DS T H E T R A D E 252 JOURNAL 499

Derbyshire Submariners Newsletter Issue Number 252 October 2020

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

Page/s Subject EDITORIAL

01 CONTENT & EDITORIAL LME Robert (Bob) Cliff PK970401 Aged 80

02 WELFARE Served 1959-1967 on Alderney, Odin, Otus, Thermopyloe, Trespasser, as well as Surface 03/04 POLITICALLY INCORRECT PAGES Ships HMS Kenya & Tyne. Bob died on 29 Aug 05 JEFF BACON © TWO TIFFS 2020 in Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham. He

06 WE ARE VETERANS was a former DS & SA Member. Full obituary is on page 21 Col 1. Remembrance Matters. 07 GENERAL UK RN NEWS Funeral Fri 2 Oct Markeaton Crem Advise Sec if going. 08 SENT TO ME BY AN OLD SALT Sadly, no Trafalgar Dinner to look forward to this 09-10 NARWHAL THE STEALTH S/M year but as a reminder of the past Pge 23 I have 11 A FLIGHT OF FIGURE-HEADS reproduced the report in Derbyshire Life of our 2011 Traf, our first as an independent Derbyshire 12 BRITAINS ASTUTE SUBMARINES Submariners group! I doubt now, anyone will 13 SOCA NEWS 1990’S remember Black Hats; however, it was submariners 14 AUSSIE NEW SUBMAINE PROBLEMS who first started wearing berets then went back to white hats when they were issued, now read the last 15 NEWSLETTER FEEDBACK article on Pge 20! This page contains a ‘lot’ of 16 WORLD SUBMARINE NEWS SA news for those DS Members with dual 17 ACOUSTIC TILES ON SUBMARINES membership. Remembrance

18 HELLO SAILOR & WORLD NEWS The DS Committee

19 HOME NEWS discussed the current news and the decisions 20 SA NEWS, CHAPLAIN & VACANCIES are sadly reflected in 21 SOCA DERBY ROYAL STANDARD many cancellations

22 INTERESTING BITS & BOBS including our Annual Remembrance and 23 TRAFALGAR DINNER REMEMBERED Xmas Meal as well as 24 DS 2020 DIARY & LONGCAST cancelled meetings and

socials until the New Year due to so many

members being ‘At Risk’ and of course the restrictions affecting all at present. See Diary on Page 24. The Round Robin Proposal to donate

£150 to the Save Courageous as a Cold War Memorial attained over 50% of DS Members and DS BIRTHDAYS 2020 will be actioned after the closing date of 30 Sept. This decision has been unanimous to date? 17 Oct John Sayers This newsletter now about ready for release thus time for my daily PT. Not that physical stuff, but my A POSITIVE THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH daily Personal Tottering around garden/garage

Let me get this Straight; Terry Hall There is no Cure for a Virus that Can The Trade Journal Newsletter Editor be Killed by Sanitiser, and Hand Soap? Hon. Sec/Treasurer, Derbyshire Submariners’ [email protected] 1 WELFARE MATTERS underway and, with the RNRMC and WRS, supported a request for funds from the Submarine Derbyshire Alert (DA). We are aware of a new Memorial Appeal. The RNRMC SMF has funds, scam circulating where criminals are contacting some specifically for the mental health and victims claiming to be from Action Fraud. If you wellbeing of the Submarine Community; we are receive a call from someone claiming to be from keen to support any and all requests. When a Action Fraud or an automated message asking if request is received it is discussed and shared you wish to speak with an adviser, hang up between Board members to ensure all Submarine immediately. Phone numbers are easily spoofed Family members (e.g. SA, WRS, Friends etc) by criminals too, so don’t assume it’s genuine if understand the request and decided how both the asked to check the number. Always verify using SMF and individual Family members can support to known contact details for any unexpected optimise contributions, efficiency and effect. communication (phone, text, email, in person) and It is of particular note that the CEO of the RMRMC, double check with a loved one. You can contact Adrian Bell has said that ‘Submariners are Action Fraud directly by calling 0300 123 2040 to demonstrating how communities can and are confirm whether the call was genuine. Action Fraud helping themselves; the SMF model may influence will never call and ask for your bank account details how other specialisations and the RNRMC will or to verify your PIN number. If you have handed evolve in developing closer ways of working.’ With over these details, call your bank immediately. If the ongoing support of the RNRMC, a workshop you think you’ve been a victim of cyber-crime or was recently held with the members from the fraud, please report it to us online at Submarine Community to simplify the grants actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. application process. While requests and donations You can report any suspicious emails to our new can currently be made direct via the RNRMC service [email protected] Jodie Nevin website, citing Submarine Request/Donation, the (Police Cyber Protect Officer, Derbyshire) RNRMC is working to provide an option to CV Cases Ilkeston. A Derbyshire Police Alert was specifically enable selection of SMF Requests or given out mid Aug advising three particular pubs on Donations, the intent is for this revised site to go live Ilkeston Market place had a very concerning cluster by the end of October. outbreak of CV. Due to the nature of the message it was relayed out to Members and local contacts Immediately. The outbreak was also on National News, Teletext and local papers so all bona fide verified sources. However, three days later at our local shop we learnt the outbreak was two weeks prior on 31 July a bit of ‘Horse, Stable Door and Bolted’ situation if as we are led to believe 14 days The broad Submarine Community is, perhaps for is the incubation period of CV? I just reacted to the the first time, more aware and coordinated than ever news and took action. Update: 14/9 Next to the before, the challenge now is to ensure our Pubs Lloyds Bank Ilk now closed 2 weeks for Deep communications are effective, that good news is Cleaning after two staff tested positive for CV shared, requests for grants are supported and that donations are made to the SMF. Current of families and crews are recognised, with commitments at sea unprecedented, it is why the SMF has opened links with Clyde Naval Family Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity Services such that we can help our own people. Submarine Fund (RNRMC SMF) Please think about donating to the SMF, it is there The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity to help our community.

(RNRMC) joined with the Royal Navy In separate news and working with the RNRMC, a Submarine Service and existing Submarine Service small volunteer project team has been established Family Member organisations to establish the to work with Plymouth City Council, the National RNRMC Submarine Fund (SMF) on 20 April, drawing Maritime Museum, MoD and the HMS Courageous on expertise from across the Submarine Community. Management Group to develop a concept study for With wide SMF Board representation from across the introduction of a Cold War Maritime Museum in the submarine family, Submariners Assn, We Plymouth, focused around the preservation of HMS Remember Submariners (WRS), the Perisher Club, Courageous and development of an iconic Cold Friends of the Submariner Museum and Team War Maritime Heritage site. A newsletter and Oardacious. The fund will deliver help and support Crowd Funding page will be released in early to serving and veteran members of the Submarine September to inform and ask for help to complete Community and includes dependent family the initial study. Many thanks your interest, support members. The Board has held 3 virtual Board and help to the Submarine Community; please meeting by Zoom since lockdown in March, has a share this information and donate to help our own. number of workstreams and requests for support J S Weale 2 UNPOLITICALLY CORRECT PAGES went into the pub where he immediately ordered two

Well Sir, It was Like This! This is a Bricklayers pints of Best Bitter and two Pussers Rums. The Tiff Accident Report, which was sent to the Australian said ‘Now you've lost it. Do you realise how much equivalent of the Workers Compensation Board is a trouble we will be in? We haven't got any money!’ true story and probably unbelievable to some. The Stoker replied, with a smile. ‘Don't worry, I have Dear Sir, I am writing in response to your request for a plan, Cheers!’ They downed their Drinks. The additional information in Section 3 of the Accident Stoker said, ‘OK, I'll stick the sausage through my Report Form, where I put ‘Poor Planning’ as the zipper and you go on your knees and put it in your cause of my accident. You asked mouth.’ The barman noticed them, went berserk, for a fuller explanation and I trust and threw them out. They continued this, pub after that the following details will be pub, getting more and more drunk, all for free. At sufficient. I am a bricklayer by the tenth pub the Tiff said ‘Stokes, I don't think I can trade, and on the day of the do any more of this. I'm drunk, and my knees are accident, I was working alone on killing me!’ The Stoker said, ‘How do you think I the roof of a new six-storey building. feel? I can't even remember which pub I lost the When I completed my work, I found sausage in!’ Editor: A very slightly modified joke appropriately from a Submariner Down Under!! that I had some bricks left over, which when weighed later were found to be slightly in excess of 500 lbs. Rather than carry the bricks down by hand, I decided to lower them in a barrel by using a pulley, which was attached to the side of the building on the sixth floor.

Securing the rope at ground level, I went up onto the roof, swung the barrel out and loaded the bricks into it. Then I went down and untied the rope, holding it tightly to ensure a slow descent of the bricks. You will note in Section II of the Accident Report Form that I weigh 135 lbs. Due to my surprise at being jerked off the ground so suddenly, I lost my presence of mind Fact of Life. Felicia Jane Beatrix ‘Flick’ Drummond and forgot to let go of the rope. is a British Conservative Party politician. She has Needless to say, I proceeded at a been the Member of Parliament for Meon Valley rapid rate up the side of the building. since 2019, having previously represented In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the barrel, which Portsmouth South from 2015 to 2017. A Tory was now proceeding downward at an equally source once said she had a problem because, impressive speed. This explains the fractured skull, ‘When you put ‘Flick’ on an election poster, from a minor abrasions and the broken collarbone, as listed distance it reads like something unfortunate’. in Section 3 of the Accident Report Form. Maybe, no one thought to use her real name of

Slowed only slightly, I continued my rapid ascent, not Felicity, rather than her nickname. stopping until the fingers of my right hand were two knuckles deep into the pulley. Fortunately, by this BEFORE MARRIAGE time I had regained my presence of mind and was John – Ah! At last, I can hardly wait! able to hold tightly to the rope, in spite of beginning Jane - Do you want me to leave? to experience pain. At approximately the same time John – No! Don’t even think about it. however, the barrel of bricks hit the ground and the Jane – Do you love me? bottom fell out of the barrel. Now devoid of the John – Of course! Always have & always will! of the bricks, the barrel weighed approximately 50 Jane – Have you ever cheated on me? lbs. I refer you again to my weight in Section II. As John – No! Why are you even asking? you can imagine, I began a rapid descent down the Jane – Will you kiss me? side of the building. In the vicinity of the third floor, I John – Every chance I get! met the barrel coming up. This accounts for the two Jane – Will you hit me? fractured ankles, broken tooth and several John – Hell no! Are you crazy?! lacerations to my legs and lower body. Jane – Can I trust you? John - Yes The Stoker & Baby Tiff fancied a pint or two on a Jane – Darling! blank week but didn't have a lot of money between AFTER MARRIAGE them, they could only raise the staggering sum of Read from the Bottom Back to the Top! one quid. The Stoker said, ‘Hang on, I have an idea.’ He went into a butcher's shop and came out Andy Capp once said when a Bloke’s with one large sausage. The Tiff said ‘Are you batty the Breadwinner his wife’s a Dependant. or what? Now we don't have any money at all!’ The But, when a Woman’s the Breadwinner Stoker replied, ‘Don't worry - just follow me.’ He her husband’s a Layabout! 3 Down Under August Newsletter A Little Old Lady was sitting on a park bench on Our newsletter is sent a lot of the contents of the Southsea Common in Portsmouth near her care Unpolitically Correct Pages content. This section home. A man walked over and sat down on the was printed from the SA Australia Branch August other end of the bench. After a few moments, the Newsletter also the Thought for the Month on the woman asks, ‘Are you a stranger here?’ He replies, front page was from the same source. ‘I lived here years ago when I served in the Navy.

Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has finally ‘So, where were you all these years?’ ‘In prison,’ he affected me financially. In order to offset the extra says. ‘Why did they put you in prison?’ she asked? cost for food, rent, electricity, etc. I have a need to He looked at her, and very quietly said, ‘I killed my make some extra money on the side...it is what it is. wife. ‘Oh!’ said the woman. ‘So, you're single?’

So, I am now proud to announce that I am selling A Man was telling his Oppo in the Pub (This is Adult Toys. I hope no one not a memory test to see if you remember what a will feel embarrassed to ask Pub was?) ‘I just bought a new hearing aid. It for them. I have all kinds, £1,250, but its state of the art and I bought down the sizes, and styles according to old Wanchai in Hong Kong, and it's perfect. your needs. Discretion is ‘Really?’ answered his Oppo. ‘What kind is it? guaranteed!! Ask for yours anytime. I have ‘Dunno, but its Twelve Thirty’ everything listed below: Zimmer framed. Wheelchairs, tanks, Walking sticks, Three Old Wrens were sitting side by side at the bi- Nappies, Teeth glue, Heating pads and more! Annual Dauntless Reunion on Hayling Island.

