The 1970's - 1980's with photographs from the Bates family archive

Sealand was to make its mark during the 1970's the legality of the so called independant state was questioned, & forces moved to evict Roy, family & representatives

Roy's wife Joan had worked as a successful model, above showing furs for the Fort!

Michael 'Mum modelling for "Higgs Furs" in the 70's, when it was ok to wear fur.' 'As I was a young lad about town there was a club called 'The Talk of the
South' where people like Shirley Bassey would perform, it is now called TOTS.'
'This picture used to hang on the wall in the foyer, I would take girlfriends there to walk past picture of my mother staring down at me!'

3.7" Gun trained on Harwich lashings are part of the winch system

Action came again in 1978, not from Britain but Germany, a strange twist as the Fort's had been constructed to defend against their invasion

The drama unfolds in 1978 (Press Picture Unknown)

Aided by Dutch forces the Fort was taken on behalf of Alexander Achenbach, a German lawyer from Aachen who proclaimed himself Prime Minister of Sealand. Michael is held prisoner, he's released & dumped on a beach in Holland, making his way home & joined the party that liberated Sealand & in turn kept Putz one of the invaders prisoner

Roy shows the German prisoners (Press Picture Unknown)

Sealand 1978 Michael, Joan, Roy, Captain John Crewdson, Gordon Wilkinson (Willy) & Barry Harcus

Michael 'This with the exception of Mum of course is the team that carried out helicopter assault.' 'John Crewdson the pilot who had flown in
many Bond films but was very proud that this was the first time people had
been pointing real guns at him!' 'Willy my best mate, Barry a good friend plus John & Gordon all sadly no longer alive'

The 'HMS Egeria' a small navy inshore minesweeper used as a hydro-graphics boat taking soundings & positions for Admiralty charts

'HMS Egeria pushed in closer & closer as I waved them away.' Mum &
I felt very threatened.' 'Eventually I cut loose with a full magazine of 9mm
across her bow quite impressive to see on a very calm day.' 'They backed off
in a cloud off urgent black smoke.' 'This event never made the news!'

The 'Seafrieghtliner' pictured in the mid seventies

Say's Michael 'The Seafrieghter's skipper was originally on the old Suffolk Train Ferry from Harwich to the Hook of Holland.' 'I believe his name was Captain Wylde, he befriended Sealand as he moved up through his career through bigger and more modern ships' 'I've actually shaken his hand from the wing of his bridge as he passed.' 'Every Christmas they tried to get a turkey and some beers across'

Joan watches the The 'Seafrieghtliner' pull away

'Same ship another time. We nick named him "Ginger" but he was grey by the
time he finished'

'Newspapers would come flying through the air and messages tied to bolts.' 'He was a great supportive friend to me although I never met him away from Sealand Mum & Dad did'

An incredible photograph of the Harwich Sealink Ferry St Edmund passing east of Sealand, note helicopter on Tower

Michael 'The picture of the St Edmund was taken on Willy & Karen's wedding day in the summer of 1979, Willy & I had spent months painting the place up in readiness'. 'Yes "Ginger" has worked his way up through the ranks & they have given him a bigger ship.' 'He delayed sailing goodness knows how so he could attend with the Harwich Hook of Holland ferry as the bride arrived by helicopter'

Sealander Roby Dawson dressed for the wedding with Alsatian guard dog 'Bahadur' (Ghurkha for brother)

'Willy asked me if he could get married on Sealand, he'd lived and worked for us for years from the age of 16'. 'Roby had to be left behind in tears of frustration at Southend airport when we did the assault in '78 due to lack of space in the helicopter'

'Cheers' Christmas on Sealand with the flag, tree a beer for Michael & a short for Roy

Michael 'Note my shoulder holster with an automatic pistol in it and lack of beer
gut not to mention I had hair then'

It was in the 1980's that rumblings of a Local South East television relay from Sealand were being discussed, nothing was to come of the proposal

Joan Bates about to depart Sealand in style in in 1982

Michael 'It's with Una Stubbs behind in the orange immersion suit who played the scare crow in Worzel Gummidge a very charming lady'

The next radio proposition came from Chris Carey in 1987 he, Sybil Fennell & Michael sourced gear in England & Holland and bought the Radio Paradise kit from the Dutch authorities who had impounded it

The extension of British Territorial waters & intervention & the risk of a raid, shelved the project

For a limited period of time only: To celebrate 30 years of victory over the Dutch & German terrorist invasion of Sealand. The Principality is offering 'Individual Noble Titles' Lord, Lady, Baron & Baroness in recognition of support

During the invasion Prince Michael of Sealand was held prisoner for four days until being landed illegally on the Dutch coast. Sealand launched a counter attack sliding down ropes from a helicopter 100 foot above the raging North Sea to recaptured the fortress island

N.B Also in appreciation for their services to the Principality of Sealand honorary titles are being issued to a select group of supporters, including Danny Wallace, Ben Fogle, Terry Wogan, George Stroumboulopoulos & Jeremy Clarkson

Click on the Link document(s) image above or Sealand seal below

This feature does not intend to duplicate information published elsewhere or make legal or otherwise opinions, reference links are provided as applicable

With grateful thanks to Michael Bates for his help in producing this feature which continues in Sealand Radio - Part 3

A VCD sanctioned & approved for release by Prince Michael of Sealand is available with over 150 photographs & history soundtrack tour of Sealand to order your copy go to Offshore Shop

For all the Sealand Features navigate from the ScrapBook Index