OUR HISTORY: When the Royal Fleet came to visit Aberystwyth

It was one Saturday morning in June 1896 when people gazing upon Cardigan Bay started seeing some outlines emerging from the mist.

At first, there were a few ships. Then the rest followed.

By around half past eleven, nine warships became visible from Aberystwyth.

They had sailed northwards coming from the south beyond the Patches.

There was one smaller ship that preceded them all and seemingly took soundings before they reached the Castle Rocks. Thereupon, they dropped anchor almost simultaneously.

"The Aberystwyth Observer" reported how they anchored “simultaneously, with a splash.” But the show did not end here.

More smoke emerged out on the high seas and yet another ship could be seen. It was no doubt the HMS Bellona – the only ship among those that had three masts. In about half an hour, she joined her companions.

Warships appeared in Cardigan Bay spread across the area, and local small boats moved between them. From the rock or promenade, these ships must have looked enormous.

Among the ships, there were the following ones: HMS Majestic (flagship of Vice-Admiral Lord Walter Kerr), HMS Magnificent, HMS Royal Sovereign, HMS Empress of India, HMS Resolution, HMS Repulse, HMS Blake, HMS Hermione, HMS Bellona and the smaller HMS Halcyon.

However, Aberystwyth made use of the occasion right away.

On the same day, the Mayor and his colleagues went out to HMS Majestic and welcomed Admiral Kerr. The trip was rough enough for the party to get “a good wetting”, according to the newspaper.

In the next two days, thousands of people sailed out to the ships.

On Monday afternoon, officers from HMS Royal Sovereign and HMS Repulse even played cricket on the College ground with a band playing on.

Monday night was the peak of the event though.

Around ten in the evening, the searchlights of the fleet were turned on.

Strong beams were directed all over Aberystwyth and even the nearby hills, illuminating the Castle grounds, Constitution Hill and Tanybwlch.

One man, James Jones from Llwynglas near Talybont, later said that the flashes were so powerful that he could read the time on his watch from eight miles away.

Then, in the morning of the following day, eight ships raised anchor and left for the next destination.

The crowds gathered at the shore to watch the departure of the squadron. The admirals lowered their ensigns three times and the Royal Standard on the castle tower was dipped three times in reply.

HMS Hermione and HMS Bellona stayed.

Three days later, there would be heard the sound of gunfire welcoming the Prince and Princess of Wales during the royal visit.

For a few memorable days, the fleet had come to Aberystwyth.