Wife: ‘Shall I prepare Curry or Soup today?’ reminiscing. The first ex Wren recalled from years Husband: ‘First make it, we will name it later.’ past when she had an allotment and demonstrated with her hands, the length and thickness of a A Frustrated Husband in front of his laptop: cucumbers she Dear Google, please do not behave like my wife... had grown. The Please allow me to complete my sentence before second old Wren you start guessing & suggesting. nodded, adding A Married Man's Prayer: ‘Dear God, You gave me that the onions Childhood, You took it away. You gave me youth, she used to grow You took it away. You gave me a wife, its been were so much many years now, just reminding You’. bigger than the

A Man Brings his Best Mate Home for dinner ones you see on unannounced at 5:30 after work. His wife begins sale today, and demonstrated the size of two big screaming at him and his friend just sits and listens onions she had grown. The third ex Wren in. ‘My hair & makeup are not done, the house is a remarked, ‘I can't hear a word you're saying, but I mess, the dishes are not done, I'm still in my pyjamas remember the Submariner LRO in Dolphin Comcen and I can't be bothered with cooking tonight! Why the you're talking about.’ hell did you bring him home for?’ Husband answers A 82 year-old ex-Submariner in Guz went to the ‘Because he's thinking of getting married’ doctor at the local Medical Clinic to get a physical. Employee: ‘Sir You are like a Lion in the office! A few days later, the doctor saw him walking down What about at home?’ Boss : ‘I am a lion at home Union Street with a gorgeous young woman on his too, But there we have a lion tamer!’ arm. A couple of days later the doctor spoke to the

A Couple were Having Dinner at a fancy ex Submariner and said, ‘You're really doing great, restaurant. As the food was served, the husband aren't you? ‘Just doing what you said, Doc when said, ‘the food looks delicious, let's eat.’ Wife: you said: ‘Get a hot mamma and be cheerful,’ the ‘Darling, you say a prayer before eating at home’. submariner replied. To which the doctor said, ‘I Husband: ‘That's at home sweetheart, here the didn't say, ‘I said, ‘You've got a heart murmur, be chef knows how to cook.’ careful!’

An Old Matelot shuffled slowly into the local Wetherspoons and foolishly pulled himself slowly, and painfully, up onto one of the high bar stools. After catching his breath, he ordered two pints of the real ale and pointed to his choice over the bar. The Barmaid

looked in the Best Slogan on a Man's T-Shirt: direction and asked kindly, if he would like ‘Nobby ‘Please Do Not Disturb me, Nuts?’ ‘No,’ he replied, I already have I am Married, and already very Disturbed’ ‘haemorrhoids.’ 4 JEFF BACON © CARTOONS Black Tot Fifty 31 July 1970-2020 On this infamous day* fifty years ago, The Naval Hierarchy said a resounding NO. No more shall you draw your daily tot, It’s beer only now for you lower deck lot.

For 303 years rum was the currency of the sailor lowly paid, An eighth of a pint daily to savour or for a favour to trade.

Sippers or gulpers in the main, or grounders for saving a life, A source of comfort in times of tribulation No explanation needed from me, it appears to be no and strife. different to how any Government the world over is Admiral Vernon added water run and it was not different in the Armed Forces or and it became known as grog, in many instances in Civilian Life!! Up Spirits became a daily entry in every HM Ship’s log. THE TWO TIFFS Over the years The coxswain accidently it assumed another Admiral’s name. locked his keys in his car so he But even as Nelson’s Blood asked the Chief Tiff for help in it tasted just the same. getting into the car. He went down to the jetty to see how he Through peace and war, gale and shot, was getting on and found the A sailor knew he would receive his daily tot. Chief Tiff working feverishly to For sea battles won or the product of Royal passion unlock the driver's side door. Splice the Main Brace meant there was an extra ration! As he watched the coxswain watched from the passenger side, and instinctively tried the door The years went by handle and discovered that it was unlocked. 'Hey,' and wooden walls became steel, he announced to the Chief Tiff, 'it's open!' The reply And those in high places was, 'I know, I’ve already done that side. ‘ applied an abstemious zeal.

Alcohol and technology 1970’S LEADERSHIP COURSES they said are not well-matched, Over Lockdown since 3 Dec 2019 at home (and still So, the dastardly plan there) I have been sorting through old (ancient) to end the rum ration was hatched. paperwork and in a file on one of my RN Admiral Dry Ginger Le Fanu Leadership Courses who was First Sea Lord then, either the Killicks at Killed an old naval tradition HMS Collingwood with the stroke of his pen.

early 1970’s, or Many a salty old sailor Senior Rates course shed a tear on that fateful day, at HMS Royal Arthur Even though they got an extra near Corsham Wilts! thrupence in their pay. I came across this A4 page retained So, with full pomp and great ceremony from one of the but no cheers of hooray, pamphlets or For the final time Ships Company’s stowed their rum barrels away training guides, which obviously No more would Sailors hear the pipe tickled me then, and that thrilled them most, to be honest still Do you hear there, drew a smile, Up Spirits - Stand Fast the Holy Ghost!!!

though I confess I Cdr N J ‘Nobby’ Hall RN found the Senior * Friday 31 Jul 1970 Rates course trying, but never been much into machoism or running I had more email messages to tell me they ‘Were around like a Field Gunner lumping drums of not even born in 1970, or were certainly too young concrete, or tipping helicopters off lorries with Spars. to drink! However, Remembrance and memories However, it was an experience never forgotten. Oh! abound, and a pity many of our Oppo’s of that time And how times have changed??? are not around to Remember anymore. 5 We Are Veterans – From Sam MacFarlane We speak highly of our own branch of Service, RN Communications Assn (RNCA) NL Chairman and poke fun at the other branches. Not sure who wrote this, but it is rather good! For We know, however, my non-military friends out there, this may or may that if needed, we will be there for our not help you understand those of us who served in brothers and sisters of all services, the Armed Forces. to stand together as one in a heartbeat.

We Are Veterans. Being a veteran is something that had to be earned We left home as teenagers, and it can never be taken away. for an unknown adventure. It has no monetary value, We loved our country enough to defend it, but at the same time, it is a priceless gift. and protect it with our own lives. Many people see a veteran We said goodbye to friends, & family, and they thank them and everything we knew. for their Service; We learned the basics, and then we scattered, sadly, others don’t understand. in the wind to the far corners of the Earth. When we see each other, We found new friends and a new family. we give that little upwards head nod, We became brothers and sisters, or a slight smile, knowing that regardless of colour, race or creed. we have shared and experienced things We had good times, and plenty of bad times. that most people have not.

We didn’t get enough sleep, So, from myself to the rest We often drank too much. of the veterans out there, I commend, We picked up both good and bad habits. and thank you for all that you have done We worked hard and played harder. and sacrificed for our Country. We didn’t earn a great wage. Try to remember the good times, We experienced the happiness of getting mail, and move on if you can from the bad times. and the sadness of missing important events. Share your stories for they are worth telling. We didn’t know when, or even if, But most importantly, stand tall and proud for we were ever going to see home again. You have earned the right to be called a Veteran. We grew up fast and yet, somehow, we never grew up at all! ‘Funnies’ - From Carl Beeson RNCA Mag We fought for our freedom, Two 80-year-old ex-matelots, Mike and Joe, have as well as the freedom of others. been drinking Oppo’s for 60 years. When it's clear that Joe is dying, Mike visits him every day. One Some of us saw actual combat day Mike says, ‘Joe, we both loved drinking all our and some of us didn’t. lives since being in the Navy together, and we drank Some of us saw the world, and some of us didn’t. on most days together for so many years. Please Some of us dealt with physical warfare. do me one favour, when you get to heaven,

Most of us dealt with psychological warfare. somehow you must let me know if there's drinking We have seen, experienced and dealt with things there.’ Joe looks up at Mike from his death bed, that we can’t fully describe or explain as, ‘Mike, you've been my bezzy Oppo for many years. not all of our sacrifices were physical. If it's at all possible, I'll do that favour for you.’ Shortly after that, Joe crossed the Bar. At midnight We participated in time honoured ceremonies, a couple of nights later, Mike is awakened from a and rituals with each other. sound sleep by a blinding flash of white light and a Strengthening our bonds and camaraderie. voice calling out to him, ‘Mike, Mike.’ ‘Who is it? We counted on each other to get our job done, asks Mike sitting up suddenly. ‘Who is it?’ Mike-- and sometimes, to survive it at all. it's me, Joe.’ ‘You're not Joe. Joe just died.’ ‘I'm We have dealt with victory and tragedy. telling you, it's me, Joe,’ insists the voice. ‘Joe! We have celebrated and mourned. Where are you?’ ‘In heaven’, replies Joe. ‘I have We lost a few along the way; some really good news and a little bad news.’ ‘Tell we are losing friends now. me the good news first,’ says Mike. ‘The good

When our adventure was over, news,’ Joe says,’ is that there's drinking in heaven. some of us went back home. Better yet, all of our old Oppo’s who died before us Some of us started somewhere new; are here, too. Better than that, we're all young and some of us never came home at all. again. Better still, it's always opening time and they issue the Tot every day. And best of all, we can play We have told amazing and hilarious stories Uckers all we want.’ That's fantastic,’ says Mike. of our exploits and adventures. ‘It's beyond my wildest dreams! So, what's the bad We share an unspoken bond with each other, news? ‘You're the Rum Bosun this Saturday!’ that most people don’t experience, Shep Woolley used to tell this dit at some of his gigs and few will understand. which, if I remember properly involved breeding rabbits? 6 RN Sailors & Staff in Portsmouth to Learn Their The agreement will encompass a wider scope for Fate soon as Senior Service Starts Shake-up potential collaborative projects and information Tom Morton Portsmouth News 16 Aug 2020 sharing. Commodore Mike Knott, ACOS Maritime Hundreds of office-based RN sailors and staff in Capability and Development, and RN sponsor Portsmouth will be told in the next few weeks that they for the Memorandum of Understanding, said: ‘The need to fill frontline jobs at sea, or leave the Senior RN is on an exciting journey to modernise and Service. The plans are part of a naval shake-up for optimise our ability to collect and exploit the RN’s HQ Whale Island revealed earlier this year. hydrographic and oceanographic information. This The First Sea Lord Admiral Tony Radakin said he enduring memorandum allows the RN to work wanted to make the service leaner and more closely with the National Centre and efficient, which in turn would free up money to be Defence Science and Technology Laboratories to invested at sea. The Sun has reported that 400 collaborate in developing our world leading expertise land-based jobs will be axed, and that most of the in marine science. Consequently, it will ensure that staff will be told their options as they return from the operational decisions we make will be based on summer leave in the next few weeks. Adm Radakin the most up to date environmental data. previously outlined plans to cut 1,000 jobs in Portsmouth, but this number has been reduced. It Global AIP Systems & Lithium Submarine will take until 2023 to reach his target, The Sun said. Battery Trends in Industry Statistics by 2020-26 A RN spokesman said: ‘It’s not about cutting jobs but By Exltech 13th Aug 2020 instead will place our talented personnel where they Latest research on the Global AIP Systems and are needed the most, on the front line. ‘It will mean Lithium Batteries for Submarine Market that their skills and experience can be deployed around the covers growth factor, future trends and focuses world to better counter threats, offer aid and save on overall knowledge that can help to make lives.’ decisions on the current market situation. This In January, it was reported that five of the 13 Admirals report provides information on Size, Type, based at Whale Island would lose their jobs and be Service, Output, Revenue, Growth Rate, Gross replaced by more junior officers. Adm Radakin Margin and opportunities with potential risk previously told The News that in order to bring more analysis. The AIP Systems and Lithium Batteries sailors into front-line roles, he would change how ships for Submarine research study defines top are crewed. Currently, naval drafts to a ship can last company profiles with trends around the world a couple of years. Instead he wants to create a new present in the market. The report also discusses model of crewing ships, similar to those currently of financial developments with the effect of COVID- minehunters of Gulf-based HMS Montrose, 19 on the market of AIP Systems and Lithium which share crews on a rotational basis. The 54-year- Batteries for Submarine across years. The old said: ‘We’re going to try and double-crew another Type 23 [frigate] or Type 45 []. Naval bases research executes financial adjustments that will come under the Fleet Commander as will occur on the market year after year, with details operational sea training. ‘The aim is to strengthen the on future opportunities and risk to keep you operational link of both maintenance and training. We ahead of the competitors. This research has need to get better in both areas.’ driven you to expand your company. Major Players Covered in this Report are: DCNS, RN Commits to Underwater Survey Work United Technologies Corporation, ThyssenKrupp RN News Release 13 Aug 2020 Marine Systems, Soryu, Saab, Saft, Siemens, The RN has shown its commitment to using Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW), Epsilor, autonomous and robot systems for underwater Samsung SDI survey work. It comes as the navy, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) and The demand for AIP Systems and Lithium the National Oceanography Centre have renewed Batteries for Submarine is projected to expand, and expanded their Memorandum of Understanding during the forecast period, from USD million in for the . The agreement 2020 to USD million by 2026. The global market will see the organisations continue to collaborate in report is a systematic study that focuses on the trials and testing of marine autonomous systems overall demand structure, development trends, and sensors to collect data, broadening the navy’s business models and business of top countries in capabilities in this area. The first iteration of the the global market for AIP Systems and Lithium memorandum, signed in 2014, focused on the joint Batteries for Submarines. The study focuses on development and trials of unmanned underwater well-known global AIP Systems and Lithium vehicles. But as the Royal Navy looks to become Batteries for Submarine suppliers, market more innovative with agile working and new segments, competition and the macro market. methods of operating, it’s continued relationship To Request an Exclusive Sample Report for AIP with the world-class academic and research of the Systems and Lithium Batteries for S/M Market National Oceanography Centre will now look more https://www.marketgrowthinsight.com/sample/128110 to the North Atlantic. 7 SENT TO ME BY AN OLD SALT!!! me that my ship is alive and well and that my shipmates were on watch and keeping me safe. Just a reminder as to what the Royal Navy was like The aroma from the galley during the Morning back in our day. I remember standing on the foc'sle Watch. Cheesy, Hammy, Eggy, Train Smash on a Morning watch weighing anchor with the smell (tinned tomatoes on fried bread), Sh*t on a Raft of the North Wind whipping in from ahead and the (kidneys, thick gravy and fried bread) and Figgy Duff taste of salt spray on my lips. The feel of the ship (Suet pudding). The wholesome taste of kai (very beneath me, a living thing as her engines drive her thick cocoa) during the middle watch on a cold, dark through the sea. The sounds of the RN, the piercing winters night. The sound of the bow slicing through trill of the boatswain’s call, the clang of the ships the mirror calm of the sea and the frolicking of bell, the harsh squawk of the main broadcast dolphins as they darted in and out of the bow wave. Tannoy and the strong language and laughter of Watching the ships wake disappearing back sailors at work. The towards the horizon knowing that it will be gone in a warships, sleek short time and being aware of the fact that we were , fussing not the first or will not be the last to leave our mark , plodding fleet on the water. The state-of-the-art equipment and auxiliaries, menacing the orange glow of radar screens manned by young submarines, purposeful men in anti-flash gear using sound powered phones mine hunters and that their grandfathers would still recognise. The steady solid carriers. The proud names of the RN's infectious feeling of excitement as we returned capital ships, Ark Royal, Lion and Tiger. The home again, the hugs and kisses of welcome from descriptive names of destroyers, Daring, Battleaxe, sweethearts, family and friends. Cavalier, and frigates, Active, Undaunted, Vigilant, to name just a few. The military beat of the Royal The work was hard and dangerous, the going rough Marine Band blaring on the upper deck as we at times, the parting from loved ones painful but the entered harbour in Procedure Alpha. robust RN comradeship, the all for one and one for

