DS T H E T R A D E 265 599 JOURNAL

Freedom of the City of Derby to RN Submarine Service Granted 28 April 2002

Derbyshire Submariners Newsletter Issue Number 265 September 2021

EDITORIAL PAGE/S CONTENT I curse being on the computer when its Sunny, but 01 CONTENT & EDITORIAL I spend a lot of my time putting this monthly 02 WELFARE newsletter together, and enjoy the task entrusted 03/04 POLITICALLY INCORRECT PAGES to me by DS. I suppose with over 24 years I have

05 JEFF BACON © TWO TIFFS been doing it, to the present format, with only two serious 06 RNM POMPEY & NAVAL PARADE complaints, I will get better 07-08 UK RELATED DEFENCE NEWS with practice. So, yes, I enjoy 09 SUBMARINE DOLPHINS 50th researching, & compiling this

10 RNSM & SUBMARINERS MEMORIAL newsletter, and with 99.9% positive feedback since 1997 11 NL FEEDBACK UK/AUSSIE DOLPHINS when I started it for Derby 12 USA SUBMARINE NEWS SOCA, after I took over as

13-14 HMS URGE HISTORIC FACTS Chair, I will continue as long as the DS Members wish me to, and it serves its purpose of keeping 15 SUBMARINE DIVISION NL SUMMER the Derbyshire Members informed, advised and 16 MIDDLE & FAR EAST S/M NEWS hopefully something to smile about and enjoy? 17 RN SILENT ON S/M NO-CLAIMS BONUS Pge 24 gives the latest updates and sorry still not 18 RUSSIA SUBMARINE NEWS more positive! Pge 21 Aug TD. I have visited our

19 PRINTS OF OLD SHIPS & NARWHAL two WWI graves in Nottingham Rd Cemetery, & reiterate my appeal for Help to maintain these 20 N. AMERICAS & FAR EAST NEWS Graves by DS members. I used to visit three 21 DIESO BOAT REUNION (DBR) 2021 times a year plus Apr/Nov Ceremonies, and no 22 WORLD SUBMARINE NEWS visit since last Nov shows! There appears so

23 SUBMARINES & THE JOLLY ROGER much World Submarine News, almost warrants its own NL but members feedback to maintain this is 24 DS LOCAL NEWS AND SITREP positive. It gave me great pleasure transcribing

Tony Greaves Dieso Boat Reunion report on Pge 21 & and very much a feeling of ’Wish I was There’, especially for the Oggies!. It amply demonstrates that fact full socials are not on the menu for all yet, with a large majority of members taking extra care with their freedom of movement! DS BIRTHDAYS 2021 However, God Willing, there will be I am sure, though possibly not until 2022? 23 Sept Trevor Williamson (92) 24 Sept Lee Holtham STOP PRESS. It is imperative all DS members read my email 21/8 re HSBC Banking Charges, 17 Oct John Sayers and the impact on our group with is draconian new charge of a min of £60 per year per account plus A POSITIVE THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH charges for cheques and cash pay-in of cash! etc. Members are Requested to Respond on Action. Life certainly isn’t a Joke, But it does make me Terry Hall The Trade Journal Newsletter Editor Laugh at Times! Hon. Sec/Treasurer, Derbyshire Submariners’ [email protected] 1 WELFARE DOES MATTERS What Changes Should I Look out For?

Editor: In my experience men do not talk Needing to urinate more often than usual, amongst themselves of problems and know more especially at night. Difficulty starting to urinate. about Breast Cancer than they do about what can Straining or taking a long time to finish urinating, be serious problems affecting themselves. Thus, a week flow when you urinate a feeling that your despite having been a Welfare Worker for over bladder has not emptied properly, a sudden need thirty years I was not really fully aware of what a to urinate, sometimes leaking urine before you Prostate was, does, or the impact when get to a toilet and dribbling urine after you finish something goes wrong, and the fact you have no urinating. Less common changes include; Pain input into control or indeed prevention. The when urinating and pain when ejaculating. A Article below is not taken from the Internet but an small number of men get blood in their urine or information leaflet provided by Urology at the semen, or problems getting or keeping an NHS Royal Derby Hospital so IS FACT. I include erection. These symptoms aren’t usually caused it in our Welfare Section To give you any by a prostate problem, and are more often linked to other health problems. Answers, before you give me a Question. Urinary Problems are common in older men, but What is the Prostate? The prostate is a gland. this does not mean you have to put up with them. It is usually the size and shape of a walnut and There are ways to treat them and manage them grows bigger as you get older. It sits under the yourself. Talk to your GP if you have any of the bladder and surrounds the urethra, which is the problems above. You might find it helpful to tick any tube that carries urine (wee) out of the body. The problems you have and show your list to your GP. prostate’s main job is to help make semen, the fluid that carries sperm. Prostate Cancer can develop when cells in the prostate start to grow in an uncontrolled way. Who has a Prostate? Men*, trans women (A Prostate cancer is very common with 1 in 8 men in Trans woman is someone who was assigned the UK likely to get it in their lifetime. Prostate male at birth but identifies as a woman & they can cancer often grows too slowly to cause any develop prostate problems even if they have problems. But some prostate cancers grow more taken hormones. The prostate is not removed quickly and are more likely to spread. This is more during genital reconstructive surgery). None likely to cause problems and needs treatment to binary people who were assigned male at birth & stop or delay it spreading. some intersex people. So basically, it is a male problem not related to female except as above. Prostate Cancer Symptoms do not appear in early prostate cancer. That is why it’s important to What can Go Wrong? The most common know about your risk see below. However, some prostate problems are: An Enlarged Prostate, men may have difficulty urinating. Men with Prostatitis & Prostate Cancer. prostate cancer that’s spread to other parts of the Enlarged Prostate? An enlarged prostate is an body might have pain in the back, hip or pelvis, increase in the size of the prostate. It isn’t caused problems getting or keeping an erection, blood in by cancer. You might also hear it called benign the urine or semen, or unexplained weight loss. prostatic enlargement (BPE) or benign prostatic These symptoms are usually caused by other hyperplasia (BPH). An enlarged prostate is very things, but it’s still a good idea to get them checked common in men over 50. As the prostate grows, out straight away by your GP. it can cause urinary problems, including the Risks. You may be more likely to get Prostate symptoms listed in this article. There are ways Cancer if; Aged 50 or over. and increases as you to treat it. get older. If your father or brother has had it your 1 Prostatitis It is thought to be caused by an risk increases 2 /2 times and if you are black, 1 in 4 infection or by inflammation of the prostate It is will get prostate cancer in their lifetime. If you are not cancer. It is common and can affect men of overweight you might have a higher risk of being any age, but it’s most common in men aged diagnosed with prostate cancer that’s aggressive between 30-50. Symptoms vary from man to (more likely to spread) or advanced (spread outside man but can include urinary problems, aching in the prostate). Remember, urinary problems will the area between your testicles and back often be caused by something other than cancer, and there are treatments that can help you. passage, or pain in the lower part of your abdomen (stomach area), groin or lower back. What Should I Do? If you think you are at risk talk Note*: The info in this leaflet has been to your GP. You can also call the Specialist Nurses developed based on guidance and evidence in on 0800 074 8383 or Also, Know your Prostate; a men. If you are trans women, male assigned etc guide to common prostate problems from visit prostatecanceruk.org/trans-women prostatecanceruk.org. If Unsure, Ask! Terry Hall 2 UNPOLITICALLY CORRECT PAGES The Bum Skin. A married couple were in a

My New Email. I opened a new email today and it terrible accident where the man's face was said ‘Please Choose Your Password’ and as I am severely burned. The doctor told the husband naughty and always use the same password: that they couldn't graft any skin from his body ‘cabbage’, It's very easy to remember. But it seems because he did not have the un-hairy type the computer had other plans. The computer needed. So, the wife offered to donate some of responded, ‘Please enter your new password: her own skin. However, the only skin on her body Sorry, the password must be more than 8 that the doctor felt was suitable would have to characters. So, I entered ‘boiled cabbage’ Sorry, come from her buttocks. Owing to the sensitive the password must contain 1 numerical character. I nature of the situation, they all agreed that they therefore entered; ‘1 boiled cabbage’. Computer: would tell no one about where the skin came from. ‘Sorry, the password cannot have blank spaces. After the surgery, everyone was astounded at the Getting a little het up I entered; ‘’50 man's new face. He looked more handsome than bloody boiled cabbages’ ever! All his friends and relatives raved about his Computer; ‘Sorry, the password youthful appearance, especially his mother! One must contain at least one upper day, while alone with his wife, and overcome with case character’. ’50 BLOODY emotion at her sacrifice. He said, 'Dear, I just want boiled cabbages’ Computer; to thank you for everything you did for me. How ‘Sorry, the password cannot use can I possibly repay you? ‘'My darling,' she more than one upper case character consecutively’. Now getting really het up I entered ‘50 Bloody replied, 'I get all the thanks I need every time I see your mother kiss you on the cheek.' Boiled Cabbages Shoved Up Your Arse If You Don't Give Me Access now’. The Computer unperturbed The Air Hostess. A man boarded an airplane in as always stated; ‘Sorry, the password cannot Aberdeen with a box of frozen crabs and asked a contain punctuation’. Really losing me temper I blonde, female crew member to take care of the entered; ‘Really Pissed Off 50 Bloody Boiled box for him. She took the box and promised to Cabbages Shoved Up Your Arse If Y ou Don’t Give put it in the crew's refrigerator. He pointedly Me Access now’ Computer: Sorry, that password is advised her that he was holding her personally already in use! responsible for the crabs staying frozen, What Gender is the Computer? A language mentioned that he was a solicitor, and proceeded teacher was explaining to her class that in French, to rant at her about what would happen if she let nouns unlike their English counterparts, are them thaw out. Needless to say, she was grammatically designated as masculine or feminine. annoyed by his behaviour. Shortly before landing ‘House’ in French, is feminine - ‘la maison’, while in East Midlands Airport, she used the intercom ‘pencil’ in French is masculine - ‘le crayon.’ One to announce to the entire cabin, ‘Would the puzzled student asked, ‘What gender is a gentleman who gave me the crabs in Aberdeen computer?’ The teacher thought it would be a good please raise your hand?’ Not one hand went up, exercise to have the students decide what they so she took them home and ate them. thought the gender should be. So, she split the class Two lessons here: into two groups appropriately enough, by gender 1. Manners maketh man and asked them to decide whether ‘computer’ 2. Blondes aren't as dumb as most men think should be a masculine or a feminine noun. The Men's group decided that computer should The Wongs Su Wong marries Lee Wong. The definitely be of the feminine gender (‘la computer’), next year, the Wongs have a new baby. The because: 1. No one but their creator understands nurse brings over a lovely, healthy, bouncy, but their internal logic. 2. The native language they use definitely a Caucasian White baby boy. to communicate with other computers is Congratulations,' says the nurse to the new incomprehensible to everyone else. 3. Even the parents. 'Well Mr. Wong, what will you and Mrs. smallest mistakes are stored in long term memory Wong name the baby?' The puzzled father looks for possible later review. 4. As soon as you make a at his new baby boy and says, 'Well, two Wong's commitment to one, you constantly find yourself don't make a white, so I think we will name him. spending more money on accessories for it. Sum Ting Wong The Women's group, however, concluded that computers should be masculine ‘le computer’) because: Two Men Fishing. Almost Silently, so as not to 1. In order to do anything with them, you have to scare the fish, Dave says, 'I think I'm going to turn them on. 2. They have a lot of data but still divorce my wife. Do you know she hasn't spoken can't think for themselves. 3. They are supposed to to me in over 2 months.' Fred continues slowly help you solve problems, but half the time they ARE sipping his beer and watching his float then, the problem. 4. As soon as you commit to one, you thoughtfully says, 'You’d better think it over, realise that if you had waited a little longer you could Dave. Women like that are hard to find.' have gotten a better model! 3 Wonderful English from Around the World Prime Minister Visits a School Boris Johnson was visiting a primary school in North In A Bangkok Temple: It Is Forbidden to enter a Yorkshire where he looked in on one of the Woman, even a Foreigner, If Dressed As A Man. classes. They were in the middle of a Cocktail Lounge, Norway: Ladies are Requested discussion related to words and their Not to have Children in The Bar. meanings. The teacher asked Mr. Johnson if

Doctors Office, Rome: Specialist In Women and he would like to lead the discussion on the Other Diseases. word 'tragedy'. So, the illustrious leader asked the class for an example of a 'tragedy'. A little Dry Cleaners, Bangkok: Drop Your Trousers Here for the Best Results. boy stood up and offered: 'If my best friend, who lives on a farm, is playing in the field & a In A Nairobi Restaurant: Customers who find our tractor runs over him and kills him, that would Waitresses Rude Ought To See The Manager. be a 'tragedy.' No, said Boris, that would be On the Main Road to Mombassa, Leaving an accident.' A little girl raised her hand: 'If a Nairobi: Take Notice: When this Sign Is Under school bus carrying fifty children drove over a Water, This Road Is Impassable. cliff, killing everyone inside, that would be a

