In January 1959, as a Senior Pilot in the Fleet Air Arm, I was appointed to 801 Squadron. We embarked in HMS Centaur with 16 aircraft and sailed for the Mediterranean, the first leg of a world cruise. We nearly lost our squadron CO in the June! On launch, his ejector seat drogue fired and deployed, slowing his Sea Hawk down until it lost flying speed and sank without trace.
I prayed and after what seemed an age, but was probably less than a minute, he broke surface ahead of the ship, waving vigorously and was rapidly picked up by our helicopter. A modification was soon put in to prevent the ejector seat retaining catch being installed upside down again!
Early the next year, there was a big exercise with Indian and Pakistani ships. The INS Mysore and HMS Hogue collided at night and Naval Christian Fellowship member Ken Taylor’s legs were crushed. He was helicoptered aboard CENTAUR. Our Christian Fellowship on board met to pray for him. Then a senior Indian doctor managed to save his legs.
In June 1960, the ship visited Stockholm and returned to the UK in the July. In the Baltic, I made my 500th deck landing. Five days later we were home and the ship’s and squadron’s commission then ended after what I remember as a happy and fruitful 18 months during which I was conscious of the Lord’s protecting hand.
When going though pre-take-off checks I always added a short prayer for safety. The Lord kept me safe through 500 deck landings.
*Photo credit: https://www.pexels.com/@cheer-miron-asso-2152270905