Tradition – Gun Salutes

It is not often that you will hear a ship fire eleven guns and then immediately follow the eleven guns by firing a further seven.  Tradition where has it gone, or do we now just make it up as we go along.

HMNZS ENDEAVOUR decommissioned last Friday and as part of the ceremonial put in place for the decomissioning a gun salute was ordered.

This comment is not to take anything away from the decommissioning of ENDEAVOUR she was a fine ship and served the RNZN well. But, On Friday as ENDEAVOUR entered harbour for the last time, PHILOMEL fired an eleven gun salute,  This salute was fired on behalf of ENDEAVOUR as the Senior Officer was physically located in PHILOMEL, and then, PHILOMEL immediately followed by firing a salute of seven guns to the Commanding Officer of ENDEAVOUR.  Not only did PHILOMEL fire an even number of guns (18) but this make a mockery of the entire salute.

Who is advising the Command now on Ceremonial Issues, certainly not the Communicators?   Tradition has certainly gone out the door on this occasion.