SHIPS OF THE MEDITERRANEAN FLEET PAY AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO BEIRUT [Allocated Title]

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  • Title: SHIPS OF THE MEDITERRANEAN FLEET PAY AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO BEIRUT [Allocated Title]
  • Film Number: ADM 1475
  • Other titles: POST-WAR NAVAL OPERATIONS - BEIRUT [Allocated Series Title]
  • Summary: HMS Bermuda and the destroyers Delight and Daring pay a visit to Beirut. The Lebanese President and Madam Chamoun go to sea to observe manoeuvres.
  • Description: MSs from jetty as HMS Bermuda enters Beirut Harbour, followed by Delight and Daring. Cut to a camera on Bermuda as the cruiser's 4-inch guns fire a salute, and view of Beirut from the sea as the flotilla enters the harbour. Bermuda goes alongside jetty. Series of shots showing Vice-Admiral Reid receiving guests onboard - the British Ambassador, Lebanese Prime Minister, President Chamoun, and the C-in-C Lebanese Forces, General Shihab. Cleaning ship on Bermuda and Daring. Oil is transferred from Bermuda, lying on one side of the jetty, to Daring on the other side, the cruiser's crane supporting the fuel hose. Sequence showing a water polo match between Bermuda's team, wearing white caps, and locals. Rum ration is issued on Bermuda. Sequence showing Lebanese VIPs, including the President, being entertained on balcony of the British embassy - Chamoun waves a casual salute to the cameraman. Naval ratings go sightseeing in Beirut, and a party of boy seamen visit the temple at Baalbeck (Baalbec). Reel Two. Continuation of the trip to Baalbeck - one seaman enjoys the traditional ride on a camel. Cut to Royal Marines Guard and Band Beating Retreat on the jetty - guests watch the proceedings from the British ships, which have rigged deck awnings and lamps - by the time the ceremony has finished it is quite dark and a photographer's flash-bulb stands out sharply. Daytime and brilliant sunshine - President Chamoun arrives in a staff car and comes aboard Bermuda and, after the usual handshakes, inspects the honour guard - the ship is dressed with flags overall. The flotilla gets underway, and on Bermuda crew fall in at their stations for leaving port. The Lebanese national flag flies from the mainmast. The guests watch from the bridge as Bermuda carries out a series of high speed manoeuvres in company with Daring and Delight. Jackstay transfer from Daring to cameraship. Cut to camera on HMS Delight leaving Beirut and at sea with the others ships of the flotilla, including Whirlwind (F.187). Delight closes on Bermuda for jackstay crossing of personnel, including the cameraman, who exchanges ships during the sequence.
  • Alternative Title: POST-WAR NAVAL OPERATIONS - BEIRUT [Allocated Series Title]
  • Colour: B&W
  • Digitised:
  • Object_Number: ADM 1475
  • Sound: Silent
  • Access Conditions: IWM Attribution: © IWM
  • Featured Period: 1946-1975
  • Production Date: 1954
  • Production Country: GB
  • Production Details: Admiralty (Production sponsor)
  • Personalities, Units and Organisations: Reid, Peter L (person) Chapman-Andrews, Edwin A (person) Chamoun, Camille Nimr (person) Chamoun (Madame) (person) Shihab, Fuad (person) Yafi, Abdallah (person) Collett, George K (person) Royal Navy, BERMUDA (HMS) (regiment/service) Royal Navy, DELIGHT (HMS), destroyer (1950) (regiment/service) Royal Navy, DARING (HMS), destroyer (1949) (regiment/service) Royal Navy, Whirlwind (regiment/service)
  • Keywords: ships, British naval - cruiser: Bermuda (object name) ships, British naval - destroyer: Delight (object name) ships, British naval - destroyer: Daring (object name) ships, British naval - frigate: Whirlwind (F.187) (object name) delegations, British international - goodwill: RN in Beirut (object name) operations, British naval - routine: cleaning ship (object name) recreation, British military - tourism (object name) recreation, British military - sport: water polo (object name) Lebanon & Beirut (geography)
  • Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W Sound format: Silent Soundtrack language: None Title language: None Subtitle language: None
  • Technical Details: Format: 35mm Number of items/reels/tapes: 2 Footage: 3849 ft; Running time: 42 mins
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  • Link to IWM Collections page:

    ADM 1475

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