Crew from US warship which came under attack off Yemen attend Derry church and wreath-laying ceremonies

Representatives from an American warship which recently came under attack off the coast of Yemen have visited Derry to take part in a church service and wreath-laying service.

A USS Mason -. a guided missile destroyer – came under missile attack north of Bab el-Mandeb strait.

The crew and the ship were unharmed in the incident which occurred in mid-October.

The ship recently docked in Belfast having travelled nearly 60,000 miles.

Crew members were among those who travelled to Derry at the weekend to attend a church service in Ardmore and a wreath-laying ceremony at the Beech Hill Hotel in honour of the men who served on the Mason and to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the US naval base in the city

They also attended a reception at the Guildhall, hosted by the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Alderman Hilary McClintock.

Speaking following the visit, the Mayor said she was delighted to acknowledge the important role played by the USS Mason in the city and to welcome representatives to the city and district.

“I was very honoured as Mayor of the city to welcome representatives from USS Mason to the city and to be part of the fantastic weekend of celebrations that were organised to honour the men who served on the Mason and to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the US naval Base.

“It was a great honour for us to host the representatives and to let them see at first hand the role played by the men who came before them in World War 2 to work in the naval base in our city.

“Every year groups of marines from the United States and Europe travel to the Beech Hill to find out about our maritime history and to uphold a tradition started around 70 years ago to carve their names on the Marine Tree.”

Photo shows officers of the USS Mason and guests laying a wreath in the grounds of the Beechill Hotel, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Base One Europe. From left are Commander Christopher Schwarz, Nobel Laureate John Hume, Fleet Master Chief Ray Kemp, Mary Pat Kelly, Base One Europe Friends Society, Commander Chris Gilberston, Captain of the USS Mason, Patsy O'Kane, Beechill Hotel, The Deputy Mayor of Derry and Strabane District Council, Councillor Jim McKeever, Master Chief Ronn Shasky and Chaplin Mario Amaro. Photo Lorcan Doherty Photography