Memories of Torpedo / Anti submarine days by Alan Quartermaine

I remember the Chief T.I on board H.M.S WHIRLWIND instructing groups of our class around the switchboard and torpedo tubes during our 12 week Trained Mans course; our class had just left Boys Training in early 1946. I recall assisting in the torpedo recovery when the ship fired two Mk.9s in Scapa-Flow, manning the hand winch and shipmates in the Whaler towing the Torpedo to the Davits.

June 46. Draft to LEANDER in Pompey for the Med. (Captain Ottowa Ruthven), D. Day Planner and later (Captain Mc.Coy) Ex Captain D 17th. D F. A.B.s on board volunteered for the new T.A.S. Branch with courses conducted on board Destroyer and Submarine Depot Ships returning to parent ship on completion. LEANDER had a set of four tubes in the Port and Starboard Waists, a Parting Shop amidships and an Asdic Cabinet below the Forward Seaman s Mess deck. P.O. Peters was a L.T.O later UWI in Vernon.

1948. as ex-boy seaman and now A.B.s we had a choice of numerous Non Sub-rates e.g. (TD3, RC3, QA3, S.eq. Stewards, Supply etc.). A group of us volunteered for the T.D.3 course at Vernon. Our draft included around six L/S H.S.D. D.S.M. ratings who were not amused at having to complete the Torpedo Conversion course. Weapons course at Vernon followed by Asdics at Portland, 70% pass required in all subjects, about 6 weeks at Portland on Castle class Frigates and Z class destroyers. On joining the Castle Boats ew had to prepare out mid-day meal prior to closing up in the A.C.R. The ships Tanky usually gave us the poor parts of the meat, so it was a case of Pot Mess.

Summer 1948. Back to Chatham as A.B.T.D.3. Draft to H.M.S. GABBARD, a battle class Destroyer (Capt.ÓDÓ.H.M.S. SOLEBAY) GABBARD was canteen boat, Harbour T.A.S.I was C.P.O. Lionel Belcher, D.S.M. Flotilla T.A.S.I. was P.O Robinson (later to become Lt Cdr Robinson). Home Fleet cruise to West Indies & South Africa, 3 ports of call, Trinidad, Tobago, and Barbados where a Fire Party landed to help put out a fire in a Rum Distillery. At the beginning of the West Indies cruise the whole Flotilla Line Abreast, fired a 10 charge D.C.Pattern on the appropriate signal, followed by all 4.5in. Gunas carrying out a Rapid Fire exercise for Mr, A. V. Alexander who was First Lord of the Admirality in W.W.II. We then went up to Bermuda. (St.Georges & Hamilton), then back home to Chatham. At Xmas we were told we were to take part in OPERATION RUSTY (Arctic Trials for 42 days), My Action station was in the Ops room on the T.C.Calculator, (a nice cushy duty), while my fellow shipmates had to take the canvas covers off of the heavy duty tubes during night encounters, not a pleasant job in rough weather (quite a few moans).

Over Xmas leave we all moved into Brick Air Raid Shelters in R.N.B. Two Iron Stoves for heating!! Mess Deck Sweepers spent most of their time thieving Coal Coke & Wood, due to the 1948/49 fuel crisis fuel rationing was in progress, those in the top bunks slept in a haze of smoke & fog. The ship was lagged for cold weather, 50% of the Armament covered against Arctic Weather, steam heating fitted on upper deck for clearing ice off equipment, guns etc. All crew weighed on departure and on return by a R.C.N. M.O. some shipmates lost a stone in 6 weeks. Ships on the Op. Jan/Feb. 1949, were our chummy Chatham ship, St. Kitts, Aircraft Carrier Vengeance, a Loch boat, Submarine R.F.A. Jan Mayan Island was sighted at times in daylight. During daylight the ships remained amongst the Ice Flows firing armaments, D.Cs and one live torpedo fired at an Ice Pack, a spectacular sight. Tubes operated several times each watch, temperatures recorded in all compartments. About 3 hrs. Amongst the Flows in daylight, return south each day and meet rough weather each day/night. One night, HM Submarine ARTFUL had hydroplane trouble & couldn't dive to avoid the Force 8. A wave came over the open conning tower and one of the OOWs (Sub Lt J Strother) disappeared over the side. Both Gabbard & St. Kitts searched but without success, (not much chance for anyone in a cold freezing Force 8). I was selected with 5 other shipmates as a Guinea Pig for Arctic Clothing Trials, six different issued for Trial purposes, questionnaires & interviews carried out after 6 weeks. The new submarine Emersion suit was tried out in the water amongst the Ice Flows, numerous tests carried out from Action Stations, (Action Messing, Bathy Dips every 2 hours refuel/supply every 3 days from RFA). Lt Comdr. Fagin the F.TASO was with us on this operation (Spuds from the RFA usually frost bitten).