The pipe ‘Liberty men fall in’ and the spicy scent and all philosophy of the sea was ever present. The sights of a foreign port. Going ashore in No 1 traditions of the uniform to meet the ladies and visit the watering Royal Navy and the holes of these foreign ports. My mates, men from men who made all parts of the land, from city and country alike and them and the all walks of life, I depended on them as they heroism of the men depended on me for professional competence, who sailed in the comradeship, trust and courage, in a word we were ships of yesteryear. shipmates, a band of brothers. A loud game of Now that I am home, Uckers in the evening with my messmates. My I still remember with shipmate slinging my Mick (hammock) for me fondness and coming aboard after a run ashore, knowing that I respect the sea in all its moods from the shimmering would do the same for him. The surge of adventure mirror calm of the tropics to the storm-tossed waters in my heart when the calls of ‘Special Sea Dutymen of the North Atlantic, the bright colours of the White close up’ or ‘Away Seaboats crew’ were piped. The Ensign snapping at the yardarm, the sound of hearty absolute joy of hearing the call ‘Up Spirits’ in laughter. I am ashore for good now and grow wistful anticipation of your daily tot of rum. about my Royal Navy days, when I was young and a new adventure was ever over the horizon. The sudden adrenalin rush when the ‘Action Stations’ alarm blared, followed by the clamour of Stamped on my brain is my Official Number and an running feet on ladders and the resounding thump anchor where my heart is. Numbers will never be of watertight doors and hatches being shut as the the same again: Uniforms: Number 1s 2s 3s 8s 10s ship transformed herself from a peaceful home to a 10As, Punishments: Number 9s, 14s. Even as deadly weapon of war ready for anything. The times change, and young matelots take over from atmosphere of the ship in the darkness of night, the old seadogs, some things will never change. The dim red glow of the nightlights and the navigation old days were always harder. The recruits always lights. Standing on the quarterdeck as ‘Lifebuoy looked younger. Official Numbers were always Ghost’ (sentry) watching the sparkling smaller. The waves were always bigger. The girls phosphorescence from the screws as they were as good looking in Pompey (Portsmouth) as constantly pushed tons of water astern of the ship, they were in Guzz (Devonport). Your last ship was carrying us to our next destination. The ‘Watch on always the best. If I haven't been there, it doesn't Deck’ on a balmy tropical night in the South China exist - or we blew it off the map. Only a sailor knows, sea watching the glorious sunset, and flying fish I was a sailor once and I know. I look back and gliding for amazing distances across the surface of realise it was not just a job, it was a way of life. A life the sea, with some landing inboard. Drifting off to where shipmates were a family never to be sleep in a hammock, lulled by the myriad of noises forgotten. I was part of the Royal Navy and the large and small that told Royal Navy will always be part of me. 8 Narwhal Ended Up Being The Navy's energy is exchanged into the secondary system. Stealthiest With less energy, the primary coolant flows back Aaron Amick Warzone 30 April 2020 down towards the reactor vessel in a return loop. Editor: I served on HMS Narwhal early 1970’s and This simple design relies on physics to move the corresponded with the USS Narwhal. Whilst out the water rather than a mechanical pump. Natural States we were victualled on USS L Y Spear a very circulation only occurs under specific circumstances, generous host, though our Coxswain was not so reactor coolant pumps were still used, but only impressed with the invoices when we received them when necessary. When the reactor is critical, but in back in the UK but that is another story entirely! My a low power state, it may not have enough energy to USS Navy Narwhal Badge is still in my possession maintain a natural circulation of the primary coolant. having been removed from my thousands of miler This is when the primary coolant pumps are used to bomber jacket which was part of my Pirate Rig! I maintain coolant circulation to prevent runaway heat hope you find this article as fascinating as I did? generation in the reactor vessel. Conversely, in a high energy state, a mechanical coolant pump is The USS Narwhal, also known by its hull number necessary to keep up with the coolant demands. SSN-671, was a totally unique and experimental There is a wide region of power between these two nuclear-powered and one of the conditions that allow the main engines and turbines most successful boats of her era. Her unique design to run normally without main reactor coolant pumps made her the quietest attack submarine in the U.S. working at all. This portion of the envelope is where fleet in the 1970’s and she was routinely deployed far Narwhal would be able to operate with and wide to watch Soviet submarines in the Atlantic unprecedented stealthiness. and around Soviet-supported satellite states in the Mediterranean. In this The next challenge was addressing the massive piece, we will dive deeply reduction gear system used in nuclear submarines. into what made her quieter This mechanical complex of pinions and gears is than any other operational used to convert high energy, high rotations per nuclear submarine of her era minute (RPM) main engine steam turbines’ motion and how the game-changing into a high-torque, low RPM shaft rotation. Every technology she pioneered metal-on-metal joining in this reduction system is a was implemented in future noise source. Collectively it can be very detectable US’s submarine projects. In at most speeds. Electric Boat removed it from the the first half of the 1960’s, the U.S. Navy challenged ship’s plans. They installed a revolutionary, direct- the Electric Boat Division of the drive main engine turbine that was mechanically Corporation with constructing an operational linked to the shaft. This system was larger than the prototype submarine using elements of the Sturgeon original reduction gear design, 12’ in diameter and class hull design. It was to be quiet, fast, and lethal, 30’ in length, resulting in a while still leveraging existing technology and slightly wider submarine than construction methods. the Sturgeon class, but also a significantly quieter To understand what made SSN-671 so special, we submarine overall. Electric must understand what makes nuclear submarines Boat was determined to vulnerable to detection and destruction. Any piece of remove as many noise sources as possible. They equipment that moves is a potential noise source for tackled the Main Seawater system next. Two a submarine. The heavier and faster it moves, the seawater scoops were added to the exterior part of more energy is being exchanged, thus the more likely the hull that would force water into the main seawater it is to become a detection problem. Some of that system as the Narwhal moved forward. During low energy can be transmitted as vibration, a cyclical speed, slow approach operations these scoops energy systems detect. If the engineers can moved enough water to cool the engine room loads. remove or improve these heavy energy loads, they The main seawater system could be cross- will be successful in building a quieter nuclear connected to the axillary water systems effectively submarine. Electric Boat identified areas that could supplying all engine room seawater demands without be improved. The first was the Main Reactor Coolant pumps. With these changes planned, USS pumps. These large, high-heat, high- Narwhal’s keel was laid on 17 Jan 1966 at the pumps spin under heavy load and can be the most Electric Boat's yard in Groton, Connecticut with vulnerable acoustic source of any nuclear-powered strictly compartmentalised access measures put in vessel. General Electric designed Narwhal’s unique place to safeguard her secrets. A quiet, but proud, S5G power plant with the reactor vessel situated low Admiral Hyman G. Rickover, the ‘father’ of the in the submarine’s hull and the steam generators nuclear Navy was present at the launch in Sept 1967 situated above the reactor to facilitate a natural flow when Mrs. Glynn R. Donaho christened the of the reactor’s primary coolant. This Pressurised- submarine into Connecticut's Thames River. His Water Reactor (PWR) design heated its primary loop new cutting-edge S5G reactor was officially heading in the reactor and convection moved the water into to pier-side trials. The 5,300-ton displacement, 314’ the steam generator near the top of the loop where long, 38’ wide submarine finished sea trials in 1969 9 with little rework needed. The crew of about 140 men exposed above the waterline. This was perhaps the successfully passed all technical and operational most unique underway in submarine history. The requirements. The sub performed very well and was captain was awarded a promotion for his quick amazingly quiet. Narwhal was assigned to SM decisive action in the most unlikely of circumstances. Detachment Two in New London, Connecticut, and Detailed accounting of these events was reported in deployed to Holy Loch and Faslane, Scotland in 1970 a past War Zone article. and 1971. The unique submarine’s deployments Editor: For U.S. Merit Medals see took her ‘around the corner,’ a term used when a sub https://www.public.navy.mil/bupers- enters the Barents Sea from the Norwegian Sea, npc/support/uniforms/uniformregulations/Pages/Nav where she successfully trailed Soviet submarines. yAwardsPrecedenceChart.aspx She was awarded Meritorious Unit Commendations for these missions. The specifics of her operations The subsequent 36-month long refuel and overhaul are still classified, but she had a high operational included a sonar upgrade to the AN/BQQ-5D system. tempo because of her incredible acoustic advantage. This gave the Narwhal the ability to beamform a new The Navy was maximising her opportunities to collect thin-line towed array, the TB-23. This new towed as much data on the Soviet's Northern Fleet as array was much longer than the previous TB-16 possible. Between 1970 to 1974, she deployed six tactical towed array, allowing much more directivity times and was awarded a Meritorious Unit at low frequency. Low-frequency detection and Commendation, Navy Unit Commendation, and directivity are important because frequencies below Battle Efficiency ‘E’ award. She was a ‘hot boat’ who 100 Hz are more difficult to prevent at the source. deployed often and was rewarded for it with extended New and well-maintained submarines may only have shore visits in northern Europe. low-frequency vulnerabilities. Low frequencies also travel much farther in a water medium because they From 1975 to 1979, she deployed to the U.S. Sixth don’t lose as much energy as higher frequencies. Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea. There she operated With this in mind, the TB-23 towed array gave the with the fleet and independently earned two more Narwhal a very long-range detection capability. An Meritorious Unit Commendations, two Battle obvious modification to the hull became known as the Efficiency ‘E’ and two Anti-Submarine Warfare Gold ‘turtleback.’ This was a large expansion of the hull ‘A’ awards. The USS Narwhal’ is one of two topside just forward of the rudder that was made to remarkably successful submarines during this period house equipment. The Navy never officially released for the Navy. The other was the USS Parche, which what the modification was for, even after conducted Operation Ivy Bells in the Pacific, among decommissioning. Speculation among media other highly classified operations. After a drydock sources suggests it sheltered a remotely operated and repair period, SSN-671 was deployed back to vehicle or was a lockout chamber similar to the one the Mediterranean Sea and attached to the Sixth on the USS Parche. It was probably was added to Fleet again. She earned another set of Battle make room for the thin line towed array handling Efficiency ‘E’ and Engineering Red ‘E’ awards gear, but that has never been confirmed. between 1982 and ’85. She participated in annual wargames in the Atlantic and wrapped up the 1980’s back in the Mediterranean Sea earning another award, the Supply Blue ‘E’. She returned to Charleston Naval Base in South Carolina to prepare for an upcoming overhaul period. With her reactor shutdown and diesel fuel offloaded, the sub was in no condition to go to sea when Hurricane Hugo appeared in the Atlantic. The crew doubled the mooring lines and nine