On A Poster at Kencom: Are You an Adult That tragedy.' 'I'm afraid not,' explained Mr. Cannot Read ? If so, We can Help. Johnson,' that's what we would call great loss'. The room went silent. No other children In a Restaurant: Open 7 Days a Week, & Weekends. volunteered. Boris searched the room. 'Isn't In a Cemetery: Persons are Prohibited from there someone here who can give me an Picking Flowers from any but Their Own Graves. example of a tragedy?' Finally, at the back of Tokyo Hotel's Rules and Regulations: Guests the room, little Johnny raised his hand. In a are Requested Not to Smoke or Do Other quiet voice he said: 'My Daddy’s a submariner. Disgusting Behaviours In Bed. So, if a plane carrying you and your entire

On the Menu of a Swiss Restaurant: Our Wines cabinet was struck by a 'friendly fire' missile & Leave You Nothing to Hope For. blown to smithereens, that would be a tragedy.' 'Fantastic!' Exclaimed Boris. 'That's In a Tokyo Bar: Special Cocktails for The Ladies right. And can you tell me why that would be With Nuts. tragedy?' 'Well,' says little Johnny 'It has to be Hotel, Yugoslavia: The Flattening of Underwear a tragedy, because it certainly wouldn't be a with Pleasure Is the Job of the Chambermaid. great loss and knowing my Dad, it probably

Hotel, Japan: You are Invited to Take Advantage wouldn't be an accident either!' of the Chambermaid. Have You Ever Been Guilty of looking at others In the Lobby of a Moscow Hotel across from a your own age and thinking, 'surely I can't look that Russian Orthodox Monastery: You are Welcome old? Well, my name is Jill Jones and I was sitting to Visit the Cemetery where famous Russian and in the waiting room for my first appointment with Soviet Composers, Artists and Writers are Buried a new dentist. I noticed his DDs diploma, which Daily Except Thursday. bore his full name. Suddenly, I A Sign Posted in Germany's Black Forest: It Is remembered a tall, handsome, Strictly Forbidden on our Black Forest Camping Site dark-haired boy with the same that people of different sex, For instance, Men and name had been in my school Women, live together in One Tent Unless they are class some 40-odd years ago. Married with Each Other for this purpose. Could he be the same guy that I Hotel, Zurich: Because of the Impropriety of had a secret crush on, way back Entertaining Guests of the opposite sex in the then? Upon seeing him, Bedroom, it is suggested that the Lobby be used for however, I quickly discarded any such thought. this Purpose. This balding, grey-haired man with the deeply

Advertisement For Donkey Rides, Thailand: lined face was way too old to have been my Would You Like To Ride On Your Own Ass? classmate. After he examined my teeth, I asked

Airline Ticket Office, Copenhagen: We take your him if he had attended Morgan Park Grammar Bags and send Them ln all Directions. School, 'Yes. Yes, I did.' he gleamed with pride. 'When did you graduate?' I asked. He answered, A Laundry In Rome: Ladies, Leave your Clothes 'in 1959. Why do you ask?' 'You were in my Here and spend the Afternoon having a Good Time. class!’ I exclaimed. He looked at me closely. Due to Covid. Sweet Caroline is Banned. There Then, that ugly, old, bald, wrinkled, fat, grey will be No touching hands, reaching out, touching haired, decrepit son-of-a-bitch asked, 'What did me, touching you. you teach?' 4 JEFF BACON © CARTOONS A SONNET FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT Author Unknown thus we Credit them Anonymously

The Grass is Always Greener

When I was in the Navy, I wanted to be out, No more daily orders, no more PO’s shout, No more middle watches, no more skipper's rounds, No more swing of hammocks, no more tannoy sounds.

No more pussers dhobi, no more number ones, No more saluting officers, no more bang of guns, No more jackstay transfers, no more RAS at night, A very high opinion of Civil Servants and Civilians No more heaving rough seas, (Not) is prevalent in most Navies of the World! Put no more brass so bright. your own interpretation on the Chiefs comments! No more action stations, no more pussers kye, THE TWO TIFFS No more call the hands, no more bread so dry, Up in Faslane, the Tiffs wife had been pregnant No more noisy engines, no more lifebuoy ghost, for some time and now the time had come. He No more seven days number nines, brought her to the doctor and the doctor began to no more mail to post. deliver the baby. She had a little boy, and the But when I’d left the Navy and settled down outside, doctor looked over at the Tiff and said. 'Hey, Tiffy! The bad times soon forgotten, You just had you a son!’ 'Ain't that grand!' The the tales I’d tell with pride, Tiff said excitedly, but just then the doctor spoke Now I miss the things I’ve seen and done, up and said, 'Hold on! We are not finished yet!' and it doesn’t seem so bad. The doctor then delivered a little girl. He said, 'Hey, Tiffy! You also have a daughter!!!! She is In fact, I’d recommend the life to any enquiring lad. a pretty little thing, too.' I miss borrowing clothes for a run ashore, The Tiff was kind of even if they didn’t fit, I miss going for a ‘Smally Porsh’, or even a little bit, puzzled by this and then the doctor said, 'Hold on, I miss a Dinner time Sesh, and Rabbit Runs, we aren’t got done yet!' and movie runs and more, The doctor then delivered I miss the Exped’s and the Banyans, another boy and said, and even the messdeck bore.

'Hey Tiffy, you just had I miss make and mends and long weekends, yourself another boy!' and the rush to catch the bus or train, The Tiff said to the I miss the mates I had, now lost touch, doctor, 'Doc, what caused all of them babies?' but hope to meet again, The doctor said, 'You never know Tiffy, it was probably something that happened during I miss the arguments at Tot Times, conception.' The Tiffy looked very pre-occupied sippers, gulpers, and Queens. trying to work it out finally saying, 'Ah yeah, during I miss traveling the world, And seeing things that civvies could only dream. conception.' When the couple went home with their three new born children, he sat down with Translation Service available to OD’s & Civies! his wife and said, 'Darling, do you remember that night I came home from patrol and discovered DIESO BOAT REUNION 2021 that we ran out of Vaseline and we had to use that When the Bus Passes came out Mick Sharratt 3-in-1 Oil.' She said, 'Yeah, I remember that night decided to attend from all right.' The Tiff then said, 'I'll tell you what, it's Derby to Plymouth a bloody good job we didn't use the tin of WD-40! making it a two-week jaunt. So, I asked my Jillian Carson-Jackson 2nd President at The Oppo if he was going Nautical Institute has penned ‘Lock Down for 4 this year, and was, he weeks with access to fresh food, good internet, able thinking of cycling to to go outside for exercise, and they protest for Plymouth to the DBR to ‘freedom’. Meanwhile, Seafarers are ‘Locked raise money for charity? Down’ on ships for months, a year or more, often It must be the best unable to go ashore, at all! And then, there are excuse going that apart those who can’t join ships to do their jobs, and earn from a family wedding money for their families. More often than not there his bike was in for a is no government support to help them through! service!! Do you ‘Freedom’ takes on a different meaning for, recognise the submariner rider, and it is his bike! #seafarersarekeyworkers. Amen Ma’am He has featured in our newsletter in the past! 5 Discounted Tickets - Historic Dockyard Pompey On Behalf of the RNA You are Shipmates are planning a visit to Portsmouth Historic Invited to Attend the Dockyard during the summer months should be NAVAL ASSOCIATIONS PARADE aware that Central Office have renegotiated At the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London discounted entry to the Portsmouth Historic On Sunday 12 September 2021

Dockyard please see the below for details; This occasion will afford us the very special Annual Ultimate opportunity, as well as commemorating our war Explorer ticket offer: dead as is the tradition, to commemorate all of our Save 30% off the shipmates who cross the bar during the Covid annual Ultimate Explorer tickets at Portsmouth pandemic, whether taken by the virus or not. We Historic Dockyard. Tickets are valid for the year feel it is important that we mark their passing as allowing you to return again and again. The Ultimate many were not afforded the due marks of respect at Explorer tickets give you access to: The Mary Rose, their funerals, which they might normally have HMS Victory, HMS Warrior, HMS Alliance at the RN enjoyed because of the necessary Covid restrictions. Submarine Museum, Harbour Tour, Plus more. For those wishing to march in the parade, we ask Offer is valid on one family Ultimate Explorer ticket or that you join us at King Charles Street, London, up to four adult, senior or child Ultimate Explorer SW1A 2AN by 10000hrs at the latest. Rig; Tickets. To get this discount, simply show your RNA Blazer/jacket and your Association Tie or Lounge Membership card in the Visitor Centre, Portsmouth Suit, Medals and berets. Optional, Serving RN are Historic Dockyard. Tickets can also be purchased welcome to attend in either No 1’s (Medals, neg online at https://www.historicdockyard.co.uk/tickets- swords) or lounge suits/ladies equivalent. and-offers and entering code DEFNMRN01 at the Spectators will be able to view the parade from checkout. When purchasing tickets online, your Whitehall on the pavements surrounding the RNA Membership card will need to be shown when Cenotaph. We would be delighted to see as many collecting the ticket in our Visitor Centre. Tickets are Veterans from the wider Naval family take part as Currently Priced at - Adult (age 16-64) £39, Senior possible to celebrate this unique Naval occasion. (65+) £38, Child (age 4-15) £29, Family 1 (1 Adult & Queries ring 02392 723747 or email up to 3 Children) £95, Family 2 (2 Adults & up to 3 [email protected] Children) £120. Day Ticket Offer Veteran Day Tickets are now available to purchase in our Visitor World Uckers Championships 2021 – Update Centre for £20. These tickets given you access to all Hopefully you should be aware that the Uckers the amazing attractions in the dockyard for the day. World Championships will be held in the Victory To purchase this ticket, please show your valid RNA Arena Portsmouth Naval Base on Sat 23 Oct card in the Visitor Centre. These tickets cannot be 2021. Thank you to all those who have entered purchased online. Offer valid on up to four tickets. the competition we are looking DS Editor: With lock-down I have dipped out forward to seeing you on the day. 2020/21 with no Annual Trip to Pompey but I used to It was original envisaged that a purchase my Historic Dockyard Ticket through Tesco series of pre finals day knock out Vouchers which currently on the web are a ‘Third of rounds would be played but it has the Price’ but differ in cost from above (on the web been decided that this is not 2/8) with due to Gate and Web differences. Adult necessary. Further specific Ultimate Explorer Tickets £44, Child Ultimate details of the competitions Final Explorer Tickets £34, Senior Ultimate Explorer Day arrangements will be published/promulgated Tickets £43. You don’t need to pay for your tickets in the next few weeks. Finally, please see details in full with Clubcard vouchers, you can top up with a of the World Uckers Prize Draw being run credit or debit card. Vouchers can be used towards courtesy of RNRMC. Looking forward to seeing individual adult, senior and child Ultimate Explorer you all. Remember when practising don’t use up Tickets on the gate only. Children under 5 go free, all your Sixes!!! no ticket required. Vouchers cannot be used online, for Laser Quest, Mini Port, the Mary Rose, the Victorian Christmas Festival, family tickets, group bookings, annual memberships, food outlets or shops, or in conjunction with any other offer or discounts. Voucher codes for Ultimate Explorer Tickets must be exchanged for gate price tickets at either Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Visitor Centre, Victory Gate, Portsmouth, PO1 3LJ or The Royal Navy Submarine Museum, Haslar Jetty Road, Gosport, PO12 2AS. When you arrive at the museum, please inform the Visitor Experience Right, that’s the New Rule on team member that you are purchasing with Tesco Eight Piece Mixy Blobs Sorted vouchers. Photo acknowledgement to Ton Talk 6 UK RELATED DEFENCE NEWS 'global champion'. A Cobham spokesman says: 'We have offered assurances that appropriate Skirmish with Russian Sub Shows Ultra is undertakings will be offered to the UK Government.' Critical to Royal Navy Since the Mediterranean incident, HMS QE has led Matt Oliver The Daily Mail 28 July 2021 the CSG through the Suez Canal towards As Britain's flagship aircraft carrier sailed through Singapore. The predator hunting Ultra is still very the waters of the Mediterranean last month, it found much at large, however. itself targeted by a Russian submarine monitoring activity in the region. HMS QE, the largest and most powerful warship constructed for the RN, was US-Owned Firm’s $3.5 Bln Takeover Bid for UK leading a Carrier Strike Group (CSG) to the Indo- Defence Manufacturer ‘Shocks’ Ex-Head of RN Pacific. The Russian predator, believed to be a Oleg Buruno Sputnik 24 July 2021 Kilo-class diesel-powered attack submarine from Ultra Electronics manufactures key defence the Black Sea fleet, was spying on the nine-vessel equipment for the UK Armed Forces as it remains group as it passed Cyprus. But it was not long world leader in making sophisticated submarine- before predator turned prey as naval chiefs detecting sonars. The British Govt has said it is scrambled two Merlin Mk2 submarine-hunting ‘closely monitoring’ the proposed £2.58b ($3.55b) helicopters to drop high-tech sonobuoys into the takeover of the engineering group Ultra Electronics water to listen for the distinctive sounds emitted by by a rival company. The statement came a day the sub. The devices relay signals back to British after Ultra said that its board was ‘minded to aircraft and ships and are a crucial part of the UK's recommend’ a £35($48)-a-share offer from the maritime defences. They are also perhaps the best- British aerospace manufacturing company Cobham known piece of equipment made by Ultra Limited, owned by Advent International, the Electronics for the armed forces. Along with American private equity firm. The developments sonobuoys, its sonar and radar systems form part are almost certain to alarm the UK MoD, given the of the Navy's 'eyes and ears', watching for fact Ultra Electronics provides the RN with state-of- torpedoes and other threats, while power and the-art submarine-hunting sonobuoys and sonar signature management systems keep vessels equipment capable of detecting torpedoes for hidden from adversaries. military patrol aircraft and warships. The company is also as a supplier to key UK military programmes Ultra's tracking systems also direct guns aboard pertaining to the F-35 and the Typhoon fighter jets. Type 45 destroyers, and help F-35B Lightning jets Former senior British military chiefs have also land vertically on the Queen Elizabeth. But the voiced concern over a $3.5b bid for Ultra London company is now being targeted by its own Electronics, referring to potential national security predator, US private risks and damage to the UK’s manufacturing base. equity giant Advent ‘This shocks me, the government is essentially International. Advent giving up on the UK having sovereign capability in has proposed a areas that are important to the security of the nation. £2.6billion takeover of the British firm, with Ultra makes some really important stuff, technology the Ultra board at the cutting edge that allows us to beat our 'minded' to accept the opponents’, Admiral Lord West, the ex-head of the 3500p per share offer. RN, was cited by The Telegraph as saying. He then The Americans made spoke of ‘extremely troubling’ situation that the the approach through government ‘talks about us having sovereign Cobham, another capability, whether it’s defence or areas such as the British defence ability to make medicines in times of emergency, company it snapped but yet again it looks like ownership that will go to up for £4billion last the Americans’. The view was shared by General year. And that deal is Sir Lord Dannatt, former head of the Army, who being held up by critics argued that ‘there is a domestic jobs aspect and as a reason why the what it [the potential deal] means for the nation’s buyout firm should industry’. According to Dannatt, London ‘seems to never get its hands on have walked away from having an industrial Ultra. Kwasi strategy’. The two were echoed by UK lawmakers Kwarteng, the from the Defence select committee, with Labour MP Business Secretary, is Kevan Jones urging Cabinet ministers to ‘step in as taking 'an active a matter of urgency’. ‘The Ministry of Defence interest' and has needs to focus on vital UK businesses needed for asked officials to sovereign defence being sold. The UK industrial monitor the situation. and technology base is being hollowed out by An intervention on national security grounds is foreign takeovers and there seems no sense of possible, should a formal bid be lodged. urgency about tackling that’, Jones emphasised. 7 China Warns UK on South China Sea naval standoffs, ‘China's actions have been Frank Gardner BBC Security 30 July 2021 calibrated as being well below the threshold of China has warned the UK's Carrier Strike Group, anything that would start a shooting war’. led by the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth not to carry out any ‘improper acts’ as it enters the UK to Nationalise Naval Steel Firm contested South China Sea. 'The People's RCN News & Jane’s, 29 July 2021 Liberation Army Navy is at a high state of combat The Ministry of Defence (MoD) says it has agreed readiness' says the pro-government Global Times, to acquire a steel producer that is a critical supplier seen as a mouthpiece for the ruling Chinese to the Royal Navy (RN) and had previously been Communist Party (CCP). China has been closely subject to a takeover bid by Chinese investors that monitoring the progress eastward of the Carrier was blocked on national security grounds. The MoD Strike Group, which is currently sailing through the will pay £2.6 million (USD $3.6 million) for Sheffield South China Sea en route to Japan, while accusing Forgemasters International Limited (SFIL) and will Britain of ‘still living in its colonial days’. The RN invest over £400m in the next decade to upgrade has been carrying out exercises with the the firm’s facilities, which produce large and Singaporean Navy and Britain's Defence Sec Ben specialized steel castings and components for the Wallace has made no secret of the intention to RN’s warships and submarines. The MoD said the conduct a so-called ‘Freedom of Navigation’ purchase was necessary to ‘secure supply of exercise through the South China Sea. Contrary to defence components,’ but the ministry will continue a 2016 international court ruling, China claims much to accept bids from outside suppliers and intends to of that sea as its own and has been busy building return the firm to the private sector in the future. UK artificial reefs and runways, some of them close to to nationalise naval steel firm Sheffield the territorial waters of neighbouring states. Both Forgemasters ‘UK to nationalise naval steel firm US and RN warships have recently challenged Sheffield Forgemasters’

