1963 – Dutch Cruiser De Ruyter visits Gibraltar
Dutch naval units visited Gibraltar either as a port of call on one of their cruises or as members of larger NATO squadrons. Impeccably dressed and well behaved, their mariners were always more than welcome in town.
The light cruiser De Ruyter seems to have visited the Rock more than most other warships of the Dutch navy during the 2oth century over a period stretching from 1950s to 1970s making it hard to date both the main photo of the ship in port and the following ones of Dutch mariners on shore leave but 1963 seems the most likely year for this particular visit.
Dutch light cruiser de Ruyter
Much loved confectionery store. I lived next door in 256 Main Street
Upper Rock sight seeing
The Apes
Shoes polished down town
Having a good look at the historic South Port Gates
Inspecting the Scottish guard outside the Convent - The Governor's Residence
The "Sunken Garden" below the South Port Gates
Probably top of Crutchett's Ramp