Faith in the Forces
| Wednesday, September 29 2010 @ 04:03 PM BST | Contributed by: Steve Reed | Views: 690 |
Hemyock Men’s autumn breakfast programme got off to an excellent start with the visit of Captain Mike Barritt RN retd who commanded the navy’s survey ships as an hydrographer.
The men learned that hydrography is the science of surveying the seas and determining locations of reference points, depths of water and so on. During his career, Mike has been in charge of more than 20 major sea-bed surveys, mainly in Atlantic and UK coastal waters. Among the more unusual finds on his surveys have been the wreck of a Victorian Trinity House light vessel in the North Sea, and the wrecks of German submarines which had been scuttled during World War II. He has also crossed both polar circles as well as working in all the oceans of the world.
Mike’s life and work has always been informed by his Christian faith. He spoke about taking shipboard services in the absence of a Chaplain, about the value of faith in the services, the way in which men of the sea who travelled vast oceans related well to the concept of a creator God. He also overviewed some of the stirling work carried out by various Christian organistions in support of the forces such as The Naval, Airforce & Military Bible Society and Aggie Westons (RSR).
Mike continues to work to support Christian fellowship amongst our servicemen and women both nationally and internationally with such organisations as Royal Sailors Rest and the Naval Christian Fellowship. He also helps to keep our seaways safe through work with the International Hydrographic Organization. The men gave a gift of £75 to the RSR following Mike’s talk.
Picture attached. Hemyock Men enjoyed a great breakfast at the Catherine Wheel. Their September speaker was Capt Mike Barritt RN (rted) who is third from the right.