China's claims to sovereignty in the South China What Happens to British Ships when satellites Sea by purposely sailing through it. don't work? The Royal Navy and Britain's merchant So, the question now is: will we see a close fleet, along with most others around the world, rely encounter similar to the one that took place in the on satellites for navigation - but what happens if Black Sea in June when the UK's HMS Defender, a they don't work? It's a question that troubles the Type 45 destroyer, was buzzed by Russian former First Sea Lord, Lord West of Spithead, who warplanes as it passed close to the disputed has spent months trying to find out if the UK has a Crimean peninsula? ‘China is not looking for a back-up plan. ‘My concern is that those people who direct confrontation with a major US ally in the are not friends with us are looking at ways to knock South China Sea’ says Veerle Nouwens, a senior out satellite communications,’ he says. ‘I thought I'd research fellow at the Royal United Services ask the government, I thought they'd have Institute (Rusi), a London think tank. ‘But it will processes, but it became very clear from their certainly make its intentions clear.’ If the UK answers that they don't understand what the conducts freedom of navigation exercises through problem is. ‘There's no proper system for achieving that sea, then Ms Nouwens believes we are likely to communication if satellites collapse.’ See more at see a repeat of what happened when HMS Albion https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-57440787 sailed through it in 2018. It was closely shadowed by a Chinese warship from just 200m away, warning Foreign Raids on UK Defence Firms it to leave, while Chinese aircraft flew low over the Francesca Washtell Daily Mail 4 Aug 2021 British vessel. China has been holding extensive Admiral Lord West is the latest public figure to military exercises in the region this week, practising sound the alarm on takeover offers for British beach assaults in a move that has worried some defence companies Meggitt and Ultra Electronics, analysts it is preparing to eventually invade Taiwan. The Admiral believes there would be a ‘real risk’ to the UK’s long-term security and military capabilities The PLA Navy will use the UK's Carrier Strike if the FTSE 250 firms are sold, Meggitt has agreed Group's presence in the South China Sea ‘as a a £6.3 billion deal with US industrials giant Parker- chance for practice and for studying the UK's latest Hannifin, while Ultra Electronics said in late July it warships up close’, says the Global Times. It was ‘minded to accept’ a £2.6billion bid from quotes a spokesman for the Chinese embassy in American private equity giant Advent International. London as saying: ‘The threat to freedom of West’s intervention comes as politicians and the navigation could only come from the one who industry have become alarmed by a raid on ‘UK plc’ deploys a carrier strike group to the South China by foreign buyers and private equity groups keen to Sea half a world away and flexes its naval muscles snap up companies whose values have plunged to heighten the military tension in that region.’ But during the pandemic. Meggitt’s board has backed while the arrival of the Carrier Strike Group in the the deal but it will still need shareholder sign-off, region has provoked some angry words from while Ultra’s suitor Advent has not yet tabled an Beijing, Rusi's Research Fellow for Naval Power, official offer. Sidharth Kaushal, points out that when it comes to 8 Royal Navy’s Gold Dolphin Badge Marks most technically challenging training courses in 50 Years of Pride for Submariners defence for good reason. The Submarine Qualifying Forces News 15 July 2021 Course provides future submariners with the Submariners’ insignia that was once presented to knowledge essential for joining their first RN qualifying trainees in a traditional tot of rum, which submarine. A spokesperson for the Submarine they had to drink back until the badge hit their teeth, Service at HM Naval Base Clyde, Faslane, said: ‘The is marking 50 years since its inception in 1971. The course instils the absolute professionalism Gold Dolphin Badge, awarded to qualifying demanded by the Submarine Service with trainees submariners who have passed what is thought of as required to demonstrate an intimate understanding one of the most technically challenging courses in of more than 30 complex engineering systems which defence before they join Britain’s fleet of nuclear operate the nuclear submarines and keep the crew submarines, is considered a mark of pride and safe. ‘Prospective submariners join SMQ for the ‘dry respect within the RN to signify those who maintain phase’ (shore-based phase) of their training. After Britain’s Continuous a Sea Deterrent. Cdre Jim successfully completing a final exam, oral board, and Perks CBE, Head of the RN Submarine Service, walk-rounds of a nuclear submarine, they pass-out, said: ‘The Dolphin Badge represents the ethos of joining a RN nuclear submarine for their next phase the RN Submarine Service and our values of of training known as the ‘wet phase’. ‘Students operational excellence, unswerving commitment, complete their SMQ training at sea and it is only then absolute professionalism and team unity. ‘It is a that they are entitled to wear the coveted gold real ‘badge of honour’, and one that signifies that dolphins, the mark of a qualified submariner.’ He the recipient has completed one of the most added: ‘Traditionally, the Gold Dolphins were challenging training courses in defence and is ready presented in a tot of rum, the recipient having to for one of its most challenging, but fulfilling, catch the badge in their teeth.’ missions.’ Nowadays, health and safety has put What Is a Black Dolphin Badge? RN Submariner paid to the tradition of drinking back the rum to Trainees now also get to wear their own badge of receive the badge upon qualifying to the service, but honour after they were given the right to wear the insignia is nevertheless still presented with a tot ‘Training Dolphins’. The men and women of rum to keep the tradition alive. undergoing initial Royal Navy training, who have This is just one of the many RN traditions that chosen, or have been selected, to join the involve rum, which has played a significant part in Submarine Service can wear a badge similar in size the history of the service. Once qualified, the and design to the traditional Gold Dolphins, but this submariners will then be a part of Britain's is black in colour. The new badge was introduced submarine defence operation, which is certainly on 25 September, 2020. continuous. For 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, History of the S/M Service Dolphin Badge The the RN Vanguard-class submarines patrol the RN’s Gold Dolphin Badge introduced in the 1970’s world’s oceans on a mission to carry the nation’s was based on a design used by the Australian Trident missile defence system that defines the Navy, which issued its first submarine branch badge United Kingdom’s strategic nuclear deterrent. in 1958, initially to be worn on the left sleeve. Adm Earning the badge is no easy task, submariners Sir Tony Radakin, the First Sea Lord and Chief of must first pass a series of brain-aching training the Naval Staff and who is the professional head of courses, exams and practical procedures to the UK's RN and Naval Service, paid homage to the demonstrate they have the expert knowledge badge's history in a post on social media that needed to join the highly professional ranks of marked the historic milestone, saying: ‘Today Britain’s Submarine Service. This could include marks the 50th anniversary of the first presentation everything from nuclear power and reactors and of Dolphins to RN submariners. ‘Based on an how to maintain one on board a submarine, to the Australian Navy design, Dolphins are awarded to all complex technical systems that keep a submarine newly qualified submariners. Traditionally they’re in operation and ready to unleash its deadly cargo presented in a tot of rum.’ In 1950’s Australia, it was of nuclear warheads should the unthinkable need thought submariners would be proud to wear ever arise in the nation’s defence. insignia that would distinguish them from the rest of Trainees face an intense 18-week course that is the navy and to recognise the specific role they made up of hours of classroom-based learning in played in naval operations. Cdr Alan McIntosh RAN the first part, or ‘Dry Phase’ of training, before they came up with the design and Australian sailors who then shadow crew members at sea to learn the qualify as submariners are now awarded a badge practical skills and professional experience of the based on that insignia which depicts two dolphins complex operations of a submarine in the ‘Wet and a crown. Phase’ of training, before then having to The thinking behind why a Dolphin was chosen, and demonstrate what they have learned to pass the not say, a shark or other sea predator, is not entirely qualification. To qualify to wear the Gold Dolphin, clear but is understood to have come from the idea trainees must pass the Submarine Qualifying that Dolphins are a familiar sight on seafaring Course, or SMQ, which is considered one of the journeys, as pods of the sea mammals swim 9 alongside many a navy vessel and perhaps too Prince Michael Visits RNSM Gosport because they were popular, and familiar, among Tom Cotterill Portsmouth News 23 Jul 2021 the wider public. Before the official design was Prince Michael of Kent was given a tour of introduced in Australia, a sample group of sailors Gosport’s Royal Navy Submarine Museum, were asked to wear a Dolphin Badge for a year where he was able to meet with the team tasked as a test, before a survey was carried out. There with preserving the history of the ‘silent service’. are reports that there had been some initial The prince, who is the Queen’s cousin, last resistance to the design among some ranks but visited the naval attraction in 2016 and was the positive feedback from the survey convinced accompanied by the Lord Lieutenant of the Australian Navy to push ahead before it was Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson. Among the highlights officially introduced to all submariners in 1958. of the royal’s latest trip around the heritage site

