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Alex Patterson talks
about the history of HMS Ocelot

by Jenni Horn

Submariners past and present as well
as former Chatham Dockyard workers are celebrating the 50th
anniversary of HMS Ocelot today.

The launch of the Cold War
submarine marked the end of 400 years of ship-building at Chatham
Dockyard, but its legacy lives on as a popular tourist
attraction.

The vessel is one of more than 50
submarines built and launched in Chatham and she was the last
warship to be built for the Royal Navy there.

Hundreds gathered to watch the launch
of HMS Ocelot in May 1962 at the height of the Cold War.

Hundreds gathered at the
launch of HMS Ocelot in May 1962

She joined the 3rd Flotilla based at
HMNB Clyde, in Faslane and went on to play a vital role in
intelligence-gathering missions in the Arctic regions of northern
Europe because of her quiet diesel engines.

HMS Ocelot was paid off in 1991 and
crowds gathered once again to welcome her home to Chatham when she
returned the following year.

Since then, she has become one of the
most popular attractions at The Historic Dockyard. Families enjoy
exploring the cramped interior and finding out what life was like
on board.

The submarine, now stationed in a dry
dock, has welcomed all sorts of visitors over the last 10
years.

In 2001, she became home to a family
of foxes who were spotted by people on late-night ghost tours. The
following year, Father Christmas had to squeeze through the hatches
when he climbed onboard to greet school children who were given a
tour.