wire cables held the submarine fast to the pier A Port bow view of the Submarine Tender USS L.Y. and they prepared to ride Spear (AS-36) tied up on the north side of one of the out the storm in the Destroyer & Submarine (D&S) piers at Naval Station watertight, but not a Norfolk in Virginia. The nuclear-powered attack seaworthy vessel. submarine USS Narwhal (SSN-671) is tied up Hurricane Hugo hit inboard on the south side of the pier with a Sturgeon Charleston hard and class nuclear-powered attack submarine outboard. ripped all but one A red arrow points to the large raised hump added to mooring line free. With the Narwhal's stern. Editor: HMS Narwhal had a the winds pushing the couple of visits to Norfolk being looked after by LY Narwhal out into the river, the captain was faced with Spear I remember collecting Steaks for 9 O’Clockers two outcomes. Let the storm push the sub down the one night and the surplus steaks not eaten by the river and into anything that may be in the way or nine strong duty watch actually fed the whole ships submerge in the river. He chose to dive and ride out company the following day but sadly the ice cream the hurricane on the river bottom with the sail still not eaten had melted by then! 10 Revitalised, she returned to the Sixth Fleet in 1994. Review – A Flight of Figureheads There she conducted some local operations in 1995 David Pulvertaft Amberley, £14.99 Review C.Hilts before taking a 4-month-long journey around South ISBN 978-1445698526 America in 1996. In 1998, she began her 17th At The Box, in Plymouth, 14 colourful giants wait to deployment, a six-month tour around the greet visitors to this new museum (at time of writing, Mediterranean. She concluded a very secretive, but its Covid delayed opening had been rescheduled to highly awarded career conducting operations in the 29 Sept). Depicting monarchs, mythological beings, North Atlantic and supporting operations in local and more abstract concepts, these figureheads once operating areas off the east coast of the U.S. until graced the bows of 19th-century RN warships, her decommissioning in 1999. Decommissioning a providing a physical representation of the ships’ submarine only a few years after refuel and names. The figures have been recently restored by overhaul is rare and suggests that something may Orbis Conservation, a Greenwich-based team of have happened causing her early exit from experts who also cleaned and consolidated operational status. Of course, this was a time of Liverpool’s Neolithic Calder Stones, and this book great drawdowns in end-strength after the end of the has been written to Cold War. Nuclear surface combatants were also accompany the naval being retired well before their service lives expired. artworks’ installation in With the submarine threat largely reduced by the Plymouth. David Pulvertaft’s collapse of the Soviet Union, keeping the one-off pages contain plentiful boat operational was likely a cost the Navy no contextual information, longer thought was necessary. The cost of the exploring the history of service’s next-generation submarine program had warship figureheads, their ballooned and those boats would be incredibly themes, and the artists who capable, as well, further making the Narwhal less of created them. We also learn a ‘unicorn,’ so to speak. more about how the 14 Box

The Navy incorporated the technology of the natural examples were restored, and about surprising circulation in the S5G reactors into the newer S8G discoveries that were made during their conservation powerplants. The ability to cross-connect seawater (for example, regarding their colour schemes). Each systems became standard on U.S. submarines, but of the 14 is described in detail, considering the the scoops were never used again due to SUBSAFE meaning of their imagery, where their host vessels restrictions. The SUBSAFE program was created in saw action, and their subsequent movements. As the wake of the USS Thresher disaster, which might be expected for such a visual subject, this is tragically killed everyone onboard. Part of the safety also a pleasingly well-illustrated publication. program limited the size of any hull penetrations and Editor: I remember many years ago having an the scoops exceeded those limitations. The direct unofficial visit to a ‘store’ of Naval Artefacts in South drive was a technological marvel and very quiet, but Yard, Devonport Dockyard, Plymouth, and was due to its increased size, the cost in manpower, absolutely amazed at the stored Figureheads and time, and money required to maintain it, it was not other material set out as a museum. The numbers used again in future builds. By the 1980’s, a new certainly exceeded the fantastic collection in the submarine was on the drawing boards at Electric RNM at Portsmouth in the Trafalgar Building, but Boat that would become the most capable and there again South Yard in the 1970’s was a treasure quietest submarine the U.S. ever built, the USS trove of stored material. I was visiting once to order Seawolf, also known as SSN-21. Even though she crates for my possession’s to be shipped out to has been eclipsed by newer and more capable Sydney Australia for a three-year draft to HMAS submarines, Narwhal will go down in history as one Platypus for HMS Odin. The shipping crates despite of the ‘hottest’ boats in U.S. Navy history and its being plywood were so well made that still form the experimental nature certainly plays into her unique basis of my shelving in my garage; though being mystique to this very day. nearly 50 years old they certainly could not be reused for their original purpose!! Aaron Amick is a retired U.S. Navy submarine sonarman. He served in both Atlantic and Pacific RN HQ Whale Island in Portsmouth is Partly Oceans on 688 Los Angles Class Fast Attack and Closed after Deadly Legionella Bacteria is Found Ohio class ballistic missile submarines. He has Tom Cotterill Portsmouth News 21 Aug 2020 published two audiobooks on Cold War-era Leach building, part of navy command HQ on Whale submarines, Akula SSN Project 971 Sub Brief and Island, Portsmouth, has temporarily shut while the USS Nautilus SSN-571 Sub Brief. & The War Zone. Legionella bacteria is flushed out and the water

HMS system is treated. There are no reports of staff with Narwhal S03 symptoms so far and the insisted there had been no British ‘P’ impact’ on operations. Cleaning is ongoing to ensure Class the safety of the water supply, & there has been no Conventional impact on RN operations & numbers of staff reduced S/M 1957-77 due to leave and furloughed to work from home. 11 Britain's Astute-Class Submarines Are Pushing after being laid down. It was followed by HMS Back on Russia' Arctic Plans Ambush in 2013 and HMS Artful in 2016. HMS Robert Farley National Interest 5 Aug 2020 Audacious should enter service later this year, with the Astute’s represent the core of the RN’s Anson, Agamemnon and Ajax following at two-year offensive capabilities with the emergence of new intervals. Still, the Astute’s represent a step back tensions between NATO and Russia, they have from a numerical perspective. From 1993 until 2004, regained the old antisubmarine mission, especially the RN operated five Swiftsure-class SSNs and as Russian maritime interest has focused on seven Trafalgar’s. The Swiftsure’s began to leave rebuilding and recapitalising the submarine fleet. service in 2004, leaving the Trafalgar’s and the Since the commissioning of HMS Dreadnought in Astute’s, which began to come into service in 2010. 1963, the RN has maintained a formidable force of But the RN decided to retire the Trafalgar’s because nuclear attack submarines. Indeed, HMS of excessive hull wear beginning in 2009. Three of the Conqueror is the only nuclear attack submarine boats remain in service, but by 2022 the Astute’s will (SSN) to ever sink an enemy warship in anger. But be the only nuclear attack submarines serving in the the Royal Navy has undergone a transformational RN. In effect, the RN has gone from having a force crisis over the past decade, shrinking in size and of twelve SSNs to a force of seven SSN’s, changing in composition. The latest nuclear attack notwithstanding the greater size and capabilities of subs, the Astute class, have become a critical the Astute’s. component of the future of the RN, but, given The Astute’s are the largest SSN’ ever operated by Russia’s resurgence, are they enough? the RN, half again as large as the Trafalgar class. At The RN operated nineteen nuclear attack 7,700 tons, they are roughly the same size as the U.S. submarines across the course of the Cold War. As Navy’s Virginia-class boats, although smaller than the in the U.S, the fall of the Soviet Union changed the Seawolf’s and the largest Russian SSN classes. The requirements for the RN’s submarine fleet. The UK boats can carry thirty-eight missiles or torpedoes, and initially expected to build what amounted to the Astute’s are, along with the remaining Trafalgar’s, Trafalgar Mark II boats: subs focused on the only vessels currently in British service that can antisubmarine warfare, expected to defeat Soviet fire land-attack missiles. Unlike their submarines in the North Atlantic and the Arctic. But American counterparts, the Astute’s lack a vertical the collapse of the Soviet Union dramatically launch system (VLS) for their cruise missiles. They reduced the Russian sub threat, and created new are designed for thirty knots submerged, and requirements. The RN took a design pause, and although they initially suffered some problems, they eventually produced a larger submarine, one more reportedly have reached that speed in more recent suited to multipurpose operations, including land trials. The Astute’s carry an extremely effective sonar attack. HMS Astute was laid down in 2001, ten suite, generally believed to be as good or better than years after the completion of the last Trafalgar boat any competitor. And while information on relative and three years after the launching of HMS acoustic signature of different submarines is hard to Vengeance, the last of the Vanguard-class SSBNs. come by, authorities seem to regard the Astute’s as Unfortunately, the gap had led to the atrophy of key among the world’s quietest boats. design and production capabilities, resulting in delays and cost overruns that continue to harry the MUSEUMS OF THE ROYAL NAVY program today. Basic drafting and engineering The museum sites in Portsmouth and Gosport skills had deteriorated as the submarine reopened 24 Aug, following the reopening of construction work force had retired or moved on, Yeovilton, and Hartlepool in Sept. When you decide forcing British Aerospace (which had taken over to return to our sites, your safety and enjoyment will be the programme) to redevelop many key of the utmost importance to us. This is why we are capabilities. introducing some additional safety measures, so our sites might look a little different initially, but don’t worry Other problems emerged around the sophisticated you will still receive the same world-class welcome drafting software used to design the class. This that you are used to. In order to help manage our sites took time, pushing back the construction of the first safely we will be asking all visitors including annual boats, and pushing up overall costs. Additional ticket holders and members to pre-book their tickets problems emerged after HMS Astute entered online as this ensures that we can manage capacities service. The boats are considered cramped, and and that you will feel comfortable on site. Tickets for crews have endured some atmospheric issues all of our sites that are reopening are now on sale. (excessive ) inside the subs. Just like before, all of our tickets will offer 12 months Problems with reactor design (borrowed from the access to a particular site, this means that you can Vanguard SSBN’s) led to a mismatch of some revisit time and time again for no extra cost. For components, and an inability to achieve design anyone who has previously purchased one of our speeds. To add insult to injury, HMS Astute ran annual passes, you are able to extended these so you aground on sea trials a month after its delivery. won’t miss out on exploring your favourite site. More Notwithstanding these difficulties, HMS Astute information on our ticket extension policy and safety entered service in August 2010, some nine years measures is available via our website. 12 Memories of the Film Show, The Crimson Pirate washhouses and the no. of bowls, baths and toilets A-Boat North Atlantic 1950’s also the number of men having to use them. The MP The screen is rigged across the tube space doors, then said, ‘I’m a membe4r of the Estimate Committee the projector on boxes under the fore hatch ladder, (the people responsible for posting out money to the just in front of the 2nd Coxn’s door. The electrician Armed Forces) and I am due to visit Blockhouse in a threading on the film round the rollers, the lads off few weeks to inspect the plans for the new Officers watch squatting, sitting, half lying all over the place accommodation and if you are lying to me, I’ll have on carrots, cabbages, onions, potatoes, the stench your guts for garters’. Yorky did as he was told and of shale oil, gash bins and diesel and Woodbines. sent off the letter with all the measurements to the MP. The lads are off watch for a couple of hours the Come the day of the visit, the Committee arrived at the sarcasm and wit are let loose in richly varying Pier Head in the ‘Green Parrot’ (The CinC’s Barge) accents from most corners of the UK. Burps and escorted by tons of Brass. Waiting on the Jetty was the art of flatulence are abundant. From Yorkshire FOSM, his Chief of Staff, SM and lots more Brass. comes, ‘Fooking ‘urry opp, twat’, to the electrician. After shaking hands, the MP said, ‘Would you please Next it’s lights, action and shouts of ‘focus’ all round. pipe over the tannoy for LEM Berkinshaw (Not his real On the screen a magnificent pirate ship in full sail. name) to come to the Pierhead’.