Britain's RN Submarine Service decided it too included the museum’s newest exhibit, Silent and wanted to present its submariners with a badge Secret, which explores the history of the nuclear of honour to highlight their distinct role in the navy deterrent at sea. He early in the Seventies, and based its design on also went in Holland the Australian version before introducing it 1, to learn more officially in the UK in 1971. It was the first official about the insignia marking the Submarine Service as conservation distinct within the RN since its first submarine, challenges behind the RN’s first submarine which commemorates its Holland 1, was launched and the service was th born in 1901. 120 anniversary later this year as well as stopping at the memorial garden to see the Wall Through both world wars and other global of Remembrance. Sarah Dennis, executive conflicts, what is now known as 'The Silent director of resources at the National Museum of Service' has proven itself time and again as an the RN, was grateful for the royal’s visit. ‘The indispensable fighting arm. Submarines combine prince took time to chat with members of the the qualities of stealth, endurance and flexibility, museum’s team of volunteer guides about the characteristics which give them unparalleled important work they do telling their first-hand freedom to operate worldwide in support of experiences of the submarine service to our national and coalition operations. Today, the visitors and took a quiet moment visiting the Royal Navy Submarine Service is headquartered Garden of Remembrance.’ at HM Naval Base Clyde on the west coast of Scotland. The navy’s Flotilla of Vanguard-class Enhancements to the Submariner Memorial ballistic submarines and the conventionally- Dear Supporters, During the final design and armed HMS Talent and the Astute-class of development stages of the memorial it has vessels are all based at the site in Argyll & Bute. become apparent that some new opportunities to The Faslane Naval Base will also be the future improve on the original concept will produce an home of the Dreadnought-class of submarines. even more fitting tribute to submariners and their families. The memorial will be Black Hat Covers for Submariners mounted on a long, low grass Last week on the 50th Anniversary of the covered mound to give the introduction of Dolphins the First Sea Lord impression of the submarine tweeted: ‘To recognise the unique ethos of the just below the surface. It has Submarine Service within the RN, approval has also been decided to cast the entire structure in been given for bronze, the original plan had been to use copper all qualified sheet for the sides of the fins, but bronze will give submariners, a much more resilient and tactile finish. ratings and officers, to wear The impact of these improvements means costs black cap have inevitably increased. Since our pre- covers as of pandemic estimate, material and labour costs today. Black have climbed, meaning that we now have a covers will now higher sum to raise - a total of about £460,000. be the default We do feel this is achievable given our except for ceremonial events.’ The photo is from performance so far and future plans. Thankfully the Imperial War Museum and is captioned: ‘The fundraising for the appeal continues to go well officers of HM Submarine Seraph on her return to with over £350,000 now in the bank and more Portsmouth after operations in the promised. Our intention is still to dedicate the Mediterranean, 24 Dec 1943. memorial in May 2022. 10 NEWSLETTER FEEDBACK batches of four boats. Only six boats were

HM Submarine Badges & Dolphins FU Up Pg9 delivered; the seventh and eighth were cancelled in The First Royal Navy submarine cuff badge was 1971 to fund the acquisition of ten A-4 Skyhawk introduced for ratings in 1958, but proved unpopular aircraft for the Fleet Air Arm. The final Royal Navy and was commonly described as submarine to be based in Australia, HMS Trump, was withdrawn in 1969. the 'pregnant sausage' or 'sausage on a stick'. Owing to Aussubronone Mid 1970’s. HMS Odin was based this few were actually worn. on HMAS Platypus in Sydney just below the Coat Depicting a submarine hanger running with the Australian boats before the embroidered in gold on dark blue order for the Oberon Class were curtailed.& cancelled. cloth, red on dark blue cloth and blue on white cloth, Photo: Oberon S/M leaving Platypus. Sydney it was worn on the left cuff. The badge was never officially issued but was available through private purchase. Perhaps this was the real reason for its unpopularity.

On the 15th of July 1971 the first officially issued pin badges were awarded at a ceremonial division. Nicknamed the 'Kissing Dolphins' or 'Kissing Kippers' they are still worn with great pride today. The badge consists of a fouled anchor below a St Edwards crown with an inward facing dolphin on either side. All ranks and rates wear the same insignia on the The History of the Aussie ‘O’Boats. The first left breast above any medal ribbons. The Australian Oberon class submarine, HMAS Oxley, submarine badge is now universally known as was commissioned on 21 March 1967. She was 'Dolphins'. followed by her sister ships; Otway (1968), Ovens (1969), Onslow (1969), Orion (1977), and Otama The Royal Navy submarine branch cap tally (1978). Orion and Otama were more capable than originally bore the name of the submarine prefixed the previous four boats, as they were fitted with by HMS or the submarines Pennant number advanced communications monitoring equipment. prefixed by HM SUBMARINE. This was altered to All of the Oberon class submarines were based at HM SUBMARINE on its own, and still later to its HMAS Platypus, on Sydney Harbour. The Oberon’s present format of HM SUBMARINES. proved very successful and saw extensive service Many thanks to Weebly.com and Mr Baz Craker at the during the last decades of the Cold War. This RN Submarine School for the above historical data service included conducting risky surveillance Royal Australian Submarine Dolphins The RAN missions against India and Communist nations in issued Dolphins to Submariners before the UK and South East Asia. These missions were cancelled in are slightly larger than ours with no scales. The 1992 when an Australian submarine, believed to be final RN submarine to be based in Australia, HMS Otama, became tangled in fishing nets and was Trump, was withdrawn in 1969. The crew of Trump forced to surface in the South China Sea. The were, I understand issued by the RAN with Oberon class regularly conducted exercises with Australian Submarine Dolphins before the return to the Special Air Service Regiment (SAS) and to a UK and disbandment of SM4 after the British lesser extent the 1st Commando Regiment and the Government advised the Australian Government Clearance Diving Branch. In 1980, the SAS was that reductions in the RN Conventional Submarine tasked to develop a maritime counter terrorist Force meant that the capability together with the clearance divers and 4th Flotilla was to return conducted the first ever swimmer release from a to the United Kingdom. submerged Australian submarine. Onslow was The impending fitted with a four-man diving chamber for exit and withdrawal of the British submarine flotilla sparked re-entry of SAS swimmers. As part of the the fourth attempt to establish an Australian Government's Two Ocean Navy policy submarines submarine service. While the Department of were homeported at HMAS Stirling in Western Defence advised the government that three to six Australia from 1987 and the HQ of the Australian submarines should be purchased for training Submarine Squadron moved to HMAS Stirling in purposes, following the intervention of then-Senator 1994. The Oberon class boats were gradually John Gorton the Government instead approved the decommissioned and replaced with new Collins purchase of eight submarines to form a submarine Class submarines during the 1990’s. The final strike force. Eight British Oberon class submarines Oberon Class boat, HMAS Otama, was were ordered in 1964, to be built in Scotland in two decommissioned on 15 December 2000. 11 USA SUBMARINE NEWS the extent of the upgrades or its new capabilities.

U.S. Navy’s Virginia Class Submarines to Get The Trident II missile is carried on the USN’s 14 76% More Firepower Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBN), and Subsim News 17 July, 2021 well as the Royal Navy’s four Vanguard-class The Virginia Class submarine is already heavily SSBNs, though these carry British-built warheads. armed. Each boat can carry up to 37 torpedo-sized The Ohio-class is slated to be replaced by at least 12 weapons, such as Tomahawk cruise missiles. boats of the Columbia-class beginning in the late Twelve of these slots are in two vertical launch 2020’s, while other projects are underway to systems (VLS), known as the Virginia Payload modernize the entirety of the US nuclear arsenal, including its warheads and delivery vehicles. Tubes. The new Block V (5) batch of submarines will add 28 more slots in its VLS. This is an increase of USN Second ‘Ghost Fleet’ Unmanned Ship 76% of torpedo-sized weapons. The U.S. Navy is Mike Schuler MNA News 30 July 2021 planning to build between 72 to 78 new attack A U.S. Navy ‘Ghost Fleet Overlord’ unmanned vessel submarines. Ten of these will be the Virginia Block V has completed a second long-range autonomous boats, 8 of which will be up-armed as described here. transit, traveling from the Gulf Coast to the West Based on a recent briefing document from the Coast via the Panama Canal. The unmanned surface Congressional Research Service, reported in US vessel (USV), named Nomad, travelled total of 4,421 Naval Institute News, a total of 31 Virginia Class nautical miles, 98% of which was in autonomous submarines will ultimately have this fit. When it was mode. The first Ghost Fleet Overlord vessel, Ranger, originally conceived the Virginia, Class was seen as completed a similar transit in Oct 2020. Both vessels a cheaper alternative to the larger Seawolf Class. passed through the Panama Canal while in manual The Seawolf had been designed during the Cold War mode. The USN said the Nomad transit provided an to counter the latest Russian submarines. But the opportunity for extended testing of vessel endurance, Russian types were mostly cancelled (or massively autonomous operations, and interoperability of delayed) in the post-Cold War period. Therefore, government command, control, communications, only three of the expensive Seawolf’s were computers and intelligence systems with vendor eventually built. Yet while the Virginia Class was autonomy, hull mechanical and hull electrical smaller than the Seawolf, it took advantage of new systems. Remote mission command and control for technologies and itself became a world-leading the transit was conducted from an ashore Unmanned nuclear powered attack submarine. Operations Centre operated by U.S. Navy Sailors

The Block II Virginias continued to focus largely on from Surface Development Squadron One. ‘This is production efficiency. The Block III’s took this another significant milestone for SCO’s Ghost Fleet further with enhanced construction techniques. At Overlord program and supports the Navy’s the same time, they received a new conformal main Unmanned Campaign Framework by adding a sonar array in place of the traditional spherical array second Overlord vessel to the West Coast. The SCO found on earlier U.S. Navy submarines. Their Ghost Fleet Overlord program serves to inform Navy vertical launch system was changed from 12 single prototype efforts by integrating mature technologies to tubes to two ‘Multiple All-Up Round Containers’. accelerate Service priorities and is a key piece of the These are the Virginia Payload Tubes. The Block IV, build a little, test a little, and learn a lot philosophy which are mostly still under construction, again articulated in the Navy Unmanned Campaign focused on reducing cost. They also improved Framework,’ said SCO Director Jay Dryer. The Ghost availability. But the improvements were iterative and Fleet Overlord program plays a central role in mostly hard to see. Outwardly Block V will be more informing the Navy’s new classes of USVs and serves visibly different, with a new weapons module and as part of extensive technical risk-reduction efforts. additional sensors. They will be extended with the The program is currently in its second phase, which addition of an 84’ (25m) section to accommodate the began in September 2019 and focuses on the four new vertical launch tubes. Each of these will be integration of government-furnished command-and capable of carrying 7 Tomahawks. The new VLS is control systems and payloads and more complex and termed the Virginia Payload Module and will also be challenging naval operations. Phase II is being suitable for future weapons and alternative payloads. conducted with the same vessels and industry teams that took part in Phase I and will conclude in early After Delays, the Navy Takes Delivery of First 2022, at which point both Ghost Fleet Overlord Improved Nuclear Warhead vessels will transition to the Navy for further Military.com, 14 July 2021 experimentation. Two additional Ghost Fleet Overlord The upgraded warheads for the US Navy’s (USN) prototype USVs are currently under construction. Trident II D5 submarine-launched ballistic missiles ‘Our close partnership with SCO on the Overlord (SLBM) are ready to enter service after more than program is accelerating the technology 11 years in development. The new weapon is an demonstration, CONOPs [concept of operations] update of the original W88 warhead, which was development, and operational command and control introduced in 1988, and is designated the W88 Alt of unmanned surface vessels in direct alignment with 370, though there are few public details regarding the Navy’s plans. 12 SOME HISTORIC FACTS ON HMS URGE The men who operated from submarines such as From old SOCA News produced by Ray Gritt, these Upholder, Urge, Utmost & Unique all feature as two were in the Sept 1986 Edition Letters page. ‘aces’ worthy of more recognition today. The island of Malta was an important naval base in the Sea Memories Resurface. Memories of a wartime Mediterranean and one that was constantly submarine lost at sea have been resurrected by bombed by the Italians and Germans, who realised Bridgend Town Council. HMS Urge was adopted what a thorn it was in their sides. The submarines during WWII by the council of the day who were at Malta underwent terrible bombardment in 1941- presented with a large wooden plaque decorated 42; at one stage, the incoming submarines with the Submarine’s insignia. But for many years returning from patrols had to dive to avoid enemy it has lain forgotten in the cellars of the town council planes and stay below until their next patrol. building in Glanogwr, until it was unearthed by Undoubtedly the two great heroes of the former Mayor, Cllr. Mrs Jenny Phillips. Now the 2’ Mediterranean were David Wanklyn and Teddy high plaque has been renovated and will take pride Tomkinson, CO Upholder and Urge. Lt Cdr R.D. of place in the council’s HQ. and Cllr’s are eager to Cayley DSO commanded Utmost, and Lt A.F. trace any relatives of the 27 strong crew which were Collett DSC had command of Unique. presumed drowned when the submarine was lost in 1943. Mrs Phillips said ‘We should be very proud Wanklyn was a gentle, bearded Scotsman to be associated with this ship and it must have (affectionally known as ‘Wanks’), whose modesty been very sad when she was lost.’ The 540 tin belied his mammoth achievements. During his submarine was built at Barrow by Messrs Vickers at brilliant naval career in the Mediterranean, he sank a cost of £200,000. It’s CO, was Lt Cdr E. over 20 ships totalling more than 120,000 tons of Tomkinson was awarded the DSO & Bar. I’d love shipping. For his deeds he was awarded the to find out more about her said Cllr Mrs Phillips. Victoria Cross and three DSO’s. The action that Courtesy of the South Wales Echo. earned him the VC was the sinking of the 17,000-

