H.M.S. ALBION

Commissioning Service

conducted by

C.B., O.B.E., M.A., Q.H.C.,

Assisted by

The Rev. L. MACMANAWAY, M.A., Royal Navy, and

The Rev. L. TRUELOVE, Royal Navy

in the presence of

THE CAPTAIN, OFFICERS, AND SHIP'S COMPANY

Portsmouth, 14th December 1959

ORDER OF SERVICE

The Chaplain shall address the Ship's Company in these words:

Brothers, seeing that in the course of our duty we are set in the midst of many and great dangers, and that we cannot be faithful to the high trust placed in us without the help of Almighty God, let us unite our prayers in seeking His blessing upon this ship and all who serve in her, that she may sail under God's good providence and protection, and that there may never be lacking men well qualified to offer in her their work and skill for His greater glory, and for the protection of our realm and empire.

Then shall be sung the Hymn:

Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us
O'er the world's tempestuous sea;
Guard us, guide us, keep us, feed us,
For we have no help but thee;
Yet possessing every blessing
If our God our Father be.

Saviour, breathe forgiveness o'er us,
All our weakness thou dost know,
Thou didst tread this earth before us,
Thou didst feel its keenest woe;
Lone and dreary, faint and weary,
Through the desert thou didst go.

Spirit of our God, descending,
Fill our hearts with heavenly joy.
Love with every passion blending
Pleasure that can never cloy;
Thus provided, pardoned, guided,
Nothing can car. our peace destroy !

Then shall be said by the Chaplain of the Church of Scotland and Free Churches:

PSALM 107, verses 23-31, 43

They that go down to the sea in ships : and occupy their business in great waters ;
These men see the works of the Lord : and his wonders in the deep.
For at his word the stormy wind ariseth : which lifteth up the waves thereof.
They are carried up to the heaven, and down again to the deep : their soul melteth away because of the trouble.
They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man : and are at their wit's end.
So when they cry unto the Lord in their trouble : he delivereth them out of their distress.
For he maketh the storm to cease : so that the waves thereof are still.
Then are they glad, because they are at rest : and so he bringeth them unto the haven where they would be.
O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness : and declare the wonders that he doeth for the children of men !
Whoso is wise will ponder these things : and they shall understand the loving-kindness of the Lord.

Then shall the Lesson be read as follows by the Captain, Captain F. M. A. Torrens-Spence, D.S.O., D.S.C., A.F.C., R.N.

ST. MATTHEW, Chapter viii, verses 23-27

And when he was entered into a boat, his disciples followed him.

And behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the boat was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And they came to him, and woke him, saying, Save, Lord; we perish. And he with unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith ? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. And the men marvelled saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him.

Then shall the Captain call on the Ship's Company to ask for God's Blessing on the Ship, using this ancient call:

FROM THE GAELIC BLESSING, 1589

The Captain: I call on you to pray for God's blessing on the Ship. Bless our Ship.
The Ship's Company: May God the Father bless her.
The Captain: Bless our Ship.
The Ship's Company: May Jesus Christ bless her.
The Captain: Bless our Ship.
The Ship's Company: May the Holy Spirit bless her.
The Captain: What do we fear seeing that God the Father is with you?
The Ship's Company: We fear nothing.
The Captain: Whom do ye fear, seeing that Gad the Son is with you ?
The Ship's Company: We fear nothing.
The Captain: What do ye fear, seeing that God the Holy Spirit is with you ?
The Ships Company: We fear nothing.

Then the Chaplain of the Fleet will speak to the Ship's Company, and pronounce a blessing on the Ship in these words:

O Lord God Almighty, who blessest those that put their trust in Thee, let Thy blessing be upon this ship, and upon all who serve and sail in her: May good success and Thy protection and the guardianship of the holy Angels be with them always. In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

THE PRAYERS

Then the Chaplain shall say the Naval Prayer, followed by one for the Ship's Company's homes and families:

O Eternal Lord God, who alone spreadest out the heavens, and rulest the raging of the sea; who has compassed the waters with bounds until day and night come to an end; Be pleased to receive into thy Almighty and most precious protection the persons of us thy servants, and the Fleet in which we serve. Preserve us from the dangers of the sea and air and from the violence of the enemy; that we may be a safeguard unto out most gracious Sovereign Lady, Queen Elizabeth and Her Dominions; and a security for such as pass on the seas upon their lawful occasions; that the inhabitants of our Island may in peace and quietness serve thee our God: and that we may return in safety to enjoy the blessings of the land, with the fruits of our labours, and with a thankful remembrance of thy mercies to praise and glorify thy Holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty God we beseech thee to keep under thy protection all those whom we love; watch over all who are sick or in trouble; and lead us, thy sons, in the paths of life and service; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then shall be said the Lord's Prayer:

Then shall be sung this Hymn:

Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm doth bind the restless wave,
Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
O hear us when we cry to thee
For those in peril on the sea.

O Saviour, whose almighty word
The winds and waves submissive heard,
Who walkedst on the foaming deep,
And calm amid its rage didst sleep:
O hear us when we cry to thee
For those in peril on the sea.

O sacred Spirit, who didst brood
Upon the chaos dark and rude,
Who bad'st its angry tumult cease,
And gayest light and life and peace.
O hear us when we cry to thee
For those in peril on the sea.

O Trinity of love and power,
Our brethren shield in danger's hour
From rock and tempest, fire and foe
Protect them whereso'er they go:
And ever let there rise to thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.

The Chaplain of the Fleet shall then shall then pronounce the blessing as follows:

Go forth into the world in peace: be of good courage; hold fast that which is good; render no man evil for evil; strengthen the faint-hearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; honour all men; love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.

And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost be upon you and remain with you for ever. Amen.

Then shall all join in singing:

GOD SAVE THE QUEEN

PRINTED IN ENGLAND - CHICHESTER PRESS, CHICHESTER, SUSSEX, UK,

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