And the six NATO battleships from the Standing Naval Force Atlantic have already flexed their military muscles. ..by forcing two tall ships out of Hamilton Harbour.

The sail-training vessels have been told to cast away today, so the mini-armada can occupy the harbour tomorrow.

Shipping bosses said the flotilla, part of a major NATO troubleshooting force, would stay in Bermuda until the following Monday, arranging some functions and tours.

The frigates and destroyers are expected to arrive, in convoy, at around 8.15 a.m.

Governor Thorold Masefield, Premier Jennifer Smith and Hamilton Mayor William Frith will be visited by the Fleet Commander, Rear Admiral Hoch.

The warships -- each with around 200 crew and from Germany, Canada, Britain, the US and Holland -- will be led into the harbour by a German guided missile destroyer.

The flagship SGS Schleswig-Holstein will host a Press conference on arrival.

But other details of the fleet's operation have been kept secret.

John S. Darrell spokesman Don MacPherson, handling the fleet's arrival, said the ships were heading to Bermuda from a naval base in Baltimore after exercises off Canada.

He said the force included two destroyers and four frigates, adding: "It should be an incredible sight when they come in.'' The ships include the Canadian destroyer Athabascan and frigate HMCS Ville de Quebec .

The Royal Navy is represented by HMS Norfolk , a frigate. And the US guided missile frigate USS De Wert and Dutch frigate HNLMS Van Galen make up the fleet.

Mr. MacPherson added: "It's a routine port visit before the force moves off for more operations.'' A spokesman for Harbour Radio said: "We know that six NATO ships are coming in but we're still not sure of their estimated time of arrival.

"Whenever it is, it should be a spectacular sight.'' He said the German tall ships Roald Amundsen and Alexander Von Humbolt , which arrived on Saturday, would leave Hamilton today to make way for the warships.

But the two tall ships will be joined by a third sail-training vessel, Thor Heyerdahl , which arrived unbattered by storms in St. George's last week.

The 164-foot schooner, carrying 36 people, dropped anchor off Ordnance Island.

She is in Bermuda en route from Havana, Cuba, to the Azores.

Captains of all three tall ships will use their stop to check out the Island in advance of next year's Tall Ships 2000 race.

The Roald Amundsen and the Alexander Von Humbolt have both signalled they will enter the landmark race.

The Humbolt , sponsored by Becks beer and featured in several TV adverts, prides itself on being one of the most famous ships in the race.

Carol Wills, of the Tall Ships 2000 Committee, said: "We're hoping all three will enter the race.

"In fact, we'd like to claim credit for them all being here at the same time, except it's purely a coincidence! "Even so, we will try to go and meet them all while they're here. They're making way for the NATO ships but at least that proves it's going to be a busy harbour next week.'' In other shipping news, over 150 cars will arrive on Sunday as a car ship makes its regular monthly visit to Bermuda.

John S. Darrell report that the Pioneer Leader is expected to bring 159 cars and 29 crates of spare parts when it arrives on the morning.

Arriving today from Jacksonville, Florida, the Somers Isle , is expected to bring in 114 containers, ten refrigerated, three trucks, one boat and 16 bundles of steel. She will sail tomorrow.

Due in tomorrow, is the Bermuda Islander , with 136 containers, including 21 refrigerated, said Meyers.

And the Morton S Bochard was to come alongside in St. George's yesterday, after mooring in the Great Sound during bad weather.

The petroleum product barge and tug couldn't dock at the East End because of strong winds and was allowed to shelter in the Sound over the weekend.

And Container Ship Management report the Oleander arrived on Sunday and was due to sail yesterday. It had on board 167 containers, 40 refrigerated, eight cars and 15 trailers.