Dear Mr Gritt, I am a fifteen-year-old grandson of ton troopship Conte Rosse, the Red Count. On the Lt Cdr E.P. Tomkinson DSO, RN, who was lost in night of 24 May, 1941, Wanklyn sighted three command of Urge in April 1942. I have been vessels on the surface coming towards him as attempting to research my grandfather’s career and Upholder recharged her batteries on the surface. exploits of Urge, and have written to a number of Her remaining torpedoes were well spent in sinking people who may have had contact with ‘Tommo’. the Conte Rosse, something of an achievement My letters have received most kind and informative when one considers the 5 destroyers and 36 depth replies and have led me to wonder if there might be charges which were in action against her. It was a more people who had known my grandfather or any great blow when Wanklyn was lost in April 1942. of the Urge’s crew before they were lost? I would Soon, the naval base at Valletta in Malta was struck be most grateful if you might publish a small note in again when the other great Cdr was lost two weeks this effect in the SOCA Newsletter, and ask later. anybody who might be able to help to get in touch Tomkinson, my grandfather, had sunk a 10,000 with me. I enclose a copy of a rather humble article ton tanker even before he reached the that I have written. Many thanks in anticipation of Mediterranean. He arrived later than Wanklyn, but your help, Yours sincerely, Francis Dickinson. his deeds, too were immense. In Urge he sank over This Article from SOCA 70,000 tons of shipping, receiving a DSO & Bar and News December 1986 just before his death, two years seniority. ‘Tommo’ 1 Over the years, many was a huge man, standing 6’ 4 /2’, a stature quite heroes from WWII have unsuited to the U-Class submarines such as Urge, received mentions in the which were rather smaller than the ‘T’ or ‘S’ Class columns of Coin & Medal News, (Token Publishing) submarine of the last war. He had a huge sense of but while I hold in honour the names of all who humour as well and was apt to play practical jokes fought in the last war, I feel that certain branches of on his colleagues. One of Tommo’s achievements the services have had insufficient recognition. In was the sinking of a tanker and a supply ship in May particular, I am thinking the Submariners of the last 1941. He sighted two tankers and two supply ships war. In 1940 Churchill said, of the pilots in the Battle escorted by five destroyers and with frequent but of Britain, ‘Never in the field of human conflict have guarded peeps through Urge’s periscope. so many owed so much to so few’. A fine statement Tomkinson gave the plotted speed and other co- and, I think, one worthy of the brave exploits of the ordinates to be converted into the Director Angle, or pilots who flew sortie after sortie to protect our DA, of firing. The white rail of the torpedoes speed island from the Luftwaffe. However, I think that one through the water and the fact that all four hit their can apply the same statement with equal realism to targets was an endorsement of Tomkinson’s skill. the Mediterranean submariners who, by 1942, had As with all submariner crews. Urge was manned by sunk almost 4000,000 tons of Axis shipping against a closely bound group of men and Tommo’s friend great odds from their base in Malta. and second in command, Lt Allen received a DSC. 13 There came a time when the 10th Submarine Flotilla These reports and writings were compounded by had to leave Malta. After the loss of Wanklyn, Capt sonar images taken by a Belgium Diver J.P. Misson G.W.G. ‘Shrimp’ Simpson, Captain(S) of SM10 http://www.bridgend- (who received a CB), ordered the evacuation of today.co.uk/article.cfm?id=123&headline=Piece%2 Malta. My grandmother has told me that Teddy 0of%20town%E2%80%99s%20history%20is%20fo assured her that he would never be lost on patrol und...§ionIs=news&searchyear=2015 and he wasn’t. He was lost late in April, when five In 2019 The University of Malta led team came up submarines, among them Urge, were sent to with a claim that Urge was not at Marsa el Hilal but off Alexandria on passage. Only, four arrived safely Malta having hit a mine on departure. The MoD have and Urge was never seen or heard of again. stated to JP Misson that he will need to provide Tomkinson had done eighteen patrols and the photographic evidence of the wreck he believes is newspapers of the time stated that his was the first Urge, but their appears no interest in investigating the ‘double’ DSO (i.e. the first DSO and bar) for one set many abnormities between the video and still photo’s of actions, both being gazetted in Dec 1941. now accepted as 100% as being the final resting place Doubtless, but for these submarines, thousands of of HMS Urge https://www.livescience.com/hms- tons of enemy shipping would have reached North urge-submarine-identified-no-secret-mission.html Africa and Rommel’s tanks would have had the fuel, supplies and troops that they so desperately A Statement.by J.P. Misson needed to delay the victory of Montgomery and the If I were British, I would be very worried to see how Eight Army. Ray Gritt. Francis Dickinson, aged 14, easily my MoD has been deceived by a few is our very youngest contributor and it is fraudsters led by Platon Alexiades who happens to encouraging to see such interest and ability coming be simultaneously their Subject Matter Expert and from a younger generation of medal collectors. one of the Claimants who pretend HMS Urge has been found Off Malta! This fraudulent Claim is a Thus, when this article appeared in SOCA News Deliberate Falsification of History, a Betrayal of 44 it was still assumed Urge had been lost to a mine brave submariners, a Lie told to their Families However, due to confirmed Italian and German War because; As early as 29 April 1942, HMS Urge has Reports listed in column one and books and other been a Tomb on the seafloor of the Bay of Marsa el reports there was evidence that Urge had lain on Hilal, Libya. The date of her loss is written in plain the seabed after being sunk by Italian aircraft in the good English at National Archives Kew. (Catalogue), bay of Marsa el Hilal off Libya. HMS Urge never hit a mine Off Malta, on 27 April, as falsely claimed! The Date 29 April and the Cause of the loss of Urge (to Italian aircraft) was confirmed by Historians like Ackerman and Rohwer and by many Authors of books on the subject, long before I published the image of Urge obtained from a sonar search at Marsa el Hilal in 2012.

Sonar images of HMS Pandora & P39, falsely claimed to be showing Urge & the two forged still pictures, published in Live Science & Times of Malta, said to be showing the letters URGE, will never be able to change History as wished by the grandson of Lt. Cdr, Tomkinson! Since this False Claim concerns a military event of WW2, this matter must now be put to the International Committee for Military History. JP