Another Woodbine is lit, It looks good’ cause there’s Yorky was working in the Electrical Workshop at the no f***ing stoker on it’. Show it in slow motion so time when he heard the pipe, so he grabbed his little the Cox’n can understand it.’ Soon the film works round hat and doubled down to the Jetty and as he its magic. Nick Cravat is flying about the masts; turned the corner he was met by a sea of gold braid, blue seas. The story unwinds and after two reels all glaring at him, and his MP who said, ‘Ah Young the lads are praying the film bosun has not been Berkinshaw, show me these Stable you live in.’ seen off and we get the last reel of Henry V; the ‘Certainly, walk this way’ said Yorky. Everyone reels can get mixed. Then, of course, a grand finish trooped up to the Stables and inspected it, the broken with a ‘Fred Quimby Special’, shouts of ‘Good old beds, the hammocks slung between the rafters, the Fred’, and if the transformer holds out we’ve had a busted lockers, the appalling electrical wiring and a good film show. Dave Sullivan. Editor: Not much general air of depression and of course, the terrible different to 20 years later in the 1970’s either!! wash house. The

The LEM 1953/3 MP looked at I WAS ON A a FOSM and said, Boat running out ‘We think that we of Derry in the will forget about the winter of 52/53 Officers and one night, accommodation anchored off this year and Moville, we asked spend the money the Lem when he would make PO Electrician. here’. End of Visit. One hour later Yorky was piped to ‘Never, was his reply and told us the following; report to the Drafting Office where Ernie Glen (The ‘Yorky’ was on leave in Halifax where his parents Sailors Friend) handed him a draft chit for Rothesay had a pub. One evening at opening time he told his Spare Crew, and two hours later he was off. I father to stay upstairs and he would open up for him. understand he finished his dozen a LEM still. Trade was rather slow and the only punters were 3 R.P. Kennet, Birkdale SOCA News 1998 elderly bods in the Guns is Dead Snug Bar. One of From Whispers from these punters was the Fleet by Rr Adm full of rabbit and Sir C. Cradock 1908 was pontificating The crew of a boat like mad about are as follows; hour ‘Our Capt; Surface, submariners had Commands on the best of everything, the best food, the best Bridge, Dived, Commands in Conning Tower. The accommodation etc, etc. Yorky, (who was in No2. A Lt or S/Lt Surfaced IC Internally, Dived I/C civvies) leaned over the bar and said Bollards!’ The Internally. Coxswain Surfaced, Steers on Bridge, customer looked aghast and said, ‘I’m your local MP Dived, Steers by compass with vertical rudders. Four and don’t you dare talk to me like that. ’Yorky then AB’s, Surfaced Deck Hands, Dived Work flooding and went on to explain the number of hand basins we blowing valves. LTO & 2nd LTO Run motors & all had (6 in number) all cracked and no plugs. 2 baths electrical gear, fire torpedoes & have charge of standing in proud isolation in the middle of the wash Electrical Battery. 2xERA 1Ch Stoker Work surface house, no doors on the toilets etc. the MP listened petrol engines, air compressors, pumping in silence and when Yorky had finished his diatribe arrangements. One Stoker Runs about with an oil the MP said; ‘When you go back to Blockhouse after can and cleans up the mess when in harbour. your leave, & send me all the measurements of your Passengers. Stand still & don’t ask questions 13 The Strange S/M Saga: How Did We Get There? relationship with the US. Powerful arguments could Graeme Dobel The Strategist 10 Aug 2020 be mounted: defence policy is too important to Creating the 12 Attack-class submarines is a masquerade as industry policy. Every defence ‘wicked problem’. The cost of the largest defence dollar must get the maximum bang for the buck. procurement in Australia’s history has blown out to The Japanese sub would cost less and enter service $90 billion. The timelines stretch and the effort to quicker than an Oz build. Australia must move get Australian industry to do the build is also a swiftly to deal with a darkening strategic outlook. It’d stretch. Surveying this megaproject, one of be a fiendishly difficult debate, even within the Canberra’s sharpest umpires, the Australian Liberal Party, but this big policy argument sank National Audit Office, didn’t offer any before being launched. After presiding over the final recommendations, only ‘key messages’, in its Jan death of the Australian car industry, Abbott quietly performance audit. When the ANAO can’t discern inched towards sinking the Oz submarine industry, a better way, and goes gentle on whip, hammer or running an ‘internal process’ to choose the builder scalpel, it’s a mega toughie. The dollar meter tells of the new submarine. the story, as the ANAO recounts: In 2016 Defence reported the acquisition cost of the new submarines Japan was entitled to think the deal was done. That as more than $50 billion (out-turned). In Nov 2019, changed when Abbott suffered an extraordinary Defence advised the Senate that the acquisition caucus revolt in Feb 2015. A motion to ‘spill’ the cost of the Future Submarine was ‘in the order of leader got 39 ‘yes’ votes versus 61 to keep Abbott: $80 billion out-turned’, with an estimated about 40% of the caucus voted for an empty chair sustainment cost of $145 billion out-turned to 2080. rather than the PM. Scrambling for votes to avert ‘Out-turned’ is Defence-speak for ‘accounting for the spill, Abbott agreed to South Australian Liberals’ inflation’. As it’s turning out, the dollars are blowing demands for an open tender for the submarine out. The $80 billion figure quickly turned upwards. contract. The concession fed into the fundamental The July strategic update upped the acquisition cost fight to have future subs built at Adelaide’s of the Attack boats to $89.7 billion, in a forecast Osborne shipyard, birthplace of the six Collins- extending beyond 2040. The precision of that last class submarines. (ASC built Australia’s fleet of $700 million in the $89.7 billion forecast, 20 years Collins Class submarines in Adelaide between 1990 from now, is a nice touch, nearly $90 billion, but not and 2003, and now provides design enhancements, quite. ‘In the order of $80 billion’ in Nov; in the order maintenance and through-life support of the six- of $90 billion by July. A billion here, a billion there, vessel fleet at the Osborne Naval Shipyard. and that’s another 10 billion. Truly, this is a very The open tender became a contest between Japan, hungry future submarine. France and Germany. By Sept 2015, the caucus

Defence deserves sympathy on timelines because completed the job of beheading Abbott. Building of politics as well as complexity. In this telling, the subs in Japan went with him. Tokyo, though, figure of the prime minister from 2013 to 2015, believed it was still in the game. In the cabinet looms large. After overthrowing Abbott as PM, one reshuffle after Abbott’s fall, Adelaide MP of Malcolm Turnbull’s first meetings was with Christopher Pyne became minister for industry, Defence Secretary Dennis Richardson to discuss innovation and science. He writes of a Canberra what became the 2016 defence white paper. meeting with Mitsubishi executives and the Turnbull writes: Dennis came straight to the point. Japanese ambassador: We had a wide-ranging ‘PM, you will by now have a copy of the draft and candid discussion about the submarine project, Defence white paper. It’s a good piece of work. But defence and the historical relationship between part of it is complete and utter bullshit.’ Well, that Australia and the three nations who were bidding, got my attention. ‘It says,’ he continued, ‘that the France, Germany and Japan. My suspicion that the future submarines can start to be delivered in the Japanese believed they were likely to win was mid-2020’s, so about ten years from now. That’s confirmed when I was told informally that only after simply not possible. I told your predecessor this and this meeting did the Japanese bidders believe they he insisted that the 2020’s date should go in and might not win. leave the problem for another government.’ I didn’t As the tender process concluded, Turnbull worried have to think too long about that, so I told Dennis we that Abbott had encouraged Abe to believe the should include a completion date that matched decision would be ‘political’ and Japan would get the reality, which was the early 2030’s. nod. Adelaide politics trumped Tokyo. Calling Abe If Abbott had lasted as PM, he could have aimed for in April 2016 to tell him that France had won, that mid-2020’s target by torpedoing the bipartisan Turnbull said the Japanese leader ‘felt, with some consensus on building Oz submarines in Oz. Abbott justification, that they’d been let down. The political wanted submarines based on the Japanese Soryu way in which the tender arose always had the class, designed and built in Japan. He embraced potential to create awkward misunderstandings in Japan’s Shinzo Abe as a kindred conservative spirit. Japan.’ Politics is like that. And aligning Oz Getting a Japanese-made sub would cement a defence needs with industry policy makes for quasi-alliance with Japan within the trilateral difficult politics with a mega price tag. 14 NEWSLETTER FEEDBACK VJ DAY

VE Day. Pleased to say two White Ensigns and the Remember those in Burma St George Flag were displayed from 9, Grange Ave and in Singapore on the 15th Aug, together with my VE Day Who never returned to Blighty decorations in the front window, and then went to To Celebrate the end of the war the club. I didn’t have a tot of rum, and that was just By August the parties were ended because whisky was on offer that night! I also They had won in France watched the BBC coverage of the celebrations from VE Day was over the NMA in the morning, and from Horse Guards in But the ‘Forgotten’, still hadn’t a chance the evening. Peter J So, today we’ve put the flags out Submarine Near Miss. Terry, many thanks as And think of those days gone by always for the News Letter. The report on the near Ferry /Submarine collision was quite So today we’ve put the flags out fascinating, giving some insight in modern And think of those days gone by. submarine operation. Collisions have been with They WILL not be forgotten us from the beginning. My now sadly deceased We still hold their standard high. neighbour, former AB Cliff Alexander told me of Beryl Dykes the time he was the senior ASDIC operator of submerged HMS Tactician in the English Beryl is a Church Channel on a sunny day in the fifties. He told the Warden and this is skipper there were three merchant ships above, what she did off her and gave their approximate positions. The own back at her skipper then surfaced; right under one of the village 750-year-old ships! Attached is a photograph from Cliff of the Parish Church as damaged boat. Apparently, the consequent well as author of the damage involved a severe scoring of the wonderful verse pressure hull by part of the casing. above, BZ Beryl.

Submariners Memorial Competition is now Closed The public competition for the design of the new Submariner Memorial at the NMA is now closed. The winners will be announced on the 29 Sept.

The Whereabouts of HMS Urge. The Naval Historical Branch / MoD should never have let themselves being fooled by those who say they have found the wreck of HMS Urge off Malta. Because, the NHB are the custodians of one of the only two sets of Admiralty War Diaries, and because somewhere in these Diaries, this can be read; Quote. Submarine URGE (Lt Cdr E P Tomkinson Editor: HMS Tactician was adopted by Alfreton in DSO) was sunk by Italian aircraft off Ras el Hilal. WWII. Thanks to Jack Winstanley & the Derbyshire Cdr Tomkinson, Lt D B Allen. Lt J M S Poole DSC, Submariners the Tactician Bell and Plaque were Ty/Lt J S D Ransome DSC RNR, twenty-eight renovated by Rolls Royce and presented by DS with ratings and 11 RN rating passengers for Alexandria a fantastic presentation at Alfreton Town Hall in were lost. Unquote. Because of the detail ‘Ty’, this company with some of the HMS Ambush crew. entry could only have originated from Malta

