respect for submariners
Discussion
Went to Chatham dockyard the other day and took the tour of a submarine in a dry dock. How the hell did anyone live and work in such confined spaces for weeks at a time ??.This was on HMS OCELOT which I believe was built in the early 60s so presumably bigger than WW2 ones.There was not one space where I could put arms out straight without touching anything.The guide said there were 70 or so men in it and it was packed with 20 of us that they take at a time. To be at sea and on a life or death footing must have been a nightmare, as I say it brought home the great respect we should have for these men
My FIL was a submariner and commander of HMS Artemis when it sank in dock whilst being refuelled (albeit not on duty at the time to be fair!)
He's now living in the US and getting on and the days of having good quality conversations about his antics are now long gone I'm afraid
How they lived in a small tube for such long periods of time is beyond me, life under water sounds very difficult at best
He's now living in the US and getting on and the days of having good quality conversations about his antics are now long gone I'm afraid
How they lived in a small tube for such long periods of time is beyond me, life under water sounds very difficult at best
HoHoHo said:
My FIL was a submariner and commander of HMS Artemis when it sank in dock whilst being refuelled (albeit not on duty at the time to be fair!)
You may want to edit this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Artemis_(P449)- there's no CO listed for 1971.
Simpo Two said:
HoHoHo said:
My FIL was a submariner and commander of HMS Artemis when it sank in dock whilst being refuelled (albeit not on duty at the time to be fair!)
You may want to edit this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Artemis_(P449)- there's no CO listed for 1971.
Still, loads of stories and even more women in various ports
(hence now living in the US!)Have to agree with HOHOHO just cannot imagine living like that, the noise must have been horrendous as the bunks were on the side of the walkway with just a small curtain, some right next to the diesel engines. At least the captain had his own "box" with a bit of carpet on the floor. Privlage of rank I guess. Even moving through the ship through the round holes that are the only means to go from one area to another was a struggle for us over 60 but I guess they were meant for younger blokes.
Iain Ballantyne's book on the Royal Navy's attack subs has quite a lot of info about what life was like on those boats (and the nuclear ones that came after): http://iainballantyne.com/hunter-killers/
Dr Gitlin said:
Iain Ballantyne's book on the Royal Navy's attack subs has quite a lot of info about what life was like on those boats (and the nuclear ones that came after): http://iainballantyne.com/hunter-killers/
Secrets of the Conqueror is also a cracking read - not just the Falklands exploits, but the Cold War stuff as well. And my memory fails me as to the name of it (helpful, I know...), but in the last few years the BBC did an excellent 2-part documentary on the Cold War submarine exploits, with interviews with Royal, US and Russian Navy submariners. The bit about the RN sub that went and got photos of the underside of the Kiev is mind boggling - of the all-up weight of the submarine, a substantial amount must have been the aggregate weight of the crew's testicles.Europa1 said:
Dr Gitlin said:
Iain Ballantyne's book on the Royal Navy's attack subs has quite a lot of info about what life was like on those boats (and the nuclear ones that came after): http://iainballantyne.com/hunter-killers/
Secrets of the Conqueror is also a cracking read - not just the Falklands exploits, but the Cold War stuff as well. And my memory fails me as to the name of it (helpful, I know...), but in the last few years the BBC did an excellent 2-part documentary on the Cold War submarine exploits, with interviews with Royal, US and Russian Navy submariners. The bit about the RN sub that went and got photos of the underside of the Kiev is mind boggling - of the all-up weight of the submarine, a substantial amount must have been the aggregate weight of the crew's testicles.I'll write a book one day once all the stuff I did was declassified, if I live long enough.
The Silent Deep (Hennessey & Jinks) as the history of RN submarine service is an excellent book, too, devoured my copy on the weekend of its release. And it pays re-reading closely too; the insights into the Perisher course are worth the price of admission alone.
Respect due, absolutely yes; and gratefully given here.
ETA: link: this book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silent-Deep-Royal-Submari...
Respect due, absolutely yes; and gratefully given here.
ETA: link: this book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silent-Deep-Royal-Submari...
Edited by Huff on Tuesday 8th November 19:36
Hello there guys.
On the subject of submarines here is something I picked up recently.
It's was given to the family of Thomas Aitchison after the Armenian was sunk by u-24 during ww1.
Allegedly he was a Liverpool man was who was last seen clinging to some debris with the steward when he sank from view.
I respect all submariners however imagine being hunted by one....!r
On the subject of submarines here is something I picked up recently.
It's was given to the family of Thomas Aitchison after the Armenian was sunk by u-24 during ww1.
Allegedly he was a Liverpool man was who was last seen clinging to some debris with the steward when he sank from view.
I respect all submariners however imagine being hunted by one....!r
Another excellent book - Hostile Waters. Story of Soviet missile boat that sank off the coast of North Carolina.
You really have respect for them when you see how the crew were hung out to dry whilst battling for their lives against the ocean.
Somebody made a film of it, but it was s
te. Book is excellent.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hostile-Waters-Peter-Huch...
You really have respect for them when you see how the crew were hung out to dry whilst battling for their lives against the ocean.
Somebody made a film of it, but it was s
te. Book is excellent.https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hostile-Waters-Peter-Huch...
trev540 said:
Have to agree with HOHOHO just cannot imagine living like that, the noise must have been horrendous as the bunks were on the side of the walkway with just a small curtain, some right next to the diesel engines. At least the captain had his own "box" with a bit of carpet on the floor. Privlage of rank I guess. Even moving through the ship through the round holes that are the only means to go from one area to another was a struggle for us over 60 but I guess they were meant for younger blokes.
Submariners can sleep anywhere!I toured a Russian Sub when in Sydney back in 96 (B427 I recall - also known as Foxtrot 540) which was a floating museum. To me it was impossible living conditions, enough to drive a bloke mad. I think seeing the size of the toilet was enough for me.
There's some good suggested reading material here, just in time for Xmas as well
Utmost respect for the guys who served on these vessels.
There's some good suggested reading material here, just in time for Xmas as well
Utmost respect for the guys who served on these vessels.
HoHoHo said:
My FIL was a submariner and commander of HMS Artemis when it sank in dock whilst being refuelled (albeit not on duty at the time to be fair!)
He's now living in the US and getting on and the days of having good quality conversations about his antics are now long gone I'm afraid
How they lived in a small tube for such long periods of time is beyond me, life under water sounds very difficult at best
I was one of the Clearance Divers who helped to refloat it.He's now living in the US and getting on and the days of having good quality conversations about his antics are now long gone I'm afraid
How they lived in a small tube for such long periods of time is beyond me, life under water sounds very difficult at best
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