Editor Trade Journal. Those that know me well, know Remembrance & Service Not Self the Motto. of the British Legion in the mid 1960’s, is my firm belief and ethic of Life of Service helping others. Thus, to be telephone interviewed by the Police following an accusation lodged with them of a Hate Crime printing public documents on Urge, following an Official Complaint by a leading British member of the Malta Claim campaigners, beggar’s belief. This article was compiled before that interview & both sides have accused each other of fraud in their claims, I have only reported both sides fairly, not to be accused in this manner after nearly 30 Years ex RN, & all I know is the Final Resting Place of HMS Urge is open to question, with two separate claims both saying they are right, & I do not Hate, nor have I slandered anyone!! Terry Hall 14 David, his wife Jennifer, and four of the SMQ instructors to tour his factory in Uddingston. Picking them up in his Rolls-Royce, he also welcomed them into his home and then took them for dinner at a nearby Italian restaurant. ‘He was a real gentleman,’ said Chief O’Neill. HRH Prince William Officially opens New SMERAS ‘To say thank you, I manufactured Facility Commodore-in-Chief of the Submarine a gift for Sir Boyd, a desk ornament Service, HRH Prince William, was at HMNB Clyde for his office made from parts from on 26 June, to meet with personnel and officially the submarine HMS Onyx. ‘The open the new Submarine Escape, Rescue, Dumbarton and District MS Group Abandonment and Survival (SMERAS) facility. The will use his generous funding to help maintain the Prince began with an update on operations from the important services they provide to those with MS and Submarine Flotilla, before visiting Thetis Building to their loved-ones.’ If you would like to help the Group officially open SMERAS. ‘We were delighted to host contact CPO O’Neill on 01436 674321 ext 7588. our CinC to open this fantastic and world-leading submarine escape training facility,’ said Capt Ian Astue-Class Submarine HMS Artful recently Breckenridge, in charge of submarine training with hosted students from the Submarine Command Fleet Operational Sea Training. ‘His Royal Highness Course – ‘Perisher - as they were put through their toured the entire building, met training staff and paces with the Carrier Strike Group. Much of the students, and enjoyed some hands-on operation of Perisher training takes place within the classroom or the escape towers and wave generators.’ The £34M on simulators, but for the last few weeks students facility takes over from the previous Submarine move onboard a submarine where they can pit their training facility, SETT (Submarine Escape Tank skills against warships and other Trainer), at HMS Dolphin in Gosport submarines under the supervision of which officially closed last year. Other ‘Teacher’, Cdr Ben Haskins, and his development work at HMNB Clyde team. On this occasion the includes the construction of a new prospective submarine Cdrs were up £100M Submarine Training School. RN against HMS Queen Elizabeth and Submarine School training is currently the Carrier Strike Group. The students were put held at HMS Raleigh in Cornwall but through a series of high-tempo scenarios, including will be transferred to the new Faslane gathering intelligence on shore installations and facility in the future, along with the warships. Three students successfully completed Defence School of Marine Engineering, the course and will look forward to their next the Nuclear Systems Group and Nuclear assignments as submarine XO’s. Department, and HMS Sultan in Gosport. Head of The Submariner Community joined with the RM the Submarine Service, Cdre Jim Perks, said: ‘This Corps of Drums recently to help celebrate the 100th visit has been an excellent and important opportunity birthday of Jim Booth. Jim is considered one of the to update the Submarine Service’s CinC on recent unsung heroes of WW2, especially for his role as the operations. It has also provided us with an Cdr of a mini-submarine working with a special opportunity to highlight the ongoing work on the Clyde to make the Naval Base the RN’s Submarine covert group set-up before D-Day to improve invasion techniques and collect details of the Centre of Specialisation. ‘These are exciting times to beaches. The submariner veteran was told by family be a Submariner at HMNB Clyde as we continue to members that he was being treated to a birthday tea shape the future of the Service. at Bidwell House in Devon on 9 July, but unbeknown SMQ CHARITY Drive takes the Biscuit. Inventor to him, his family arranged for Brig Jock Fraser RM, & manufacturer of the legendary Tunnock’s Tea to have surprise musical accompaniment from the Cake, Sir Boyd Tunnock recently hosted personnel RM Band. Speaking about his birthday, Jim said: ‘In from the Submarine Qualifying Course (North) on a the run up to the big day cards started to arrive tour of his factory in Uddingston. The tour came through my letter box and, in the end, there were about after SMQ Chief Instructor, CPO David well over 100 from submariners alone! I enjoyed O’Neill, made contact with Sir Boyd during a reading every one and they are still on display for my fundraising drive for The Dumbarton and District MS visitors to see.’ Jim also received hand-made gifts Group. The Group, which David supports in his from young submariners, and, at Bidwell House was spare time, helps those with MS and their families joined by Lord Ivar Mountbatten, son of Lord Louis live well and provides a network where they can Mountbatten who was Jim’s boss when he operated share experiences. However, during the pandemic, in Normandy and Burma. The submarine community the group’s funds have been depleted and Sir Boyd contacted Jim around four years ago after he was stepped up to donate £1k for the good cause. SMQ victim of a violent attack at his home in Taunton. has matched his donation with cash raised from Ever since then they have kept in regular contact donations, raffles and auctions. Sir Boyd also invited with the veteran and his family. 15 Taiwan’s First Indigenous Submarine Indian MoD Issues a Request for Proposal for to be Launched in 2023 The Construction of Six P-75(I) Submarines Matthew Strong, Taiwan News, 24 July 2021 Martin Manaranche Naval News 27 July 2021 The launch of Taiwan’s first indigenous submarine The RFP was issued to shortlisted Strategic Partners and the delivery of heavyweight torpedoes by the or Indian Applicant Companies for the project. U.S. States are expected to take place earlier than Project-75(I) envisages indigenous construction of first scheduled, reports say day (July 21). While the six modern conventional submarines (including submarine would have made its maiden voyage associated shore support, Engineering Support during the first half of 2024 and fully entered service Package, training and spares package) with in 2025, military officials now say its first trip should contemporary equipment, weapons & sensors take place in Sept 2023, the Liberty Times reported. including Fuel-Cell based AIP (Air Independent The government Propulsion Plant), advanced torpedoes, modern has drawn up a missiles and state of the art countermeasure budget of systems. This would provide a major boost to the NT$49.3 billion indigenous design and construction capability of (US$1.75 billion) submarines in India, in addition to bringing in the for the first vessel, with work beginning last year. The latest submarine design and technologies as part of assembly should be completed by the end of next the project. These five foreign firms are the world year, while electronics systems will be fitted in early leaders in the field of conventional submarine 2023, according to the report. The submarine’s design, construction and all other related maiden journey will be followed by months of testing technologies. The foreign OEMs will be the before the Navy can officially take delivery in 2024. technology partner in the SP Model. Foreign OEMs If everything develops according to plan, the military will enable SP for construction of submarines, would like to procure between eight and 12 more achieving high levels of indigenisation, and ToT for submarines, with each batch of two or three vessels various technologies. These OEMs would enable more advanced than the previous one. By the end setting up of dedicated manufacturing lines for these of the delivery period, the first submarine would be submarines in India by providing ToT for submarine upgraded to match the sophistication of the later design and other technologies and make India the vessels, the report said. In addition, the military will global hub for submarine design and production. The try to bring forward the delivery of 46 torpedoes from project would not only aid in boosting the core the U.S. to 2026 from 2028 in light of the rising threat submarine/ship building industry but would also from China, the Liberty Times reported. The greatly enhance manufacturing/industrial sector, torpedoes are MK 48 Mod 6 Advanced Technology especially the MSME by development of an industrial (AT) heavyweight models manufactured by eco-system for manufacture of associated Raytheon. spares/systems/equipment related to submarines. In order to achieve these objectives, the RFP has key Thai Navy Outlines Submarine Plan features like mandatory level of indigenous but Procurement Faces Funding Hurdles’ manufacture of platforms, ToT for design/ Jane’s & RCN News, 19 July 2021 manufacture/ maintenance of submarines and a few The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) has renegotiated the critical equipment and systems, setting up of an eco- purchase of two additional Yuan-class (Type 041) system in India for such indigenisation and diesel-electric submarines from China to lower up- incentivisation for other key technologies, etc. The front costs, though the project still faces significant overall aim would be to progressively build parliamentary hurdles. The RTN had contracted for indigenous capabilities in the public/private sector to the acquisition of the two boats for USD $685m, but design, develop and manufacture complex weapon this expenditure was strongly questioned and systems for the future needs of the Armed Forces. shelved in Sept 2020 amid emergency COVID-19- This will be an important step towards meeting related spending. The RTN has since renegotiated broader national objectives, encouraging self- the contract with China (in Thailand, each military reliance and aligning the defence sector with the branch handles its own procurement) to reduce ‘Make in India’ initiative of the Government. payments in fiscal 2022 by one-third, with the goal of having three fully operational subs by around Iranian Navy Ships Enter the English Channel 2026. However, this plan is opposed by both the The Drive & RCN News, 19 July 2021 pro-military government and opposition, as COVID- Two warships from the Islamic Republic of Iran 19 infections have surged in recent days and may Navy (IRIN) transited the English Channel on 19/7 require additional emergency spending. Southeast as part of the IRIN’s first-ever Atlantic deployment. Asia appears to now be in a classical submarine IRIN Ships Makran, a 111,530-tonne former oil security dilemma, as Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, tanker, now a converted sea base, and Sahand, the and the Philippines all either have, are in the IRIN’s most advanced frigate were reportedly process of, or are seriously considering submarine shadowed by the UK’s Natural Environment buys to counter their neighbours’ capabilities, as Research Council ship RRS Sir David well as increasing Chinese bellicosity in the region. Attenborough during their transit. 16 RN Silent on Nuclear Submarine Crashes The Ferret asked whether such a review had taken Rob Edwards The Ferret 5 Aug 2021 place and for details of its conclusions. In response The RN has refused to say whether anyone was the navy said that it ‘constantly reviews its training disciplined following an incident in which a nuclear requirements to ensure our personnel maintain the submarine nearly crashed into a ferry carrying 282 highest professional standards.’ A FoI asked MoD people off the Scottish coast. The RN also won’t say for the final report on the near-miss incident & asked whether it carried out an independent review to ‘what corrective or disciplinary action was taken reduce the risks of future collisions. This was towards the RN submarine personnel involved’. The recommended by government investigators MoD’s response on 28 July 2021, after an internal concerned about the near-miss and two other review, failed to provide any information. Releasing nuclear submarine crashes. Campaigners accuse the incident report ‘would prejudice the UK’s ability to the navy of using the excuse of national security ‘to defend itself’ and undermine ‘national security’, it cover up dangerous incompetence’. The Scottish said. On disciplinary action, the MoD refused to National Party (SNP) condemns the secrecy as confirm or deny whether any information was held in ‘absolutely untenable’. The RN says it has tightened order to protect ‘personal information’. It was not in its procedures, insisting that ‘appropriate action’ was the public interest to release information which could taken. But it would be ‘inappropriate’ to comment on lead to submarine officers being identified, it argued. individual cases, it adds. Burt disputed the need for secrecy. ‘Astonishingly, On 6 Nov 2018 a naval submarine based at Faslane the RN seems to be more interested in covering up near Helensburgh came within 50 to 100m of a Stena for its own officers rather than showing the public that Superfast ferry crossing from Belfast to Cairnryan in action has been taken to prevent such an incident Dumfries and Galloway. The ferry was carrying 215 from happening again,’ he said. ‘We have to passengers and 67 crew. The incident became consider the sobering thought that there is a real public in Jan 2019 when the UK Government’s possibility that a Trident submarine commander and Marine Accident his crewmates are continuing to sail around scot-free Investigation Branch after nearly having sunk a passenger ferry and their (MAIB) announced it was own submarine.’ He argued there was ‘no logical launching an inquiry. Its reason’ to say nothing about action against officers. report, published in July ‘It’s hard to avoid the conclusion that national 2020, blamed the RN for security is being used as a pretext to cover up putting the ferry ‘in dangerous incompetence,’ he added. The 50-strong immediate danger’. A UK and Ireland group of nuclear-free local authorities collision was only avoided described the ferry near-miss as ‘alarming’ and because a ferry officer called on the MoD to put its house in order.

spotted the submarine’s The RN said it had accepted the recommendations periscope peeping out of of the report and took action in 2018 to prevent a re- the sea. This was ‘extremely fortunate’, the MAIB occurrence. The 2020 MAIB report listed eight report concluded, as it led to the ferry quickly altering measures that had been put in place. ‘Appropriate course. There had been a ‘serious risk’ of a crash, action was taken in this case. It would be the report said. ‘Given the relative speed and inappropriate to comment any further on individual movement of the two vessels, there was every cases,’ the RN said. It also declined to confirm chance that the ferry would have suffered significant which submarine nearly hit the ferry. Reports underwater damage.’ The report criticised the suggested it was a Vanguard-class boat, which can submarine crew for making key safety decisions such be armed with Trident nuclear missiles, possibly as turning towards the ferry and staying at periscope HMS Vengeance. ‘We do not comment on depth ‘based on inaccurate information. It also submarine operation matters but can confirm there highlighted similarities with two previous crashes. were no nuclear safety issues during this incident,’ In April 2015 the fishing trawler, Karen, was dragged said a navy spokesperson. ‘Ensuring safety at sea backwards and ‘partially submerged’ off N. Ireland is a top priority for the RN, which is why we welcome after its nets were snagged by a nuclear submarine. this report and have already taken action to tighten In July 2016 the nuclear-powered submarine, HMS our training and procedures.’

Ambush, collided with a merchant ship, Andreas, The Ferret reported in July that the MoD had been near Gibraltar. MAIB blamed all three incidents on allowed to keep annual reports about nuclear ‘the absence of a sufficiently accurate picture of weapons safety secret. The reports have surface shipping to support safety-critical decision- previously revealed 86 ‘regulatory risks’, including making.’ It recommended the RN conducted ‘an shortages of nuclear engineers. The full response independent review’ of its remedial actions to ensure report is at Royal Navy silent on nuclear submarine they had been ‘effective in reducing the risk of crashes (theferret.scot) collision between dived RN submarines and surface vessels to as low as reasonably practicable.’ Editor: The 8 Page MoD response to the FoI request is straight from ‘Yes Minister’ TV Programme! 17 Russian Navy Submarine Dives to Great Russia’s Navy Day to Showcase Naval Power Depths in Baltic Drills The Russian navy will mark its 352nd anniversary Maritime Press Clippings & TASS 07 Aug 2021 in St Petersburg and other ports around the country. According to the Baltic Fleet’s press office, during the Maritime Press Clippings 27 July 2021 shipborne exercise, the crew of the diesel-electric A major naval modernisation program under submarine practiced tasks at various depths, diving President Vladimir Putin in the past decade has to a maximum depth of 190 meters (Just over 600ft) blunted the significant downsizing and budget cuts of The crew of the Project 636.3 Varshavyanka-class the Post-Soviet era. Despite this, the navy’s ability to diesel-electric submarine Krasnodar went deep project force on the open oceans is limited, forcing diving during drills in the Baltic Sea, the Baltic Fleet’s Moscow to prioritize coastal and territorial waters. press office reported ‘During the shipborne exercise, Therefore, Russia’s defence policies aim for naval the crew of the diesel-electric submarine practiced dominance in border regions such as the NATO- tasks at various depths, diving to a maximum depth facing western border, particularly in the Baltic Sea. of 190m the press office said in a statement. The To this end, expect the Navy’s Baltic fleet, based submariners checked the operation of all the primarily in the Russian European exclave of submarine’s systems and mechanisms and Kaliningrad is to undergo further modernisation. This practiced vessel control systems at big depths and territory hosts Russia’s only all-year Baltic port not for different surfacing methods, the statement says. prone to freezing over in winter, making it key to After completing its underwater exercise, the crew of Russia’s Baltic naval efforts. Modernisation will likely the submarine Krasnodar surfaced and continued include increasing investment in missile systems like assignments in accordance with the Fleet’s combat the S-400 on land and Kalibr cruise missiles on training plan. At the next stage of the drills, the smaller coastal ships, which can strike targets 1,500 Krasnodar sub will deliver torpedo fire against miles away and sink larger NATO warships. The underwater and surface targets, lay minefields and strategic importance of Kaliningrad to Moscow is practice dodging a Ka-27 anti-submarine warfare only likely to increase in the medium-term future helicopter, the press office specified. The series of which fuels the ongoing build-up of NATO forces in Project 636.3 diesel-electric submarines differs Eastern Europe to counter Russia. considerably from previous Varshavyanka-class subs. They feature the upgraded inertial navigation For More Russian Submarines Laid Down system, the latest C4I (command, control, TASS 3 Aug 2021 communications, and computer information) suite Russian shipbuilders to lay keel of six warships and and advanced missile and torpedo armaments. The submarines on 9-10 Aug, 2021. According to the Krasnodar sub is designed for fighting surface ships source, the shipyards will lay down two strategic nuclear-powered submarines, two and submarines, laying minefields and conducting two corvettes and reconnaissance. The sub features a low acoustic Varshavyanka-class conventional subs. The signature as its major advantage. (H’m 600’ Deep?) shipyards of Russia’s United Shipbuilding Corporation will lay down six warships and Russian Nuclear Submarine Lost Propulsion in submarines in the domestic shipbuilding industry told Danish Waters, sails submerged outside TASS. There are plans to lay down two Project 955A Norway now’ Borei-A-class strategic nuclear-powered missile- RCN & Barents Observer, 04 Aug 2021 carrying underwater cruisers, two Project corvettes The Danish Navy says that the Russian Federation and two Project 636.3 submarines,’ the source said, Navy Oscar II-class nuclear guided-missile adding that the launch of the warships’ construction submarine (SSGN) Orel appears to have suffered a was previously planned to take place on the eve of loss of propulsion while transiting the Danish Straits Russia’s Victory Day on 9 May. Two strategic while en route to the North Sea on 30th July. The nuclear-powered submarines will be laid down at the submarine was in the Kattegat sea and travelling in Sevmash Shipyard in Russia’s northwest, two consort with the Udaloy-class destroyer Vice- corvettes at the Amur Shipbuilding Plant in the Admiral Kulakov and a fleet tug when a Danish Russian Far East and two Varshavyanka-class patrol vessel, which was escorting the Russian conventional subs at the Admiralty Shipyard in St. Federation Navy group through Danish waters, saw Petersburg, the source specified. The Sevmash the submarine stop in the water, and its crew Shipyard will lay the keel of the strategic nuclear- prepare towing lines for the RFN tug. The RFN powered underwater cruisers Dmitry Donskoi and declined assistance from the Danish vessel, and Knyaz Potyomkin, the Admiralty Shipyard will lay the submarine was able to continue under its own down the submarines Mozhaisk and Yakutsk (the power, but reportedly submerged once it reached fifth and sixth subs in a series of six Project 636.3 the North Sea to continue its passage back to the diesel-electric submarines for the Russian Pacific Northern Fleet at Murmansk. Various officials, Fleet) while the corvettes that will be laid down at the including in Denmark and Norway, which took over Amur Shipbuilding Plant have been named the tracking of the RFN vessels, have expressed Grozny and Buiniy, he said. TASS has received no concerns regarding potential issues with the official comment from the United Shipbuilding submarines’ nuclear propulsion. Corporation yet. 18 Welcome to Jack's Taxi - Original Limited Before ordering, please note that these are my artistic Edition Royal Navy Ship Artworks & More! impressions of the ships, not photographs. And that www.jackstaxi.net due to ink absorption on the cotton canvas paper Home to the UK's largest collection of short run used, the colours on the finished artwork will be limited edition artworks of Royal Navy ships & slightly less bright but slightly 'deeper' than the digital submarines both past and present. This site has versions used to illustrate the artworks on screen. been created for all those men and women who Want a Larger Artwork or Your Artwork on have served at sea in the Royal Navy. In it you will Canvas? Currently we only supply artworks in A3 find over 2000 short run limited edition artworks of size. However, if you are looking for an artwork in a Royal Navy ships past and present, plus many larger size or printed on Canvas, we can supply your foreign naval and civilian ships, all created by ex- artwork as a digital file on an USB memory stick. You RN Cook and digital artist Nick Barwis. We also can then take this file to your local printer to create have well over 500 framed ships crests, FAA exactly the artwork you require. Please contact us Squadron Crests, RFA, Army Regimental and RAF before ordering if you wish to pursue this option. Squadron crests Frames Although the overall size is a 'standard on site. The ready-made' frame size you can also purchase a Navy has two frame for your artwork here. Just go to the frames things over the section of the store and add it to your order. All other two frames are high quality and are made of solid wood services - Its men (not composite materials unless stated in the item (obviously!) and description) and are glazed with polycarbonate glass. its ships and Outstanding value - Frame prices start from £18.99. submarines. Editor: I had a frame with my birthday present but They're where Wilco’s have a good selection.

