4 ms·

A helicopter and boats to perform a rare ceremony at the Tower of London

105 points by zeristor 3y ago

throw0101d 3y ago
Some videos of previous events (no helicopters though): * https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAS9j1BWGiE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAS9j1BWGiE * https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThRYOVxUTJg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThRYOVxUTJg Seems that the ceremony occurs a couple of times per year, and in recent years allied navy ships also partake in it as some friendly pomp: * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constable_of_the_Tower#Constable's_dues https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constable_of_the_Tower#Constab...
- wdb 3y ago
  Probably not Dutch navy ships lol
poulsbohemian 3y ago
> What was once a hated tax on mariners is now an exciting ceremony performed very occasionally, usually when there’s a navel vessel visiting London. Did I just overlook it in the article, or why is this event occurring this week? Some special visitor in town?
- throw0101d 3y ago
  It occurs anytime a Royal Navy ship visits London, which is once or twice a year. (In recent years allied navy ships also partake in the ceremony.)
  - yawnxyz 3y ago
    What kind of ships usually visit London / why visit (since it’s kind of land locked)?
    - seabass-labrax 3y ago
      Greenwich used to be a very important Royal Navy training centre, so it is not too unsurprising in that context that there might be some errands to do just a little further up the Thames.
    - MarcusE1W 3y ago
      There is a small navy base just outside Tower Bridge. But every now and then some larger Warships moor next to the Belfast (am Museum ship). That’s quite central already and also Tower Bridge has to open for them, which is probably part of the fun. Sometimes a cruise ship moores there as well. It seems to be popular.
ValentineC 3y ago
I looked through the entire article, but couldn't find out why there would be a helicopter or boats this time. Searching for the ceremony on Google News didn't yield any results either. Would anyone know why?
- fauigerzigerk 3y ago
  I think it's a recognition that the Royal Navy also has pilots and not just sailors. Also, army and navy recruitment goals haven't been met since 2010. Can't hurt to put on a bit of a show!
  - Citizen_Lame 3y ago
    How will the show help? Army and navy recruitment has been outsourced to a private company. They are not good at recruiting, either intentionally or simply incompetent.
    - seabass-labrax 3y ago
      It could inspire people to apply of their own accord rather than being approached by the armed forces recruitment (I didn't know it had been outsourced; that is interesting). It's a very plausible situation - a military demonstration locally was very enjoyable for me, and I would absolutely go again. If they were trying to recruit me, though, they shot their bolt by admitting in response to my queries that their encrypted radios utilised, shall we say, less than ideal cyphers :)
      - some_random 3y ago
        Maybe they were hoping you'd join in order to fix them /s
        seabass-labrax 3y ago
        Unfortunately, there was apparently no such eagerness to improve the equipment. The officer who demonstrated the gadget to me did not seem at all concerned that his platoon had to have physical access to a radio in order to revoke its encryption key! One might like to think that the foe will be an officer and a gentleman, yet somehow I don't think they are going to publish those revocation certificates on the British Army's behalf should they manage to obtain one of our radios...!
koliber 3y ago
What happens to the barrel of fine alcoholic drink after it gets handed to the Constable? This article is missing the most important details.
- throw0101d 3y ago
  > What happens to the barrel of fine alcoholic drink after it gets handed to the Constable? It is imbibed: * https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAS9j1BWGiE&t=1m44s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAS9j1BWGiE&t=1m44s
- ttepasse 3y ago
  The Yeoman Warders - the Beefeaters - have their own accommodation in the Tower's Outer Ward and they have also their own pub: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yeoman_Warders_Club https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yeoman_Warders_Club
  - zeristor 3y ago
    They should call it The Queen's Head
    - allywilson 3y ago
      Why?
      - zeristor 3y ago
        Divorced. Beheaded. Died. Divorced. Beheaded. Survived.
        irrational 3y ago
        What does that mean?
        JustARandomGuy 3y ago
deleted 3y ago
[deleted]
dctoedt 3y ago
My strong suspicion is that the sailors involved in this would much rather be on liberty than having to dress up and perform what amounts to a little play for the tourists. But maybe things are different than they were BITD ....
- seabass-labrax 3y ago
  I'd imagine that it's voluntary. The last thing you want in a show for the press and tourists is a bunch of grumpy looking sailors, but I also imagine there are a not insignificant number of armed forces personnel who appreciate the getting in the limelight now and then.
- alistairSH 3y ago
  What makes you think they’d otherwise have leave? All militaries do pomp and ceremony. Maybe a bit more in the UK. But it’s part of the job description.
  - dctoedt 3y ago
    > What makes you think they’d otherwise have leave? Personal experience during port visits after time at sea (in the U.S. Navy).
- scns 3y ago
  They have a party thrown for them afterwards.
julie22kidman 3y ago
[flagged]
tempodox 3y ago
> …when there’s a navel vessel visiting London. I'm imagining a tiny ship swimming in a few drops of water being balanced in someone's navel. An apt entertainment while bribing the Constable with select alcoholic beverages.
- deleted 3y ago
  [deleted]
creativeSlumber 3y ago
Basically a very fancy alcohol delivery?
weinzierl 3y ago
Apropos ceremonies and Tower Bridge: I heard that everyone with a legitimate reason could request the bridge to be opened. The usual reason being wanting to sail your boat under. https://www.towerbridge.org.uk/lift-times https://www.towerbridge.org.uk/lift-times
cratermoon 3y ago
Ceremony of the Constable’s Dues: https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/whats-on/the-constables-dues/ https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/whats-on/the-constabl...
nukeyoular 3y ago
[flagged]
divbzero 3y ago
Is there a motivation behind having a helicopter join this time? Or more just “Heck, why not?”
nimbius 3y ago
[flagged]