Spring 1949. The 5th. Destroyer Flotilla on F.O.S.Ms. Summer War for 4 weeks off N.Ireland visits to Londonderry & Belfast on completion. N.A.T.O. ships muster off Penzance, (48 ships), other visits to Grangemouth, Dundee, Amsterdam & Flushing. (First Tot). Fired Torpedo during ships open to visitors, as for U.K.Navy days. Portland Regatta: Gabbard won 5 races out of 8. (Presented with Silver Oar). Entered Chatham Dockyard with a big Cock on top of B Gun. (Cock of the Flotilla). Joined Vernon for T.D.2 course, much more intensive on Asdic, M.T. & fault finding, etc. Leant Morse code for S.S.T (No underwater Telephones). Blanks placed in air, fuel and pipes to check full routines carried out in Parting Shop on torpedoes.

1950: Draft to Chatham working on a small T.A.S centre in R.N.B. Draft to Cossack L.S Preston T D 2 was killick of 2 Mess, about 5 ex Arethusa boys also served onboard, 3 of us were in 2 Mess plus ez Leander lads. H.M.S. CONSTANCE was alongside Cossack and some Drafts altered between non subs. Soapy Watson L.S.T.D.2. joined us. Ship now had a Wartime Compliment, so all hammock billets were full, Locker tops & Stools was the routine, and inshore no hammocks slung, so it was crash out off watch on lockers or deck.

A/S watch was closed up from leaving Japan until return to Sasebo or Kure, no real A/S threat except mines. When on patrol either screening R.N. or U.S.N. Carriers or inshore bombarding, the main hazards were Contact Mines, (Moored or Floaters), Floaters would be dropped from N. Korean Junks up North and the currents on the E. & W. coasts would ensure they would be down South after several days. I recall our C.O. Capt. V.C. Begg standing on the bridge with his Bren Gun firing at the mines to explode or sink them also bofors used. Many of the off-shore islands changed hands at the front line altered & at times had to be supplied with Ammo & fresh water in empty Rum Casks. I had to take the motor boat inshore one night with a landing party, a Bren gun was always provided so as a T.A.S. rating I made sure I knew how to fire it. (Pat for L. Seaman on board Consort, B13 only took 6 weeks in those days). On one occasion the landing party returned with P.O.Ws & a large sack which turned out to be a N.Korean who was on the wanted list for atrocities, it looked as if he had been beaten to death. He was placed in the wash deck locker and taken to S.Korea.

1951: Okinawa 4 Co boats, 4 Fletcher class, U.S.N. Destroyers, we had approx 10 days Anti Sub exercises up to Tokyo Bay, then 1 day Anti Sub work with Sub from Yokosuka and chummy ship Constance (C), then a 24 hour leave (the only time in Japan), about four days in from patrol and under sailing orders, it was a case of clean ship, re ammo, store etc. and out. One night we did an Echo Sounder run on the West coast up to the Yala river, the next night we went again with the Belfast steaming astern, this time into the Yala river with Manchuria to Port & N.Korea to Starbd. (Long way from home). The Belfast fired 12 X 6Ó Broadsides at supply depots & transit points throughout the night, both ships returning to the South before dawn. 15 R.N. & Commonwealth ships were hit by the shore batteries, numerous U.S.N. ships were also hit, 1 R.O.K. surface ship sunk by surface action, 2 mined and 5 U.S.N. ships sunk by mines (6th M.S commissioned Oct 1950). On Cossack we were luck, fired on at Mokpo in the S.W. & Wonsan on the E.Coast. In the early days the U.N. were short of Minesweepers, the U.S. had rundown their minesweepers in the Pacific Fleet so ex Japanese M/S were used under contract. The Cossack was paid off in Hong Kong with another complete new crew of 240 men.

I had not completed my 2 ½ yrs station so I was drafted to H.M.S. JASEUR. I relieved the H.S.D. on board, the ship was in floating dock, all the A/S Dome etc in the bottom of the dock, the H.S.D. was 12 years man, retained for 18 months due to Korean war, he said Ò Lofty i ve lost 3 good conduct bandages since I ve been on boardÓ. He was not a happy man, like most of those who had been retained. The Admiralty in their Wisdom should have given them U.K. based ships.

Dec 1951: The crew were on their 2nd R. & R. at Pengang, I put in for 7 days R. & R. and was told the ship would undock in a couple of days time, therefore the Dome & equipment needed to be replaced & tested etc. I used my Vernon A/S notebook & BRs to replace all gear as I was now I/C Asdics onboard.

