Malabar for the final time last night.

A small crowd of dignitaries and other guests watched as the white ensign of the Royal Navy was lowered one last time.

At 6.37 p.m., the "still'' was sounded on the bosun's pipe, and the flag slowly lowered as bugler Capt. Barrett Dill of the Bermuda Regiment played Sundown. Then the "carry on'' was sounded, and two centuries of Navy presence in Bermuda was complete.

"It's the end of a glorious chapter of 200 years of the Navy in Bermuda,'' said Commander Robin Bawtree, who was in charge of the Base for its final two and a half years. "What glorious years they have been.'' The Royal Navy first established a Bermuda Base at St. George's in 1795.

Development at Dockyard began in 1809. After major cutbacks in the 1950s and 1960s, the 27-acre Base has housed about 30 British families for the last 30 years.

"I'm sad, but this is the job we were told to do,'' Commander Bawtree said.

"We've done it, and I'm pleased the way (it) has gone. We're handing Malabar over in very good condition.'' Sun finally sets on Malabar Governor Lord Waddington and Lady Waddington were among the dignitaries in attendance. With the white ensign was lowered the green and yellow "preparative'' flag, which is raised at five minutes to sunset, then lowered as the sun goes down.

One final bit of business remained. Commander Bawtree was to return alone at midnight to lower Malabar's white commissioning pennant.

The 49 buildings and 1,000 feet of deep-water jetty that were part of the Royal Navy Base are to be turned over to the West End Development Commission, which has ambitious plans to enhance its popular Dockyard development.

Ships of the Royal Navy and its allies will continue to visit Bermuda, but the Navy will have no permanent presence on the Island.

Capt. Sir David Tibbits, a Royal Navy veteran who fought quietly to save Malabar, also witnessed the closure ceremony.

"I struggled to convince all the people I knew to keep it open,'' he said.

"Alas, I failed. I still think they made a mistake.'' Last night's ceremony was private and small. The closure was observed in grander and more public style in February, when 200 years of the Royal Navy in Bermuda was also celebrated.

There was a parade on Front Street and visits by a Royal Marine Band and the Royal Navy frigate Broadsword .

FINAL SALUTE -- The Royal Navy has left Bermuda after 200 years. Lowering the white ensign, from left, is Petty Officer Derek Roberts, Leading Marine Engineer Nigel Barnacle, and Petty Officer Steve Thomas. A brief ceremony was held at the Base at sundown yesterday. The public observance of the closure took place in February.