Astute Class 'Coins' Submarine Command (those who could have These coins are available at www.swocoins.co.uk known about the Temporary assignment of are created Ransome!). Had the NHB/MoD been more careful, and sold by they would not have validated this fraudulent Claim: an employee https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest- at BAE in activity/news/2019/october/31/191031-ww2- submarine-urge-found-off-malta Barrow for various The Families of those entombed in HMS Urge have, charities. in turn, been fooled because they have been 80% of the officially and publicly told their loved ones are off profit from Malta, when the truth is they are at Maras el Hilal, this coin will Libya. Out of loyalty to the lost Submariners and out go to the of respect for the Families, the MoD should now appeal with 20% going to local Barrow charities. reveal the real whereabouts of this War Grave of More on our website. HMS Urge. J.P. Misson 15 S.Korea to Develop Nuke-Powered Submarine forfeited the right to use the ‘snapback’ mechanism Chosun Ilbo, RCN Naval Brief 11 Aug 2020 created under the JCPOA when it withdrew from the The Ministry of Defence (MoD) unveiled its five-year deal, and therefore has no say on how countries spending plan on 10 Aug, with the ministry proposing party to the agreement should respond to Iran’s 1 to increase spending by 3 /2% from last year’s plan, non-compliance with its stipulations. 2 from about USD $227 billion to $235.5b, with /3 1 earmarked for operations, and /3 for procurement Norway Police Arrest Citizen Suspected and R&D. MoD assumed that its primary security of Spying for Russia threat would remain North Korea, and new programs Al Jazeera, 17 & 19 August 2020 include a counter-artillery system along the lines of Police in Norway arrested a Norwegian citizen for Israel’s Iron Dome to defend Seoul and areas near allegedly spying for Russia. The accused, the Demilitarized Zone, to be deployed at the end of suspected to be Indian-born Harsharn Singh this decade, and more large transport planes to move Tathgar who worked in 3D printing and the energy equipment and personnel in a conflict. The Republic industry, reportedly handed sensitive information to of Korea Navy (ROKN) will arguably be the greatest a Russian intelligence officer and was arrested in the beneficiary of new spending, with MoD aiming to process of doing so at a restaurant in Oslo. The build a 30,000-ton light by 2030, the suspected intelligence officer, Aleksandr first batch of KSS-III attack submarines, and, notably, Stekolshchikov, was not arrested at the time due to the ROKN’s first ballistic missile nuclear sub. This his diplomatic status. However, on 19/8 Norway’s last purchase may require negotiations with the US, foreign ministry expelled Stekolshchikov on the which has a pact with S. Korea that prohibits the grounds that he was an intelligence officer posing as South from using nuclear energy for military a trade analyst at the Russian embassy. Although purposes, but Korea’s deputy national security Russia denies the allegations, the men were caught advisor suggested that an earlier bilateral missile ‘red-handed’ making the exchange and authorities range agreement already covers that issue. The confiscated a briefcase from Stekolshchikov that future addition of power projection capabilities to the contained sensitive materials, despite his diplomatic ROKN suggests that Seoul may be hedging against immunity which usually disallows confiscating a further US retrenchment, as US Defence Secretary personal belongings. Tathgar, who admitted to Mark Esper recently mused that US troops in South receiving a small sum of money for the intel, could Korea may be withdrawn, and as bilateral face up to 15-years in prison if convicted. Tensions negotiations over the cost of hosting American troops have increased between Russia and NATO states, in Korea have been acrimonious. including Norway, particularly after the latter’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and, although Russia and Iran Announces Locally made Ballistic and Norway have generally been able to maintain Cruise Missiles amid U.S. Tensions cooperative relations on a number of issues, Reuters, & Al Jazeera, 20 August 2020 intelligence-related incidents have been increasing. Iran has revealed new domestically developed ballistic and cruise missiles. Named after the late US Submarines & Bombers Are Challenging Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Cdr Qassem Russia In Its Own Backyard Soleimani and Iraqi militia Cdr Abu Mahdi, both Smriti Chaudhary Eurasian Times 26 Aug 2020 killed by a US airstrike in January. The former’s The US has moved its USS Seawolf Submarine at namesake is a surface-to-surface ballistic missile Norwegian port in the Arctic to match the expanding with a reported range of 1,400 km, while the latter Russian fleet in the region. ‘The Seawolf-class fast- is a cruise missile with a range of 1,000km. attack submarine USS Seawolf (SSN 21) is Though certainly planned well in advance, Iran’s operating in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations and announcement came just a day after an conducted a brief stop for personnel in the vicinity of announcement made by US President Donald Tromso, Norway,’ the US Navy confirmed in a Trump, that the US will push the UN to extend all statement. Seawolf’s deployment from Bangor, sanctions on Iran past their October expiry date, Washington, to the U.S. 6th Fleet demonstrates the which includes an arms embargo against the submarine force’s global reach and commitment to country that was put in place to disrupt its weapons provide persistent and clandestine undersea forces development programs. Washington contends worldwide to execute our unique missions with that continued sanctions will place pressure on unrivalled readiness,’ said Vice Adm. Daryl Caudle, Tehran to curb its nuclear program, the the commander of U.S. submarine forces. acceleration of which was successfully halted under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action Russia Working with China to Design (JCPOA) agreement until the US withdrew from it Submarine, Missile Defence System in 2018. As well as limit its ballistic missile Russia Web Desk 25 Aug 2020 program, and end its involvement in regional Despite advances in weapons’ development, China conflicts. The US’ request to ‘snapback’ sanctions continues to import from Russia. Russia's Sputnik against Iran is likely to be opposed by UN Security news agency quoted an official as saying Russia Council members Russia and China, as well as US was designing a 'non-nuclear' submarine with allies the UK and France, who argue that the U.S. China. No timeline issued for completion of project. 16 ACOUSTIC TILES On its first patrol, the boat was attacked by a I recently watched a TV episode of ‘Clear the Canadian Catalina flying boat which was shot Ocean’ which included a German Stealth down. On the second patrol, Förster departed Submarine and German Aircraft Carrier on the from Brest in occupied France on 3 Aug 1944, and Sea Floor. In recent years, nearly all modern sank two warships and two merchantmen: Flower- military submarines are designed to use anechoic class corvette HMCS Alberni 21 Aug, RN Algerine- tiles but until I saw this TV programme I previously class minesweeper HMS Loyalty 22 Aug, Fort Yale thought that the Acoustic Tiles on submarines from a convoy on 23 Aug, and the Orminister on were an invention from the 70’s for the Nuclear 25 Aug. For his success, Förster was awarded the boats of the time, but the technology of anechoic Knight's Cross on 18 Oct 1944. U-480 left tiles was developed by the Kriegsmarine in WWII, Trondheim, Norway, on 6 Jan 1945 for its third and codenamed Alberich after the invisible dwarf from last patrol. It did not return. In 1997, the wreck of Germanic Mythology. After the WWII the a Type VIIC U-boat was discovered by accident by technology was not used again until the 1970’s divers 12 miles SW of the Isle of Wight. The when the Soviet Union began coating its following year, it was correctly identified as the submarines in rubber tiles. These were initially Alberich-coated U-480 by nautical archaeologist prone to falling off, but as the technology matured Innes McCartney. Subsequent research by the it was apparent that the tiles were having a Naval Historical Branch established that it had dramatic effect in reducing the submarines' fallen victim to the secret minefield 'Brazier D2' acoustic signatures. Modern Russian tiles are sometime between 29 Jan and 20 Feb. A mine about 100mm thick, and apparently reduced the had damaged the stern of U-480, sending it to the acoustic signature of Akula-class submarines by bottom 180’ down. The entire crew was lost. between 10 and 20 decibels. The modern The Coating The Germans developed a 4mm materials consist of a number of layers and many (0.16”) thick sheet of synthetic rubber anechoic different sized voids, each targeted at a specific tile. Anti Sonar Coating which reduced the sonar sound frequency range at different depths. echo of U-boats which was sound absorbing Different materials are sometimes used in different synthetic rubber which coated the outer hull of the areas of the submarine to better absorb specific boats. Radar absorbing materials were also used frequencies associated with machinery at that to coat the heads. The coating reduced location inside the hull. The RN started using echoes by 15% in the 10 to 18 kHz range. This anechoic tiles in 1980, when HMS Churchill was frequency range matched the operating range of fitted with them during its second refit. The USN the early ASDIC active sonar used by the Allies. also started using anechoic tiles in 1980, with USS The ASDIC types 123, 123A, 144 and 145 all Batfish being the first boat to receive the ‘special operated in the 14 to 22kHz range. However, this hull treatment’. In recent years, nearly all modern degradation in echo reflection was not uniform at military submarines are designed to use anechoic all diving depths due to the voids being tiles. The short-term success of the First compressed by the water pressure. An additional operational tile fitted U-Boat was U480 benefit of the coating was it acted as a sound U-480 was ordered on 10 Apr 1941 and built by dampener, containing the U-boat’s own engine Deutsche Werke, Kiel. She was laid down 8 Dec noises. The rubber contained a series of holes, 1942 & launched 14 Aug 1943[ being which helped break up sound waves. There were commissioned 6 Oct 1943. The technical details problems with this technology: the material were; Class Type VIIC Submarine with a performed differently at different depths, due to the Displacement: of 769 tonnes surfaced and 871 holes being compressed by water pressure, and tonnes submerged. Length: 220’ 7” & Beam 20’ securing the tiles to the submarine's hull required 4”. Height: 31’ 6” & a Draught of 15’ 7”. Installed a special adhesive and careful application. The Power: 2,100–2,400Kw; 2,800-3,200bhp & first tests were conducted in 1940, but it was not diesels 550Kw electric. Propulsion: 2 shafts, 2 × used operationally until 1944, with U-480. diesel engines & 2 × electric motors giving Speeds According to the Naked Science television episode of 17.7Kn Surfaced & 7.6Kn Submerged. Range: ‘Stealth Submarine’, U-480 had a perforated inner 8,500 nmi (9,800 miles) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 rubber layer covered by a smooth outer one. This mph) surfaced and 80 nmi (92 miles) at 4 knots formed air pockets with the right separation and (4.6 mph) submerged. Test depth: 750 ft), Crush size to muffle sonar waves.

Depth: 820–968 ft). Complement: 4 officers, 40– The Aircraft Carrier was the Graf Zepplin ordered 56 enlisted men. Armament: 5 × 21” torpedo but never completed for WWII due to shortage of tubes (four bows, one stern). 14 × torpedoes or 26 Steel! It was meant to be scuttled by the Russians TMA mines, 1 × 3.46” deck gun (220 rounds), 1 × after the war but records are sketchy though it is 1½” Flak M42 AA gun & 2 × twin 0.79” C/30 Anti- thought its wreck has been positively identified. Aircraft guns 17 Canadian Navy Replaces 'Seaman' Title with prosecutors, the Navy requires that the steel meets Gender-Neutral 'Sailor' certain standards for strength and toughness to Forces Net 28 August 2020 ensure that it does not fail under certain Today, we learn that the Royal Canadian Navy circumstances, such as a collision. Bradken placed (RCN) is dropping the word ‘seaman’ from its ranks the Navy’s sailors and its operations at risk. in favour of a gender-neutral title, ‘sailor’. Vice-Adm Art McDonald, Cdr of the RCN, said the initiative Singapore Navy’s First Type 218SG Invincible- was about ensuring the Navy keeps pace with the Class Submarine Started Sea Trials society it serves and also warned that those RCN Review Naval News, 02 Sept 2020 embracing prejudice and hate ‘are not welcome" in The Republic of Singapore Navy’s (RSN) first of four the service’. The decision came after a survey of Type 218SG submarines are now undergoing civilian and military shallow water trials in the Baltic Sea. The 2,000-ton personnel and veterans. air-independent propulsion (AIP)-capable diesel- The survey drew almost electric submarine was built by Germany’s 18,000 responses and the ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) and will be Vice-Adm said the ‘rank commissioned as RSS Invincible upon its change initiative is long scheduled delivery to the RSN in 2022 (which was overdue, necessary, and welcomed. According to delayed from 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions). Vice-Adm McDonald, more than 75% of those The 218SG Invincible-class boats feature X-rudders surveyed support the move, including an for better shallow water manoeuvring and have ‘overwhelming participation by the junior ranks who significantly better range and sensors than their will be most impacted by the change’. As of 4 Sept, predecessors, the RSN’s current Archer and ranks Ordinary Seaman, Able Seaman, Leading Challenger-class submarines, which will be retired Seaman will change to Sailor Third Class, Sailor as the four 218SGs enter service. Second Class and Sailor First Class, respectively.