we worked, th laughed, slept I actually drafted this article after my 70 Birthday in and played. As June when to my total surprise one of my presents we get older our was a picture of HMS Narwhal the ‘Arctic Predator’ memories fade a from my daughter and her husband. Those that know little and those we do retain, become rosier the me well, may be amused at her comment at the time thicker the glass in our spectacles becomes! relating to ‘It’s not often you are speechless Dad’, and Hopefully this site will offer Jack the chance to I confess it was also a bit emotional. I enquired what rekindle those happy memories when we were had inspired her to pick this picture and how she Dad, young, daring and pretty carefree. We drunk way found where to get one, and the response was ‘ too much, and spent far too much time in front of it’s been on our family computer for many years, and the Jimmy, but we laughed like drains at the I know it’s you on the top as she was leaving Faslane’. incredible humour on the mess deck and primarily The photo was an official Navy News Calendar one and above all (and against popular belief that we taken in the early 1970’s when we were doing work were there to protect the nation) we were there to up at Faslane between patrols up North. It is get the girl! It's pretty ironic that most of us are now especially remembered as I even had a brand-new more anchor faced than we ever were when we white woolly pully issued for the photo, and I was the served in the Andrew. I hope you like the art. Nick signalman on the boat, and somehow the names Barwis CK, RN - D166158P came flooding back, with RS John Terry, LRO Jan Rich, and RO’s The Jack's Taxi Store: There are now over 2,000 Roger Clements ships of the RN in the Jack's Taxi fleet! You can who went SD use the search tool to find your ship plus the store and still attends is divided into 10 alphabetical sections, so finding the DBR, Heppy your ship will be easy. Where's My Ship? If you Hepworth and can't find your ship then please get in touch via the unsure if Roger contact us page and I will endeavour to create one Killen (also for you within 7 days of your request. There is attends DBR) absolutely no obligation to purchase a requested was with us as artwork, so please feel free to ask. Similarly. if you one of the new served on board after a major refit and your ship ROSM’s of the substantially changed its appearance, again, time? I also please ask. All artworks are individually printed to unrelated order on cotton canvas paper and are limited to a received a print run of just 25. All are signed and numbered by ‘Narwhal’ the artist. Each Artwork measures 16’ x 20’ (40cm related Birthday x 50cm) when mounted on its art quality matting. Card shown! Priced at £24.99. 19 Navy Christens New Virginia Class FAR EAST S/M NEWS Submarine USS Hyman G. Rickover Rick Spilman 01 Aug, 2021 Indian MoD issues RFP for Six Diesel-Electric The US Navy christened one of its newest Virginia- Submarines for Indian Navy class attack submarines, the USS Hyman G. Jane’s & RCN News 21 July 2021 Rickover (SSN 795), during a ceremony on 31 July The Indian MoD issued a request for proposals from at General Dynamics/Electric Boat, in Groton, India’s state-owned Mazagon Shipbuilders and the Connecticut. From the Navy press release: The private-sector Larsen & Toubro on 20 July to begin future USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 795) is the the process to procure up to six diesel-electric second nuclear-powered fast attack submarine in submarines (SSK) for the Indian Navy (Project 75I), recognition of Adm. Rickover. The first Hyman G. in a contract worth up to USD $5.77b. Mazagon Rickover (SSN 709) was commissioned at and Larsen & Toubro have been directed to open Submarine Base, New London, in Groton, on July talks with France’s Naval Group, Germany’s 21, 1984. SSN 709 and its crew deployed 12 times ThyssenKrupp, Spain’s Navantia, Russia’s Rubin until its decommissioning in December 2007. Over Design, and South Korea’s Daewoo Shipbuilding to the years, its decorations included the Atlantic Fleet create a preliminary procurement plan, including Golden Anchor Award, Submarine Squadron Eight’s overall price, technical specifications, and delivery anti-submarine warfare white ‘A’ and engineering timelines, with the two Indian yards to submit their red ‘E’ awards and the prestigious Sixth Fleet ‘Hook initial bids in 12 weeks. The next-generation SSKs ‘Em’ award for anti-submarine warfare excellence. are expected to have air-independent propulsion, Rickover, known as the ‘Father of the Nuclear Navy,’ land-attack capability (such as India’s BrahMos served in the Navy for 63 years on active duty. His cruise missile), and the latest torpedo and sensor views touched matters of design, propulsion, packages, with a deal predicted to be signed in education, personnel and professional standards. 2023. The Indian Navy is already in the process of His team of engineers designed and constructed the procuring six Scorpène-variant SSKs (Project 75) to first nuclear-powered submarine, USS Nautilus replace the current fleet of 13 1980s-era boats from (SSN 571). This accomplishment led to the world’s Russia and Germany, and the two projects together preeminent fleet of nuclear-powered submarines will be a fulsome recapitalization of the Navy’s and aircraft carriers. subsurface capabilities amid the Chinese navy’s

Virginia-class submarines are built to operate in the growing deployments in the Indian Ocean region. world’s littoral and deep waters while conducting anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface ship warfare; Taiwan’s First Indigenous Submarine to be strike warfare; special operations forces support; Launched Ahead of Schedule intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; RCN News& Naval News, 25 July 2021 irregular warfare; and mine warfare missions. Their Taiwanese officials say that the launch of the inherent stealth, endurance, mobility, and firepower country’s first Indigenous Defence Submarine (IDS) directly enable them to support five of the six has been moved forward as a result of efforts to maritime strategy core capabilities – sea control, accelerate the submarine building project. power projection, forward presence, maritime Previously slated for launching in 2024, the first security and deterrence. They are replacing Los boat is now expected to launch in Sept 2023. Angeles-class submarines as they retire. The first Unnamed officials said that the accelerated USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN-709) was a Los program was necessary as a result of increasingly Angeles-class submarine, and the only submarine tense relations between Taipei and Beijing, and it is of its class not to be named after a United States expected that the delivery date for the submarine, city or town. This submarine will be the second of which was scheduled for 2025, has also been its class not to be named after a U.S. state; the first moved forward. The project has progressed rapidly was the USS John Warner (SSN-785). since the US Govt approved the transfer of combat management system, sonar, and periscopes, and RCN Kicks off Long-Anticipated Push to torpedoes to Taipei, and it is expected that Taiwan Replace Canada’s Beleaguered Submarines will request that the US also expedite the delivery of National Newswatch, 14 July 2021 Mk48 torpedoes which were purchased for the The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) reported this week submarines in 2020. Though the ROCN will benefit that it has formed an options-analysis project to study from the introduction of a new and modern the possibility of replacing the Navy’s current fleet of submarine to augment its current fleet of two ex- four Victoria-class submarines, which are around USN Guppy-class boats from the 1940’s and two three decades old but are expected to continue Dutch-built vessels from the 1980’s, the People’s service into the 2030’s due to a life-extension Liberation Army maintains a significant advantage upgrade. The announcement follows up on the 2017 over the ROCN in both surface and subsurface Strong, Secure, engaged defence policy, which platforms and it will be some time before Taiwan’s describes four submarines as part of the ‘necessary domestic construction efforts might impact this [RCN] fleet mix and capacity’, along with 15 surface balance. combatants and two replenishment vessels. 20 DBR WEEKEND by Tony Greaves 6-8 Aug 21 moment. Then I thought we usually manage; how Hello everyone just a quick dit on the diesel boat wrong I was, more of that later! After the short taxi reunion, it will be a bit shorter than normal for various ride, I arrived not knowing how many would be there reasons; I was Billy no mates most off the weekend, due to the way off the world. However, I asked the so did not have to do my usual things like escorting question and apparently about 160 were expected, the Vice Admiral [Terry] or noting what that well which judging by the amount off people in the room I renowned ex communicator was up to! Well, I set think that was about right, I of course saw the usual off as normal, but had to make a slight detour to pick regulars who I served with, and meet up with a ex my mother up, who I had been volunteered by sailor who went to school with me and served on the herself to give her a lift to her same boat as me. I had not seen him since about sisters in Chipping Sodbury. 1991, so we had a good chat & ironic but he only According to my mother, ‘It is lives about 2 miles from where I live now. There was not far out of your way, the minutes silence for according to her map!’ About those who have an hour detour later to be crossed the bar and precise, and of course it does the names from not help when mother says Derbyshire were read an hour from her house can out, now this could only you stop, I need the toilet. I think it was pay back happen when from all the family holidays when dad had to stop Submariners were suddenly when one off us in the back needed a wee. standing impeccably Silent. Of course, the inevitable Thus, the reason I did not get to Plymouth till about mobile phone went off, but, not only a tune, it played 1600hrs, but it did not really matter as I was not the theme tune to Captain Pug Wash, there was not having to report in at the Weatherspoon’s! many who could keep a straight face, as if one of

So, after a bath and a dhoeby I went for a couple of those dearly departed wanted to join in. There was pints to see who was about, and of course a bit to the usual rum raffle with the proceeds going to We eat, but alas there was nobody in the usual hang Remember Submariners charity. I can also outs, so I went for a stretch of my legs on the Hoe, confirm that the buffet was of its normal high to which I noticed there seemed to be more activity standard, and the mini Oggies were up to the usual than normal. Being the bright ex Baby Chef that I standard, but I had two to make sure. (Just like Terry normally does!) am, I observed some pretty flags flying, then realised it was gay pride weekend on the Hoe. After more chatting it was time to depart, this is Lovely I thought, just don’t bend down and you will where I hit a snag of trying to get a taxi, all the ones be alright Jack. I made my way back to my berth I tried could not do anything for about 3hrs. So, I taking note who was in (Jim Hunt’s favourite haunt) thought on my feet for a plan B when someone who in the Plymouth [ex- works at the club said there is a bus stop down Conservative Club, no nearby, and you can get a bus into Plymouth. So, submariners in there off I trotted leading some more behind me who I either, so off to bed heard someone say follow that big bloke he knows with a good book. I where he’s going. If they only knew! Well, I found must point out if a bus stop, good start I thought and guess what anybody is thinking of along came a bus. ‘Do you go into Plymouth?’ I going away this year cried. ‘Yes, came the reply, but I go via Devonport. things had changed at No problem I thought, so I got on, followed by the B/B I stay in, as they were doing slots for everybody else. On the plus side of this was that I breakfast, and on a short weekend they were not got a tour off Devonport and HMS Drake thrown in going into rooms to clean and make beds. all for £2.10 bus fare, but on disembarking the bus