105 points by zeristor 3y ago

Some videos of previous events (no helicopters though): * https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAS9j1BWGiE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAS9j1BWGiE * https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThRYOVxUTJg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThRYOVxUTJg Seems that the ceremony occurs a couple of times per year, and in recent years allied navy ships also partake in it as some friendly pomp: * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constable_of_the_Tower#Constable's_dues https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constable_of_the_Tower#Constab...

wdb 3y ago
Probably not Dutch navy ships lol

poulsbohemian 3y ago

> What was once a hated tax on mariners is now an exciting ceremony performed very occasionally, usually when there’s a navel vessel visiting London. Did I just overlook it in the article, or why is this event occurring this week? Some special visitor in town?

throw0101d 3y ago
It occurs anytime a Royal Navy ship visits London, which is once or twice a year. (In recent years allied navy ships also partake in the ceremony.)
- yawnxyz 3y ago
  What kind of ships usually visit London / why visit (since it’s kind of land locked)?
  - seabass-labrax 3y ago
    Greenwich used to be a very important Royal Navy training centre, so it is not too unsurprising in that context that there might be some errands to do just a little further up the Thames.
  - MarcusE1W 3y ago
    There is a small navy base just outside Tower Bridge. But every now and then some larger Warships moor next to the Belfast (am Museum ship). That’s quite central already and also Tower Bridge has to open for them, which is probably part of the fun. Sometimes a cruise ship moores there as well. It seems to be popular.

ValentineC 3y ago

I looked through the entire article, but couldn't find out why there would be a helicopter or boats this time. Searching for the ceremony on Google News didn't yield any results either. Would anyone know why?

fauigerzigerk 3y ago
I think it's a recognition that the Royal Navy also has pilots and not just sailors. Also, army and navy recruitment goals haven't been met since 2010. Can't hurt to put on a bit of a show!
- Citizen_Lame 3y ago
  How will the show help? Army and navy recruitment has been outsourced to a private company. They are not good at recruiting, either intentionally or simply incompetent.
  - seabass-labrax 3y ago
    It could inspire people to apply of their own accord rather than being approached by the armed forces recruitment (I didn't know it had been outsourced; that is interesting). It's a very plausible situation - a military demonstration locally was very enjoyable for me, and I would absolutely go again. If they were trying to recruit me, though, they shot their bolt by admitting in response to my queries that their encrypted radios utilised, shall we say, less than ideal cyphers :)
    - some_random 3y ago
      Maybe they were hoping you'd join in order to fix them /s
      - seabass-labrax 3y ago
        Unfortunately, there was apparently no such eagerness to improve the equipment. The officer who demonstrated the gadget to me did not seem at all concerned that his platoon had to have physical access to a radio in order to revoke its encryption key! One might like to think that the foe will be an officer and a gentleman, yet somehow I don't think they are going to publish those revocation certificates on the British Army's behalf should they manage to obtain one of our radios...!

koliber 3y ago

What happens to the barrel of fine alcoholic drink after it gets handed to the Constable? This article is missing the most important details.

throw0101d 3y ago
> What happens to the barrel of fine alcoholic drink after it gets handed to the Constable? It is imbibed: * https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAS9j1BWGiE&t=1m44s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAS9j1BWGiE&t=1m44s
ttepasse 3y ago
The Yeoman Warders - the Beefeaters - have their own accommodation in the Tower's Outer Ward and they have also their own pub: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yeoman_Warders_Club https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yeoman_Warders_Club
- zeristor 3y ago
  They should call it The Queen's Head
  - allywilson 3y ago
    Why?
    - zeristor 3y ago
      Divorced. Beheaded. Died. Divorced. Beheaded. Survived.
      - irrational 3y ago
        What does that mean?
        JustARandomGuy 3y ago

deleted 3y ago

[deleted]

dctoedt 3y ago

My strong suspicion is that the sailors involved in this would much rather be on liberty than having to dress up and perform what amounts to a little play for the tourists. But maybe things are different than they were BITD ....

seabass-labrax 3y ago
I'd imagine that it's voluntary. The last thing you want in a show for the press and tourists is a bunch of grumpy looking sailors, but I also imagine there are a not insignificant number of armed forces personnel who appreciate the getting in the limelight now and then.
alistairSH 3y ago
What makes you think they’d otherwise have leave? All militaries do pomp and ceremony. Maybe a bit more in the UK. But it’s part of the job description.
- dctoedt 3y ago
  > What makes you think they’d otherwise have leave? Personal experience during port visits after time at sea (in the U.S. Navy).
scns 3y ago
They have a party thrown for them afterwards.

julie22kidman 3y ago

[flagged]

tempodox 3y ago

> …when there’s a navel vessel visiting London. I'm imagining a tiny ship swimming in a few drops of water being balanced in someone's navel. An apt entertainment while bribing the Constable with select alcoholic beverages.

deleted 3y ago
[deleted]

creativeSlumber 3y ago

Basically a very fancy alcohol delivery?

weinzierl 3y ago

Apropos ceremonies and Tower Bridge: I heard that everyone with a legitimate reason could request the bridge to be opened. The usual reason being wanting to sail your boat under. https://www.towerbridge.org.uk/lift-times https://www.towerbridge.org.uk/lift-times

cratermoon 3y ago

Ceremony of the Constable’s Dues: https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/whats-on/the-constables-dues/ https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/whats-on/the-constabl...

nukeyoular 3y ago

[flagged]

divbzero 3y ago

Is there a motivation behind having a helicopter join this time? Or more just “Heck, why not?”

nimbius 3y ago

[flagged]