Jan 1952: Our Captain was F.H.Bone D.S.C.* & D.S.O.* (W.W.II. Submarine Ace). F.T.A.S.O. Lt. Cdr. Craven, (later Lt. Cdr. Drummond). T.A.S.I. was P.O.Petts. I/C S/W Deck was P.O Duploc, relieved later by P.O. Weston (Aggie). We didn t see much of the staff, except for exercises and visits up north, they lived in H.M.S. Terror, offices in Dockyard (A nice little number). Later in 52 we carried out a 7 day A/S exercise to French Indo China, then a Casex off Hon Kong, with a T class Submarine. I have a recollection of spending my 23rd birthday in Bangkok, the ship then went on to Hong Kong (minus 1 Seaman and Stoker). They caught up with the ship about 8 weeks later in Hong Kong. I remember loading the Ground Mines from Kowloon ammo depot & preparing them on sweep deck. To be laid in the area of Hiaphong, French sweep deck crews came on board for practice Streaming Sweeps, then the R.N. & French Sweepers (Ex U.S.N.) Swept the minefield, a few days in Hiaphong the down to Siagon and Singapore. Later the Jaseur steamed up to Bangkok, the Thai Airforce was bombing the Navy in the river, we steamed up to protect the British & business etc, the precious year during a coup the Navy lost a frigate, and in early 1951 in Korea one of their Frigates ran aground and had to be sunk by gunfire.

The Jaseur was built in Canada for col weather etc. our situation was Boiler Room below Mess deck, oil fired Galley amidships just off our Mess, plus funnel uptake. (No Air-Conditionning). We received ½. Hard layers, 6 pence a day, (Old Money), Less 1-Penny deducted for Income tax. (A grand life if you don t weaken). All ships in the Flotilla fired a 10 charge D.C. pattern prior to refit. The Lysander had fired her 10, then developed an engine fault, we had to steam overnight and tow her back to the Dockyard. On another occasion we had to rig up the D.C. Pistol test gear for our new F. T.A.S.O. An accident occurred with a pistol detonator, which of course meant an enquiry onvoard.

Spring 1953: Draft to Terror having been relieved by a UC2/TD2 recat to UW2 Killick I/C Transit Block waiting for Trooper. The War Office commandeered an Aussie Emigration ship bound for U.K. empty, and re-named it Empire Clyde, 4 lads to cabin our Cox n & a Lt. Were I/C of R.N. draft 80 men, remainder of personnel onboard were Army/R.A.F. & Families.

May 53: Arrived at Liverpool after 2 years 10 months away from U.K. Leave entitlement, 24 days for each year overseas, plus 1 day for each month served in Korea. A good Wack of Leave! Usual issue of B.R. Ticket, Ration Book, Money etc and off HOME.

Sept 53: Back to Chatham, then Draft to H.M.S. Aisne (4th.D.S.). Capt. ÒD  Agincourt (P)

Nov 53: Trials in the N. Sea with Barrosa (P), & Corunna (C).

Dec 53: The D.S. Did Guard Ship across the Atlantic when H.M. The Queen & Prince Phillip were flying to Canada, Aisne was West of the Azores, on station for 24 hrs in a Force 8, next H.M.C.S. Micmac from Halifax. Aisne was canteen boat.

Jan 54: H.F.on Spring cruise to Gib for exercises with The Med Fleet, I was informed tht our P.O. I/C TAS had been admitted into R.N.H. Chatham and I was to take charge of the TAS Party, a L/S UW2. I had to prepare two fish (Mk 9) at Portland for TFX in the channel, fire both fish and carry out recovery routine back at Portland prior to steaming to Gib. At Gib we were informed the squadron was to carry oout a full outfit firing, so it was off warheads, fit K9 practice and connect up to Air Vessels, it was a busy time, at sea Mon- Fri, charge the Avs & prepare 10 fish pver the weekend, at the end of the exercise I was told I had been recommended for the UW1 course, passed for P.O. onboard Corunna May 54. N6 on Capt D a CPO TASI of TAT fame and a host of TAS POs never gave me any assistance at Casablanca, alongside Agincourt etc. Squadron TASO said to me  Leading Hand, put the torpedo back up the tube and go ashore

Autumn 54: Draft to Vernon, our class prepared 24 mines one day on the fast Minelayer Appollo. We laid them next day in the channel off the I.O.W. then transferred to a I.M.S to sweep them. Returned to Vernon at 2200 hrs. and had a neat Tot. We cleared our Bagmeal in-between getting sweeps and we were introduced to the modified MK 8 Torpedo which was to run on H.T.P. (Rocket Fuel.). Back to Chatham, 6 weeks at Royal Arthur, a short period at the small T.A.S. centre then a draft to 3 Algerine at Hull & Grimsby. (H.M.S. Marmion, Skipjack & Cheerful). Return to Chatham 1955, then loan draft to Ganges with 10 UWs in 1956, we all designated H.M.S. Delight on recommissioning. On Ganges we were laying mines for R.K.O. Films, only one miss fire in 3 weeks and £2:10 shillings a day extra from R.K.O.

