Royal Navy: HMS Collingwood Victory Squadron visit HMS Medusa in Gosport ahead of 80th anniversary of D-Day

Royal Navy personnel were given a tour of HMS Medusa in Gosport earlier this month. The historic combat vessel was one of the first allied vessels to arrive on the beaches on June 6, 1944. She acted as a marker for minesweepers, allowing the vessels to cut a passage to the beachs. HMS Medusa is also the only one out of nearly 500 ships in her class – a Harbour Defence Motor Launch – to be in their original condition.

Sailors learned about he living conditions aboard the vessel, how she is powered, her fighting capability and the experiences of its wartime personnel. AB Ripley and AB Drake both thoroughly enjoyed the education. They said: "We both enjoyed the experience; it was a fascinating link back to D-Day. Amazing to see 75 per cent of its original fittings demonstrating the care and love shown by the volunteers. It is a good comparison showing the sparse equipment and knowledge from the second world war to what facilities we have at Collingwood and can expect at sea in the modern fleet.

"It was a fantastic insight into an unknown history of coastal defence during the Second World War, which is often neglected and gave us a fascinating day outside of the classroom.” Both sailors said it would be an amazing opportunity to be a part of her crew on the open sea. The historic vessel is operated and maintained by The Medusa Trust - entirely run by volunteers.

They are currently raising money to cover the cost of sailing her to where she carried out her famous maritime mission, and to honour the 80th anniversary. More information can be found here.