Vice-Admiral McDonald said the ranks will be simply The Venezuelan Navy’s Secret Submarine referred to as 'Sailor', except for Master Sailor H I Sutton Forbes 2 Sept 2020 (formerly Master Seaman) which ‘merits’ the use of Venezuela’s Navy has a diver transport submarine the full title. ‘While ours is proudly a service steeped which is virtually unknown even in defence circles. in tradition, a service which was historically The minisub is closely related to one recently tested dominated by straight, cis, white males, it's equally, by the U.S. Navy SEALs. Open source intelligence necessarily, and proudly a modern service that (OSINT) that I have seen strongly points to its prides itself on striving to continuously evolve in- presence in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela. This is a step with the nation,’ Vice-Admiral McDonald said. sophisticated design with both civilian and military The change is ‘about far more than attraction and applications. The minisub appears to be a VAS 525 recruiting’, he said, adding: ‘At its essence this model designed by GSE Trieste in Italy. Evidence initiative is about nothing less than ensuring that our of the vessel was unearthed by an OSINT Navy strives to keep pace with the society we researcher ‘sahureka’ who has a track record of serve.’ Vice-Admiral McDonald said there were unearthing fresh information on Latin American some ‘inappropriate, hurtful views and harmful navies. The VAS 525 SL Mk2 version, which this is expressions’ during the survey and said ‘those very similar to, is 23.9 feet long and about 6.9 feet embracing them are not welcome" in the service. across. Under the teardrop shaped composite outer He encouraged them to ‘do the right thing and shell is a strong steel pressure hull. Inside this it can identify yourself to your superiors so that we can get transport a pilot and 4 passengers or around 1,000 you the help you need to identify and overcome your lb of payload. The largest VAS-525 variant can hold biases and prejudices or help you leave the Navy’. as many as 12 people, although this one is smaller. They can dive to depths of up to 525 feet (hence the U.S. Navy Contractor Fined $11M name), which is deeper than many similar craft. for Selling Faulty Steel Maximum speed is 6 knots (~7 mph). Some The Maritime Executive 15 June 2020 versions of the VAS 525 cannot operate divers U.S. Navy defence contractor Bradken and its because the cabin has to remain sealed at all times former lab director are facing criminal charges underwater. But other models, like this one appears alleging that it produced and sold substandard steel to be, can. It will have a second lock-out chamber components for installation on U.S. submarines. inside for up to three divers. This capability allows The company has admitted to the charges agreeing it, potentially, to be used as special forces transport. to pay a $10.8 million settlement, according to the Or they could deliver divers to the site of underwater U.S. Justice Depart and prosecutors in Washington infrastructure such as internet cables. The VAS 525 state. Bradken, a subsidiary of Hitachi Construction was designed by the same engineers as the Button Machinery, is the U.S. Navy’s leading supplier of 5.60 used USSOCOM (U.S. Special Operations high-yield steel for naval submarines, producing in Command). This was an experimental Dry Combat its Tacoma foundry castings that prime contractors Submersible (DCS) for the U.S. Navy SEALs use to fabricate submarine hulls. According to the UOES-3 (User Operational Evaluation System-3). 18 Floating Royal Navy Museum HMS Caroline boats of this class and writing about the rigorous sea could be Moved from Belfast to Portsmouth trials the early boats – trials in which they performed Richard Lemmer Portsmouth News 2 Sept 2020 well and demonstrated excellent handling and HMS Caroline, a light cruiser that took part in the manoeuvrability. Availability: In stock £16.99 Battle of Jutland, has been docked in Belfast since 1924 and had operated as a floating museum before HMS/M Courageous. There is the potential for an closing due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Now the excellent future for HMS Courageous, which are NMRN may be forced to intervene and move its outlined below by Ian Whitehouse. I believe that this closed tourist attraction, according Dr Tim Schadla- will be the one and only opportunity to save a RN Hall, the chair of the HMS Caroline Preservation Nuclear Submarine for future generations which Society, who expressed his concerns to the Belfast should be grasped as the opportunity will not Telegraph earlier this week. Lockdown has seen an happen again. Can I ask if the message below can underwater hull survey and maintenance work be given as much publicity on the website, emails delayed as staff have been placed on furlough, and Facebook to all the S/M Association according to Dr Schadla-Hall. In a statement, NI membership to enable the target to be met please. economy minister Diane Dodds said: ‘I decided to Your anticipated help in this will be greatly extend the current period of closure of the attraction, appreciated. Below is a link to a crowd funding page caused by the Covid-19 crisis, until Dec 31. ‘My Dept for a project that Rr Admi John Weale (recently agreed with NMRN that they would provide the retired FOSNI & RASM) and Ian Whitehouse (ex CO necessary maintenance services for the ship during Sovereign) are working on with Plymouth City the period of temporary closure and that we would Council and the NMRN to establish a new Cold War meet agreed costs. ‘We will endeavour to keep this Museum in Plymouth, with Courageous at its core, period of temporary closure to a minimum and will as part of the Devonport South Yard regeneration use it to examine in detail all options and costs for the programme. future of the attraction, taking into account the need Detail of the proposal is found at the link. In to ensure best value for the use of public money. I essence, it is to remember the history of the Cold remain committed to exploring all options to enable War from Plymouth which was the home of both the this important heritage attraction to remain in Belfast.’ S and T class submarines, and the SM School The situation the historic warship finds itself in is a before all training and operations migrate north to ‘debacle’, according to Steve Aiken, the leader of the Clyde, and we lose the unique history of the Ulster Unionist Party. He said: ‘That the minister operational submarines in Plymouth. The intent is is shutting down the ship at the same time as her to try and raise £40K by Christmas such that we can own department attempts to maintain and bolster complete a scoping study of the feasibility and our NI tourism and visitor attractions simply costings for a Cold War Museum (Sub Hub) to beggar’s belief. ‘Next year will probably be marked include what work needs to be done to provide by HMS Caroline being towed away to Portsmouth.’ Courageous with a permanent home. Any donation The NMRNavy was approached for comment. you give will be gratefully received. Finances are HMS Caroline in Apr 1924 to become a HQ & being managed by the RNRMC and any funds training ship for the RNVR Ulster Division at Belfast, donated above the target figure will be given to the NI. After the WWII the RN returned Caroline to the RNRMC SMF charity. RNVR/RNR serving as its last afloat training https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/hmscoura establishment. She underwent a refit at Harland geous?utm_term=k2xZRzMRw and Wolff in Belfast in 1951. The RNR Unit Please forward to all your submariner friends & decommissioned from the ship in Dec 2009, & colleagues. Regards Pitt.k (former naval person) moved ashore, and recommissioned as the Stone Frigate (shore establishment) HMS Hibernia. HMS/M Truculent Memorial Service 2021 Caroline herself was decommissioned on 31 Mar From: [email protected] 2011 in a traditional ceremony. Her ensign was laid Sent: 31 August 2020 13:35 up in St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast To: Whom it may Concern I am sorry to have to inform you that with the current The History of the British U Class Submarine virus situation and not knowing when we will all be [email protected] or Tel 01628 947740 free to congregate, Medway Towns Submariners With so much interest in the U-Class (1940’s) Assn have decided not to hold HMS/M Truculent especially SM10 based in Malta this new release Memorial Service in its usual form on Sat 9th. Jan book is a real treat for enthusiasts’ interested in 2021. The Medway Towns Branch will hold a British submarines of World War Two. Not only Branch Members only Memorial Service in the St. does the book cover details of individual Georges Centre in Chatham. Unfortunately, we had submarines, it also has a chapter on the special to decide on this course of action now because of operations which this class of submarine were often forward planning. We hope that you understand. involved in. Derek Walters covers the We hope to be back to normal in 2022. Very best developmental concepts of the U-Class submarine, wishes and good health to you all. Derek Grant furnishing the reader with details of the first three (President Medway Towns Submariners Assn 19 SA NEWS Anyone wishing to take on the Role and be the new

Amphion Odyssey' Book Barrow Branch SA Slops Shop Manager should forward their details to Member Les Hambling has written a new the Secretary as soon as possible. Submarine themed novel called 'Amphion Regards, Ian Vickers, SA National Sec Odyssey'. The book went live last night at 17.00 on [email protected]

Amazon. It is available in paperback at £12.99. SA SA Serving Rep Report. Firstly, please except my Members might be interested in obtaining a copy. apologies for the little contact I have had in recent Regards Ian Vickers SA Sec. months. I am currently still serving away on HMS Remembrance Sunday London. I've finally got a Trenchant and as we are a clean COVID Free Crew reply from the RBL regarding the The National it is easier for us to stay at sea than risk pulling in Service of Remembrance at The Cenotaph. Due anywhere. That being said, we did pull into Faslane to the Covid-19 pandemic, we are continually for a night to re-store food. I took this opportunity to reviewing our events and to ensure better clarity on invite Commodore Jim Perks to meet us on the jetty the situation in November, the Legion will for a socially distance chat with the men. The main communicate its full plans for this year’s Cenotaph topic of conversation was the Submarine Fund and in early Autumn. Please note the Legion is working the fact that it was now up and running. For those closely with all the relevant Government agencies to that already pay into the RNRMC there is no change ensure that this year’s Cenotaph Dispersal can go our money will automatically be diverted to the ahead in some form. A range of representative Submarine Fund. There is a big drive to target the options are under consideration by the Government. SMQ’s during their dry training and word is getting We will keep you informed as and when plans out to the serving submariners. Unfortunately, I progress. For Assns expecting to hear confirmation think it will be hard initially to get buy in until they of their allocations, please note that we will be see some of the money being spent and realise it deferring this until we have some clearer guidance will benefit them in the long run. COSM is taking from the Government. If you are an individual ideas of how we can spend money to benefit looking to apply to march, please contact your ourselves and our families. relevant Assn to register your interest. Thank you There has been a great response to the idea that for your continued patience while we navigate new Submariners will wear Black Cap Covers instead ways of working in these unprecedented times. of the traditional white, this serves two purposes. Commemorative Events Team Andrew Morgan, One it gives us recognition for the work we do and 224 Heritage Place, St Mellon’s, Cardiff, CF3 0DV two it will make us stand out and get people talking Veterans’ ID Cards Update 27/04/20 The and asking questions which will help Veterans’ recognition scheme has a 2 phase rollout. recruitment/retention. All trainees will be issued a Phase 1 is complete; with Service leavers receiving set of black dolphins to wear so they are a recognition card as part of the discharge process. recognisable as trainee submariners. As per Phase 2 is to extend the scheme to existing tradition they will only be issued their Gold Dolphins veterans so that they can more quickly, easily and once all the training requirements are met. securely prove they served in the UK Armed Forces Recruitment is on the rise and all training so they can access the services they need. We had establishments are full (HMS Raleigh/Sultan & hoped to have this in place by the end of 2019, but Collingwood) Dartmouth has been used as an due to the requirement to future-proof the scheme overflow for trainees during phase 1 training. so that veterans can access a wider range of Although it will take a while for these trainees to benefits, the need to safeguard against fraudulent come through the system it is a positive step for the use means, this process will take longer. Submarine Service.

Information on how to apply will be released closer SETT at Fort Blockhouse (HMS Dolphin) has finally to the launch date. Sam Morrow closed it’s doors and the new SMEARAS training is Editor: The six-month-old date of 27/04/20 is as starting in HMNB Clyde this month. This is a state of per the 31/8/20 email passing out this information the art facility and will provide realistic training for SA Hon Chaplain. The Reverend Professor submarine escape and surface abandonment. When Stephen Dray (Essex Branch) has been appointed the world is back to normal and the NMC are in as the Honorary Chaplain to the Submariners Faslane for a meeting or K13 remembrance this is Association with immediate effect and that he will well worth a visit if possible. The message is well and conduct the Service at the Embankment Parade in truly out there about this year Remembrance November. Regards, Ian Vickers, SA National Sec Weekend in London. I believe they are going to limit the numbers of serving personnel to 30 uniformed. Frank Pas has ‘stood down’ as the Slops Shop To allow the veterans to maximise the numbers of the Manager. The Slops Shop is currently closed ticket allocation. I will still be away so unfortunately; until a new Slops Shop Manager has been identified I will not be there this year but I hope the weather and a handover has been conducted. holds for those that do manage to get a ticket. SA Web Manager. Position still Vacant contact Sec. Charlie Drake CPO WS SSM HMS Trenchant

20 REMEMBRANCE MATTERS DS Remembrance 11 Nov 2020 Sadly, Derbyshire Submariners (DS) have LME Robert (Bob) Cliff PK970401 Aged 80 decided to cancel our 11/11 Armistice Day Annual Served Submarines 1959-1967 on Alderney, Odin, Remembrance Programme including the two WWI Otus, Thermopyloe, Trespasser, as well as Surface Submariner Graveside Services we conduct with Ships HMS Kenya & Tyne. Bob passed away in wreath laying in Nottingham Road Cemetery. A Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham passed away decision has at present not been made by Derby & on 29 Aug 2020, predeceased by his wife Celia who District Ex Services Assn with regards the 11am died 11/6/20 survived by his son, Paul Cliff and Soldiers Corner Service, but after Nottingham Rd daughter Dawn Skinner. Services Coffee Morning hosted by DS at the Bob & Celia were active Derbyshire Submariner Jubilee Club, Chaddesden has been cancelled for Members until ill health decided Bob to resign from this year. Derbyshire Submariners will conduct a DS in 2014 despite our pleas to remain connected. distanced Service to lay two crosses on the WWI As Bob’s condition worsened, he was struggling Graves as normal. with mobility and we were able to assist with a lone of a wheelchair to enable Celia and him to enjoy Poppy Appeal 2020 their twitching holidays in Norfolk. Bob was As Poppy Appeal Organiser we had been advised admitted to QMC Hospital in Sept 2018. From there apart from Wreaths no sale of Poppy items was to he went to Ilkeston Hospital and thence to Shipley take place but with the relaxing to 30 people at a Hall nursing home in Nov 2018 where he remained gathering this was reversed to a Limited Poppy until he passed away on 29 Aug 2020. Celia, Appeal except for those At Risk, Exit Terry Hall! received a diagnosis of terminal Lung Cancer in Mar Thus, I will not be undertaking any Face to Face PA 2019 & she passed away in Ripley Hospital on 11 this year and my area will be served by a volunteer Jun 2020 as advised to DS Members. Fortunately, with me providing a Wreaths Service only and I will we have remained in in touch with Celia since Bob not be able to attend any Service (Distanced or not) felt his illness demanded his resignation from us, & until further notice. With the Changing it was devastating news when she advised of her situation of CV, especially the maximum terminal illness; but her passing was advised by of six distanced people together coupled their daughter Dawn, who kindly kept us advised of with many being at risk and continuing to Bob’s demise a short period after Celia Passing stay at home, and at the moment it away. I at present awaiting Funeral details but will appears unlikely many Civic let you know funeral date as soon as I am informed. Remembrance Services will be as we have known them in the past will take place? I know Submariners Remembrance Service at Middle of one local Parish Council who has planned its Temple Gardens on Sun 1 Nov 2020 Remembrance Sunday limiting attendance to 30 Friends of SM Museum 11 Sept 2020 although this may now change. The bottom Line is Submariners and supporters will be aware that We Will Remember them, and continue the RBL revised COVID Guidance has been issued by the Poppy Appeal work to help ex Service Veterans and Government and that new strict rules on Meetings their dependants with a very reduced Poppy Appeal and Gatherings come into force on Monday 14th for 2020. September. It is not known how long these new restrictions will remain in force. The SA are making The Latest Remembrance Period Plan urgent enquiries of the relevant Authorities on Prior to the Members Release of our newsletter I whether the November Ceremonies at the Middle have been trying to get answers to the plans for Temple Gardens can go ahead as planned, or on a Remembrance but appreciate the difficulties reduced scale (possibly a maximum of six persons)’ especially with the latest Rule of Six. It is also or must be cancelled altogether. It is unlikely that appreciated many in the ‘At Risk’ category are still self-isolated and many no choice in the matter. we will have a definitive answer for at least ten days. To this end it is recommended that anyone planning Frid 18 Sept. Erewash BC, November Service to attend the Ceremonies at the Middle Temple on Market Pl still under discussion. Barbara from 1 Nov should avoid booking travel or Friends of Chaddesden Park still in discussions with accommodation until further information is participants regards Children’s Svc and Soldiers available. Further information will be circulated as Corner. D&D via Jody Shelton at the DCC soon as the way ahead is clear, and updates will be regarding one Remembrance event that is currently posted on the Submariners Association Website being planned and which she is able to share with

