Sealand News

As a major conflict it is unlikely to reach the ears of the United Nations General Assembly for some time. But for the true connoisseur of English eccentricity and individuality, the latest skirmish in the battle of Regina versus Sealand will be news.

His Royal Highness Prince Roy and Princess Joan currently of Southend-on-sea - were in contact with their subjects on the ”independent principality of Sealand” six miles off the Essex coast where, they had been informed, the British police were investigating a ‘’shooting incident”.

Dispatches from the front line described the Royal Maritime Auxiliary vessel Golden Eye, sailing towards Sealand - a Second World War anti- aircraft tower taken over by the Bateses in 1967 and proclaimed, in a unilateral declaration of independence, to have an international status separate from the United Kingdom.

According to Prince Roy shots were fired by Sealanders on board the structure, but only to warn the Golden Eye that it was sailing too close to the two legs of the giant structure. Sealand is staffed by ”three or four” security men and Major Bates admitted there was a ”fairly decent” arsenal on board. ”The rifle shots were a warning, used like a flare from a lighthouse. The vessel had not responded to repeated radio calls and there was some concern.”

There was also concern on board the Golden Eye, which believed it could be under attack and radioed Thames Coastguard for help.

The incident is being investigated by detectives from Suffolk but for Prince Roy it is just the latest episode in the bizarre 23-year history of the mini-state of Sealand.

Source: (c) The Independent (London), February 24, 1990