Saturday I chose to have my breakfast brought to I had to step it out to my berth as it took longer than me in my room as it made it easier for them, and I a taxi, and I was very full of beer, so needed the was told though to make sure I had clothes on when heads rather sharpish! I later found out that the I answered the door! Anyway, breakfast arrived and council had cut back on the number of licences they was of the normal high standard and got the little were issuing to taxis, and most of the drivers were smile off the Thai lady who works there. After in past years from the EU, so Brexit might have had something to do with it have well. breakfast I took myself for a walk as my paper boy this year was not attending [Terry] so I had to get I Went out again Saturday night and paid my my own paper. On return to my berth, I booked a respects at the Dolphin in the Barbican as we taxi to the reunion another bit off admin normally normally do for a couple off pints to be sociable, sorted out by you know who! The landlady said she before heading back via the Conservative Club. I would sort me out with one and asked how I was did not go in as there looked like there were only getting back so she gave me the taxi number, but I locals in there, and yes, the same singer was in full stated I would struggle to get one on the spur off the belt no doubt doing the same songs has every year 21 Sunday duly arrived and after a hearty breakfast ALL WORLD S/M NEWS and attending to my ablutions I went for a walk, now at this stage normally someone would have planned Spanish Isaac Peral S-80 Class Submarine a route march, but I thought I would just go for walk Takes Next Step 31 July 2021 which I did for about 4 hours. I went to the Royal According to a tweet published by the Spanish MoD, William Yard where we normally call for the food 2021, Isaac Peral S-80 class submarine takes the market to get my mother some home-made fudge next step with the off the stall there, not to mention some cheese off installation of the attack the farmer’s market. I did go up onto the Hoe for a periscope and spot off lunch, and it was safe because by this time successfully completed the activities from the march the previous day had verification of water all but gone, but just to be safe I sat down and tightness. In the last watched the world go by. quarter of the year, the Spanish Navy expects to start up the diesel engines of the submarine. The S- Monday came and it was time to slip my berth, and 80 Plus class (or Isaac Peral class) is a Spanish reflect on the weekend. Even though it had been a class of four submarines in production by the lot quieter than normal, and did not meet up with the Spanish company Navantia in its Cartagena usual gang, it was nice to see some old shipmates shipyard for the Spanish Navy. and on the whole, I am glad I went, as I think we are going to have to get used to this being the new Naval Group Awarded Contract to Support normal unless we all want to stay indoors and not French Navy’s Submarines go out unless it is necessary. Some, would even Martin Manaranche Naval News 26 July 2021 say going to the DBR is necessary! Well, I hope Naval Group and the Fleet Support Service have next year there are more attending, & things are signed a contract for the operational maintenance back to normal. One little footnote when I left my of the French Navy’s nuclear attack submarines berth for the last time to head home via Chipping (SSN) which will be in force for over 3-years and is Sodbury, because yes, I had to pick mother up on worth several hundred million euros This the way home, I did notice a man form Plymouth agreement includes the maintenance operations of Council leaning on a broom & with a shouldered Rubisand Suffren-class SSN’s and all the related arms shovel standing outside the Kynance Hotel. services: engineering, maintenance of tools and ‘What are you up to mate’ I said & he replied he spares, management of the stock of spares, training could not believe it. He had been sent by the platforms and maintenance of nuclear installations council for a special sweeping up job has after every necessary for the operational maintenance (MCO) of submarines. DBR weekend at the beginning of August every year. This was because there is normally a big pile Sail-Powered Drone Pitched off cigarette butts on the floor there, mostly left by as High-endurance Submarine Hunter some ex-communicator. Don’t worry I said, he did Dan Parsons Subsim News 6 Aug 2021 not come this year. I can see that he replied, and The Navy could use one of the world’s oldest with a wave and a smile he was off. So, you all take technologies to defeat one of the newest by care, stay safe and I hope to see you all soon! TG launching autonomous sailing drones to find and

For Those that Do Not Know! Yer Tis! The Diesel track enemy submarines. Saildrone is marketing Boat Reunion (DTS) was originally for those that its unmanned/uncrewed, surface vessels, outfitted served on RN Diesel powered submarines. Unlike with a composite rigid wing many other reunions, this reunion is very informal. It sail, as a persistent takes the form of a DTS (dinner time session) held reconnaissance platform on the First Sat in August every year. The rig is capable of carrying casual, the company is friendly and you are bound to sophisticated sonar meet some old oppo's from the boats you served on. equipment. The drones, The beer is very reasonably priced, what could be which power their keel-mounted payloads with solar better. These reunions were started by Ken 'Slinger' energy, can stay at sea for extended periods to Woods after a memorable leaving run for Paul perform an array of missions. We use the wind to 'Topsy' Turner who was off to Canada to join the sail these around, primarily collecting ocean data, Canadian Submarine Service. Apparently 'Topsy' atmospheric and oceanographic observations, but said ‘Wouldn't it be great if we could all meet up again we can also put a payload in the keel and do things once a year at the same time and place?’ The rest From a defence perspective, we’re using these to is history. Organisation has changed, but they are look for seamounts that might be a hazard to still held at the 'Weston Mill Oak Villa Social Club' submarine navigation, & it’s a very low-cost way to near the Camels Head fire station not far from the go out in an area where someone thought they Dockyard and Drake Barracks. Why not give it a try might have seen something; we can go out and say next year in fact why not make a weekend of it in whether it’s there and to stay away or it’s deep Guzz with the reunion as the highlight? You'll be glad enough that a submarine can pass through safely. you did as you see by Tony Greaves article! 22 The Rebellious Reason British Submarines from the top of the conning tower soon became Fly the Jolly Roger After Missions numerous, so that practice was swapped, with a Forces Net 06 Aug, 2021 submarine flying one single large Jolly Roger flag, The sight of a Jolly Roger flag once struck fear into with symbols indicating each of the submarine’s the hearts of sailors at sea as it often meant a successes sewn on to the flag. The current First bloodthirsty band of pirates were about to launch a Sea Lord, Adm Sir deadly attack; but there is a fascinating, if not Tony Radakin, somewhat rebellious, reason why today’s RN paid homage to submarines fly the iconic skull and crossbones as the legacy of Adm part of a tradition that dates back to WWI. Britain’s Sir Max Horton in Submarine fleet might now a post on Twitter be seen as an unrivalled earlier this month, Silent Service that gives the marking ‘70 years RN strength beneath the since the passing waves but that was not of Adm Sir Max always the case. In its early Horton’ and adding: ‘As Captain of HM Submarine days, the service was not E9 he instigated the tradition of submarines flying so well regarded in all the Jolly Roger on successful return from patrol.’ quarters of the navy, with some suggesting that The First Sea Lord also posted an image of HMS underwater warfare was, well, just not cricket. When Utmost flying a Jolly Roger in 1942, showing how the RN launched its first submarine in 1901, the then the tradition has been carried on through the First Sea Lord, Admiral Arthur Wilson, reportedly Second World War into modern times. stated that submariners were ‘Nothing more than Tradesmen’. He added that submarines were Symbols included bars, to shows how many hits on ‘underhand, unfair, and damned un-English,’ with ships had been notched up, with each bar some suggestions that submarine crews should be representing ships torpedoed. However, post-war hanged as pirates. The service had only been in flags sometimes depict the silhouette of a ship operation for just over a decade when the First World instead. Symbols of mines indicated minelaying War broke out in 1914 and had yet to prove itself in operations, while other operations, such as when a battle. That changed with the onset of WWI. submarine was used as a navigation marker, were depicted by torches or lighthouses. Commanders Submariner Lt Cdr, later to become Admiral, Sir Max of submarine flotillas followed in the footsteps of Sir Horton, had at the time been in command of one of Max and even began issuing Jolly Roger flags to the first of Britain’s ocean-going submarines, HMS submariners, with procedures issued for how they E9, which notched up a series of successful should be used and displayed. Reports suggest not operations as the war developed, including all submarines joined in the practice, with some torpedoing the German SMS Hela off the coast of the fearing that flying the flag was too boastful, or that North Sea archipelago Heligoland, and the sinking of successes could not always easily be confirmed. the German destroyer S116, for which he was However, some Allied submariners and awarded the DSO. Britain’s Submarine Service Commonwealth nations did follow suit during the began earning a reputation as an effective fighting WWII, flying the Jolly Roger on return from force that was making a significant strategic missions. The practice later turned into tradition – difference to the course of the war. Another British with other submarine commanders paying homage submarine attack on the Prinz Adalbert in Oct 1915 to the original practice by Adm Sir Max Horton and inflicted what was perhaps one of the greatest single this has continued throughout the 20th and into the losses for the German Navy in the Baltic, helping to 21st.Century seal the reputation of Britain’s submarines as a vital part of the RN’s fleet. During the Falklands War, for instance, the crew of

Following a series of victorious operations, the then HMS Conqueror is reported to have raised the Jolly Lt Cdr Max Horton, Roger, complete with the silhouette of a cruiser, remembering the comments following a about submarine crews being successful attack on thought of as ‘pirates’ offered a the Argentine cruiser retort to the initial sentiment by ARA General flying a Jolly Roger from his Belgrano. There is submarine on return from a no official Royal successful patrol. He carried on Navy policy in place this practice, adding another flag to govern the flying on the submarine each time he of Jolly Roger flags, returned from a successful but submarine commanders have been known to operation. However, the submarines started to win follow the tradition, with some submarines spotted victory after victory, so the collection of flags flown flying the flag on their return to port at Faslane. 23 The bottom line is at the present time I am unable to organise any form of Trafalgar Dinner satisfactorily to meet our criteria that this prime social event must be open fairly to all DS Members. We might be

drawing out of the dreaded Derbyshire Submariners News Update Covid Era but as the National and Local news Obituary columns show, the bug is still with us. I feel the last 18 months has been a case of optimistic ‘Leap Frogging’

I have endeavoured since the beginning of last when one after another ‘plan’ has had to be shelved year to ensure all DS Members are kept up to date and moving onto the next possible even we can hold as normally as possible and open to all. and involved in all activities (or advised of) and happenings due to Covid. I am obviously not Based on this assumption I cannot anticipate a aware of all members circumstances, as I do not Trafalgar Dinner happening again this year! As wish to intrude, but we can only make decisions I have already stated, no problem with a small on the feedback the committee receive from group/s meeting for a meal though! members. The present position as I write early DS Meetings & Socials. Column one on this page August is legal restrictions have now all been is an up-to-date Sitrep on the Feedback I have rescinded and the Government wish a return to received coupled with the opposite positive view on normal life using CDF for your own safety. The page 21 that a social can be a success. However, overall picture I have of DS Members opinion’s is despite my own, and other DS Members feedback only a small number are encompassing the and the difficulties that both Lunch Club and freedom of pubs, restaurants and holidays. Most, Meetings as well as our Prime Annual Social the are due to health, too many birthdays, or ‘Her, who Trafalgar Dinner bring because of my current health must be obeyed, are continuing with very limited problems I am willing to assist anyone with the socialising with family or friends in small numbers, administration if they can organise even something and sadly this includes me by remaining in small for DS Members. The trouble is this NL is for lockdown until seen by doctors or hospital or due September in two weeks’ time, thence we will be to keeping wife or family out of danger of Covid. into October, thus with no volunteers or even suggestions from members we will need a bit longer Admiral Lord and be patient until the majority of members feel Nelson confident to exercise their Freedom from Covid in Practiced mindful all guises. Bear in mind in our DS techniques daily to Constitution, ALL Full DS Members reduce his stress are Committee; So, I bounce the levels. He found an ball above around for you the hour of ‘Naval gazing’ Committee to advise? Please worked wonders. advise me of your thoughts and suggestions on the way forward to be expressed in Trafalgar Dinner. My personal situation is I am an all DS Members communications or via our still awaiting to actually see a hospital consultant October Newsletter (Due for release 20 Oct 2021). and have been on heart medication since June This is of course based on the week before the last (last year) and advised not to take any chances Weds which is normally our monthly Lunch Club as I am still under the hospital due to a shadow and prior to public release of the newsletter. on my lung, thus I do not feel confident to go out In the meantime, I hope this newsletter finds all Well and socialise which makes it difficult to organise and if not managing ok. Submissions for print always anything. I have put forward the suggestion and welcome as well as Feedback. Thinking positive question in our NL’s that would one of our again, I hope we can have a proper Christmas members who is confident or able to visit a venue Lunch again this year, I having missed last year & I and organise for a small submariner’s group to sadly due to hospital 2019 have missed two!) have a Trafalgar Meal on a Friday/Saturday in NEWSLETTERS ONLINE Oct? However, I know that at least six would Current & One year Back Issues on Derbyshire require accommodation near to the venue, and I Submariners Link Web Page Below would be willing to undertake all the www.godfreydykes.info/derbyshire_submariners_page.html administration and organisation to the same high Views & comments of this newsletter do not always standard our GP Doctors have used over the last reflect the official policy, or the decisions of the 18 months, namely on the telephone only!! Derbyshire Submariners 24