by Jenni Horn

The launch of HMS Ocelot marked the end of 400 years of shipbuilding at Chatham Dockyard but its legacy lives on as a popular tourist attraction.

Submariners past and present and former Chatham Dockyard workers will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Cold War submarine tomorrow (Saturday). 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. 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.

HMS Ocelot was at the centre of the launch of the Medway Messenger in 2001 and in 2006 it became the site of the Britain’s first submarine abseil. Fundraisers, some in fancy dress, dropped 65ft down the tower as part of a KM Charity Challenge.

A special Submariners’ Day will be held at Chatham’s Historic Dockyard tomorrow.

The event will include a commemorative service in The Royal Dockyard Church, for those dockyard workers involved in the building of the submarine Ocelot or those who have served on her or the wider Submarine Service.

There will be a parade led by the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines CTCRM Lympstone. In the evening there will be a separately ticketed Beating Retreat and Ceremonial Sunset.