With regards the ambitious plans to create a Cold us; this is to pre-recorded, albeit not at the War War submarine museum in Plymouth. This is being Memorial, but a wreath laying in Derby Cathedral on driven by the former Rear Admiral Submarines, Monday 5 October at 2pm. Numbers are John Weale OBE. As many of you will have served obviously limited due to this being a Covid secure venue. The details were emailed out to all DS on submarines during the Cold War, I hope you will th agree that this is a period in our history that members on receipt Friday evening 18 for a possible two DS to volunteers to attend. shouldn’t be forgotten. can. 21 Some Interesting Bits & Bobs? Australian Observation Recent Events. While we

SOCA Derby. Pre-1991 when I joined SOCA Derby all see the recent apparent Chinese build up in its a shambolic event had taken place, which again naval strength in our sea areas, things weren’t raised its ugly head only a couple of years ago causing always quite so good and there were some wild accusations of theft and misuse of SOCA Derby disastrous and hilarious happenings between long property from the era. In a nutshell in the mid-1980’s ago and now thanks to lunatic Admirals. Under the influence of Admiral Ting in the later years of the SOCA Derby purchased and commissioned a Royal th Submariners Standard. Enquiries to founding 19 century, when enormous strides were being members alive at the time resulted in it being so undertaken to modernise the Chinese Navy, things embarrassing an incident that minds had gone blank! didn’t go quite so well. In 1894 the Chinese were at ALL members remembered it, and the furore it war with Japan. The ships themselves were in a caused, but no one knew how it came about, who paid filthy state, the watertight doors were never closed for it, though there was a suspect on the committee at and the gun barrels were used by the crew as the time who was mentioned by several. With no dumps for pickles, rice and chopsticks. One answers from members (this was the third time in my Chinese battleship went into action at the battle of position of Secretary since 1997 this subject had been the Yalu River minus one of its heavy guns because raised. An ex SOCA Member complained that a Admiral Ting had pawned it. The shells used by the 'Derbyshire Royal Standard' had been retained by the Chinese were sometimes found to have been SOCA Branch and DS was responsible for its return. stuffed with charcoal and the gunpowder sold and This event referred to the 1980's, and no Founding replaced by cocoa powder. Chinese officers were Members could remember except it was so terrified of torpedoes that they fired them at twice embarrassing as this was done by the then Secretary the proper range with the result that the torpedoes without Branch authority, and Admiral Whetstone the always sank before they had covered half the then SA President had ordered its immediate distance to their targets. Oh well Que sera sera, decommissioning. DS were threatened with Legal whatever will be will be, and the Japanese would Action and fortunately common sense prevailed and have been very grateful. RNA Port Phillips NL this threat was eventually dropped. WRENS in 1970’s. The Port Phillips newsletter had With the decision to dispose of all DS/SA/SOCA a very good article in tribute to the 2017 WRNS’s Historic Records approval was given to professionally commemoration concluded with; shred destroy at the cheapest quote which was heading Before I leave this fine body of women, I am for three figures. Thus, to alleviate this high charge to indebted to our Ex WREN S/M Barbara Canty for a DS over time I have personally (except a few papers to recollection of her service. In 1976 Barbara was in digitalise), shredded, burnt, and have now disposed of a six-bed dormitory at HMS Mercury which she everything. I trawled through the three large books of describes as being a disaster. Two of the six had Ken Holtham’s written minutes of the time, which deserted within six months, one got sent back to covered from founding of SOCA Derby 1980 to 1997. It HMS Dauntless (then the WRNS training base near was recorded that after a year & half of arguing that the Reading, Berkshire), another got pregnant while illegal Derby Royal Standard was in fact laid up in St another one (an MT driver) was drafted to Mercury Ambrose Church in HMS Dolphin. When Dolphin as punishment having just lost her Killicks (Leading closed, and St Ambrose final service was conducted; Hand) rate at her previous establishment because To my knowledge there was definitely no offer of it she had overslept when due to pick up Lord Louis coming back to Derby, and at the time of the original Mountbatten for an official engagement. HMS complaint I had made extensive enquiries to the Mercury had decided to experiment with a complete Submarine Museum and there was no record of it dormitory of New ships company WRENS, all passed onto the Museum thus, it appears permanently experiencing their first Draft (apart from the MT lost or disposed of. All the investigations I have been driver). As you can see, it did not work out! Barbara involved in have generally centred around one man admits that she was only in the WRNS for three who demanded the Royal Standard he had paid for be years and had joined later than many of her given back to him. He even alleged the SOCA Derby counterparts. Apparently, her mad gallivanting days 1980 Standard, laid up in Derby Council Ceremonial were well prior to the WRNS (albeit she didn’t Entrance was his, as he had paid for it; this was divulge any to me?) when she worked in London. disproved by SOCA Derby minutes and all founding That said, however, she did meet ‘Hubby’, S/M members as the members had jointly funded it. Gordon Canty when she was drafted to HMS Pembroke at Chatham when he was on crutches FOR THE RECORD as ALL founding members and was completely harmless! She didn’t elaborate advised me it was a very embarrassing episode in on that either? Thanks Barbara, really enjoyable, SOCA Derby’s proud history, best forgotten. The luvved it.. Editor: There is not a lot to smile about official minutes of the now defunct SOCA Derby de- at present with Lock Down now being predicted until commissioned the unofficial 'Royal Standard' correctly Easter, but this lovely article brought a smile similar as ordered by Admiral Whetstone, SA President in St to Jack Winstanley’s wonderful dits. How about Ambrose Church, Dolphin, where it no longer came sending your little dits in to make members smile? under DS or SA jurisdiction or protection. End of Dit. . 22 TRAFALGAR DINNER 2011 A WONDERFUL MEMORY FROM THE PAST Sadly, our Trafalgar Dinner this month has had to be cancelled due to the dreaded CV; Thus, I have reproduced the page out of Derbyshire Life 2011 which had the following report and pictures in of our DS Trafalgar Dinner held at the now defunct Spot Banqueting Suite with attendance of 80, by Derbyshire Life Mag . None of our WWII Members pictured, and several others have passed on, but reproduced to commemorate Trafalgar this year as it was the first Independent Derbyshire Submariners formal highlight social, and much enjoyed by all.

Cadet Jamie & Arron Molyneux, PO Simon Horsnall, Adm Sir Our WWII Heroes, Charles Blakey, Trevor Soar, Terry Hall and Cadets Kink & Dohery, TS Kenya Ken Holtham & Julia Holland

Admiral Sir Trevor Soar Mayor of Derby & Lady Soar CO Ambush, Cdr Peter draws his Tot who launched Ambush in 2010 Green RN & Terry Hall

Derbyshire Life Report The Annual Derbyshire Submariners Trafalgar Dinner was held at the Spot Banqueting Suite in Derby. Admiral Sir Trevor Soar began the evening by reading a response from Her Majesty The Queen, and Lady Soar was the principal guest. Lady Soar launched Derby’s affiliated submarine, HMS/M Ambush in Dec 2010. Other guests included the Mayor & Mayoress of Derby, Cllr & Mrs Les Allen, Commanding Officer of Ambush, Cdr Peter Green RN, crew members of both HMS/M Ambush and Vanguard, and Gillian, Jamie & Arron Molyneux from Wigan. Following the meal, a Submariners statue was presented to Gillian Molyneux for TS Sceptre Sea Cadets in Wigan from the Derbyshire Submariners in memory of Lt Cdr Ian Molyneux, who was tragically killed onboard the nuclear submarine Astute last year. Further Arron, Jamie & Mrs Gill presentations and toasts brought the evening to a conclusion, including Molyneux the presentation of the Tom Smith Memorial Submariner Trophy to Mrs Jeanwith Slaterpresentations who accepted from DS the Trophy on behalf of her husband Ron of Stanley Village. Trophy keepsakes of Bosuns Pipes were also presented to Arron & Jamie Molyneux and thanks were given to Shipmates Arthur Norman and Bryan Webster & Peter Johnson who undertook a traditional Tot Time in period Dress.

Adm Sir Trevor makes a Up Spirits by Arthur Submariners Chairman Steve presentation to Peter Johnson Norman & Bryan Webster Tyler & MoS Terry Hall 23

DERBYSHIRE SUBMARINERS DIARY Have You tried to Donate to a Charity Shop since lock-down? Sorry, I am gobsmacked that they 2020 cannot accept a spanner set (weapons), Saws (Sharp), Hockey Stick (weapon), Electrical (Not PAT tested) etc etc. I can fully understand certain items not being suitable to

02 Oct DS Meeting. Jubilee Club Chad, Cancelled CV recycle, but think some of the H&S in the world has gone mad. Well, my humble opinion is it has!! At 05 Oct Derby Remb Svc Cathedral See details page 21 the beginning of Sept after six months lock out, 09 Oct Notts Veterans Nottingham Meet Cancelled CV schools were opened up, but not our local doctors, 23 Oct RNC Trafalgar Parade Cathedral Cancelled CV or hospital consultants in such depts as Cardiac and 23Oct DS Trafalgar Night Dinner Cancelled CV Respiratory, MRI’s etc. According to the press the 25 Oct Retard Clocks 1 Hr at 02:00am back up of patients is frightening, especially if you have been waiting five months to see a cardiac consultant! Basically, whether it is SSAFA Welfare, TBC Submariners Embankment Parade, London Hospital or Doctor if it cannot be sorted out on the 04 Nov Chaddesden Children’s Svc, Chadd Park 09:30am phone you are told ring 999 or sort it out yourself. It 06 Nov DS Meeting Jubilee Club Chad, Cancelled CV appears declared sensible Health & Safety 08 Nov Remembrance Sunday Svc’s none yet confirmed precautions are with us for some time into the New 11 Nov Armistice Day – Nottm Road Soldiers Corner Year. I just wonder how many deaths are 11 am Derby & District Service TBC contributional in UK due to people not being seen 11 Nov DS Armistice Day 11/11 Submariners Graveside by our doctors and consultants, and being Services WWI Submariners ERA John Brooks & C16 & Sig Charles Buttle C25 Cancelled CV prescribed medication even for serious heart conditions with the excuse of you can always ring 11 Nov DS Armistice Day Coffee Morning Jubilee Club 999 or 111 as the get out clause to no face to face O/C Soldiers Corner Service Cancelled CV

25 Nov Lunch Club Bartlewood Lodge, Cancelled CV appointments because of Covid 19?

FOR SALE Three ‘Services Wrendered Figurines. 2¼” (55mm) 1. Winter N.Atlantic Bins raise up

04 Dec DS Meeting. Jubilee Club Chad, Cancelled CV 2. Wren Suspenders

05 Dec Army Cadet Band Xmas Concert. Cancelled CV 3. Toast to The Queen

09 Dec Christmas Lunch Weds Noon Cancelled CV Figurines are boxed individually.

Money raised will be to DS Welfare PROGRAMMES AND EVENTS Fund. Individual or group figure bids. We have had no Items marked Cancelled CV are those that have bids from DS Members thus ANY bids welcome been advised officially to DS by from anyone with Bids to DS Secretary with a organisers, or decided by DS as suggested min bid of £5 each? Cancelled in the case of our own meetings and social events. Do you remember Captain Troy Tempest and Social Distancing Matters, and Stingray with the words; Anything can happen in the this is reflected in the next ½hr? Brought to my mind by the way things have Programme above decisions, moved so rapidly in slow motion with regards CV, and We, hope all Members, families and indeed ALL the continuous digging up of the playing field, also the stay safe until we are able to return to our normal continuing disregard for lives which hopefully will be Sooner than Later? the safety of others, and the law, as found out by one 19-year-old refusing 2021 to shut down his party of 50 in a house, resulting On 1 Sept we had our first in a £10k fine is ample CV cancellation for 2021. demonstration of the selfishness of many. However, As this is some DS members have been able to enjoy holidays coming up to away from home!! the time, I would normally book the NEWSLETTERS ONLINE accommodation for this event in Jan 2021 Current & One year Back Issues on Derbyshire I can see the reasoning behind this Submariners Web Page decision making, and at least a local Homage will be http://www.godfreydykes.info/derbyshire_submariners_page.html carried out. The programme above was updated until Views & comments of this newsletter do not always just prior to release of our NL to our members late Sept reflect the official policy, or the decisions of the Derbyshire Submariners 24