 4751 - divers operating from a Gemini inflatable detonate mines - HMS Bossington hove to in the background. Sequence onboard Bossington as she joins Maxton and Wilton alongside Abdiel. Code flag 'I' (I am coming alongside you) is hauled down. One of Wilton's officers looks out from her bridge as Bossington goes alongside - above him, on top of the bridge, is a visual direction indicator to allow the boat crews to readily check their bearings. Sequence showing divers working from one of the Gemini inflatables. Interior sequence in the operations room of HMS Bossington showing two sonar screens and their operators - one of the operators is shown making a 360 degree search. CUs of radar screen and operator. Lieutenant Turner and his operations officer lean over a plotting table talking to the boat's crew via VHF. CU of Lieutenant Turner speaking into his microphone. LA shot from a Gemini, to Bossington bows on - the dinghy circles round to cross her stern onto the port quarter - the minehunter is getting underway with a pilot onboard, a focsle party hosing down the anchor. LS from the minehunter to Gemini proceeding at speed along the canal - the inflatable is flying the White Ensign.

Physical description

16mm

Associated people and organisations
Associated places

Fair Dealing

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