Draft to Delight (2nd D.S.). Captain ÒDÓ Daring (D). Defender (C). Diana (P). Work up out the Med so the 5th. D.S. could return home from Suez, fired live torpedoes at Filfa island off Malta, back to Dockyard to Paint ship, I was on a Boarding Party course so I missed Paint ship! Then on Cyprus patrol with Defender, but corrosion of aluminium tubes then meant a 3 month Refit in Gib, during this time I was asked to fire demolition charges off the Moles for a Film Company, the film was Silent Enemy starring Laurence Harvey & Sid James. At one time, PO Ferris (Defender) PO Walk (Diana). Boardings mainly at night, Aluminium Tubes, Brass didn t go well with salt water. All tubes completely stripped down in Gun Mounting shop (all Darings).

1958: Join the H.F. in the Clyde area. Hit in the stem by an Ocean going Tug at Greenock. One watch sent home on leave then up to Glasgow dry dock with a big V in the stem, Squid Projectiles moved for d to bring stern out of the water & De-Ammo all night. H.F. Autumn Cruise to West Indies, Darings & Battle class destroyers & S/ms. 3 days hove to in a Hurricane off Nassau called at Belize, Barbados, Antigua, Bermuda, then off to Halifax Canada, 5 days A/S exercises. (From shorts & sandals to Sea boots & Duffle coats. Pay off in Guzz for modernisation. Draft to Vernon assist instructors in Parting Shop with preparation of Torpedoes, Lt. Comdr . Underhill I/Torps, was Squadron T.A.S.O. 2nd. D.S Assist Tech Author for Mk.9.planned M.T. Sea Trials Dept. H.A.T.S. & S.A.T.S. I/C. Comdr. Spillar worked with Lt. Honeycombe ex. R.N.Z.N. & Later Lt. Prachet. T.A.S.I.Q. course instructor for UC3 & UC2s.

Draft to Diamond at Chatham 5th. D.S. Work up at Portland (R.A. Peter Gretton) besides the hard work up, Bill Bailey Capt ÒDÓ on Duchess also gave his squadron evolutions!

1962: Off the Med on 10 day Med Sub Aswex 5th. D.S.4, Turkish, 4 Spanish ex U.S.N, R.N. S/ms at 200ft. U.S.N. Shark (Nuc) at 400ft. Normal cruising & action A/S as required, our H/01 pump was defective, so we used 4x4s to keep it in the down position, gained contact with the Sharrk (Nuc) speed on plot 28kts, for 28 mins, good for a 164/174 Sonar set. Back at Malta our TASO was going on compassionate leave, so he handed all the books over to me, Inc BR re Air Charge Tablets, which were important as we fired 3 fish quite frequently . On the home leg of the General Service Commission we had Rosyth Navy Days, Bergen, Baltic, Stockholm, Sundsvall, Helsinki, Copenhagen. N. Sea via Kiel Canal, across to Invergordon.

H.F Exercise, prepare one Pistol/Warhead on a Sunday morning for firing on the firing range, (Cape Wrath area), one Dummy Run local midships sight. LS Buck Taylor UC2, fired on 2nd run, depth 28ft. (10 ft deeper than ships draught, the warhead exploded with a nice crunch bringing a large section of the cliff down. Duchess fired her torpedo which went out as normal, then made an 180 degree turn. (I understand T.C.M. took place).

Highlights of the Commission ref T.A.S. Detecting & Maintaining Contact with Nuc Sub at 8kts/28mins. (Herbert Lott Award. Winner of the Squadron Torpedo firing competition).

Trophy presented to our C.O. Captain H.H. Dannreuther by F.O.F.Med R.A. Eric Bush on the jetty at Gibraltar. ON both Darings I served on I had excellent T.A.S. party s on Delight most of the junior seaman volunteered for the T.A.S. branch, much to the disgust of their D.O. Ships Gunnery Officer who was not pleased. Paid off at Chatham. (Diamond adopted by DeBeers). Draft to Vernon, Instructor for UW1s & T.A.S.IQs courses.

1964: draft to F.O.S.T Staff worked with C.P.Os T.A.S.I.s (McCoy, Suffle, Neal, Watts & Lister), A/C.P.O. to C.P.O. period 3 years, 180 ships through work up. S.T.A.S.O.s Lt. Comdrs Tomlinson, Stainsbury, Powys-Maurice. Back to Vernon, Long Course Instructor, with Derek Malthouse.

1969: E.V.T. Course 4 week duration (London). Industrial course with Tom Marchant.

8 July 1969: Complete R.N. Service.