HMS Decoy's visit to Baltimore coincided with the 150th anniversary of the writing of The Star-Spangled Banner. The destroyer exchanged a 21-gun salute with a shore battery at Fort McHenry before continuing to Newport as British guardship for the America's Cup. An ambassadorial reception brought 200 guests aboard, and more than 500 people watched the races from her decks. Decoy then returned to Bahamas patrols, where she detained Cuban refugees on Cay Sal. Flag-showing visits and exercises interrupted those patrols before preparations began for the ship's subsequent lay-up.
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HMS Decoy combined diplomatic visits with Bahamas patrols
Ceremonial visits and ambassadorial hospitality shared Decoy's deployment with refugee interception and patrol duties.