page_title: HMS Vidal
section_title: Career
hierarchical_section_title: HMS Vidal / Career
caption_attribution_description: English: Lt. Cdr. Scott RN raises the Union Flag over Rockall on 18th September 1955, with the words, "In the name of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, I hereby take posession of this Island of Rockall." To the left stands Royal Marine Commando Cpl. Alexander A. Fraser
context_page_description: HMS Vidal was a survey ship of the Royal Navy.
context_section_description: Vidal spent her career carrying out surveys for the Navy, and supporting scientific work for the British government. The development of the Cold War led the British government to decide to formally annex Rockall. This was authorised on 14 September 1955, with orders from Queen Elizabeth II transmitted to the Vidal detailing 
  On arrival at Rockall you will effect a landing and hoist the Union flag on whatever spot appears most suitable or practicable and you will then take possession of the island on our behalf.
   The Vidal arrived in position the following day, but were unable to land any men as poor weather prevented the helicopter from flying.
  On 18 September 1955 at precisely 10.16 am, Lieutenant-Commander Desmond Scott RN, Sergeant Brian Peel RM, Corporal AA Fraser RM, and James Fisher (a civilian naturalist and former Royal Marine), were deposited on the island by a Royal Navy helicopter from HMS Vidal. The team cemented in a brass plaque on Hall's Ledge and hoisted the Union Flag to stake the UK's claim.
  
  The inscription on the plaque read:
  By authority of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of her other realms and territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, and in accordance with Her Majesty's instructions dated the 14th day of September, 1955, a landing was effected this day upon this island of Rockall from HMS Vidal. The Union flag was hoisted and possession of the island was taken in the name of Her Majesty. [Signed] R H Connell, Captain, HMS Vidal, 18 September 1955.
  The plaque was still in place in 1997,when the rock was visited by Greenpeace protesters, but was found to be missing some years later - presumably a victim of the harsh weather.
  The formal annexation of Rockall was announced by the Admiralty on 21 September 1955.
  In 1964 Vidal carried the Chief Hydrographer, Admiral Sir Edmund Irving to Leningrad for talks with Admiral Anatoliy Rassokho, his counterpart in the Soviet Union. In 1967 she transported scientists and personnel to Aldabra Atoll[Circular SZR/7/67 of The Royal Society] ? and[Diego Garcia]].
  The Vidal was broken up in Bruges in June 1976.
caption: A party from HMS Vidal hoist the Union Flag over Rockall in 1955
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