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- Devonshire's Last Commission 1976 - 78
Devonshire's Last Commission 1976 - 78
- By Robby G
- Published 05/18/2008
- HMS Devonshire
-
Rating:
REFLECTIONS ON DEVONSHIRE'S FIRST COMMISSION
by COEMN 'Chippy' Carpenter
It is pure coincidence that three members of No 1 CPO's Mess were all serving on the ship's first commission 1962-1964. OEA1 Vic Shane is the real daddy of us ill, having joined her six months before Commissioning Day and experienced the throbbing sound of her brand new engines during her maker's proving trials. I joined her at Birkenhead just prior to commissioning and OEMN Ron Judd was the last to follow some months later during the ship's shock trials in Portsmouth.
The bulk of the ship's company was assembled in RNB two weeks prior to joining, and an extensive familiarity course was programmed. I can remember us all being fascinated with this brand new class of ship and even the Officers explaining her modern design and weaponry were excited. A special train from Portsmouth was arranged to transport us to Birkenhead, an overnight sleeper taking over from Euston. We hardly had time to rub the sleep out of our eyes before this grey glistening monster was seen from the coach windows. Once onboard you had the feeling that every little detail for us joiners had been taken care of, and indeed it had.
Unlike at present, the ship's galleys and stewarding were totally run by Maltese whilst the laundry was a ship's company affair run on a voluntary basis from all branches. Devonshire was the first ship to implement Seamen into the WE Branch and so, as in 2E Mess and 3P Mess, Greenies and Seamen were integrated. Below in 3E Mess,
were Seamen as at present but 3D was the Communicators domain. Of the Senior Rates accommodation 1 Mess was a PO's Mess (Apprentice Shane), and 5 and 6 Messes were one large CPO's Mess.
Hampshire was supposed to have been the first GMD to join the fleet, but she was delayed in building and Devonshire proudly presented herself to Portsmouth shortly after Commissioning.
One can imagine the extensive trials and exercises that took place during those first few months. The only consolation was that Portland were learning with us and ships evolutions and Damage Control exercises were rather more timid than they are today.
Undoubtedly the highlight of the first commission was the Ship's visit to the States during the latter part of 1963, and especially the visit to Philadelphia. The Ship's Company were presented with the freedom of the city and, together with a Royal Marine Band, the whole ship's company marched the length of the main street.
A return visit to the West Indies followed in early 1964 and also included a visit to the Mediterranean and Malta.
The ship was tied up alongside Ausonia in Seliema Creek for most of the visit and it was a memorable time for most of us. It was late one night that a number of Greenies' from 2E Mess took on half the Maltese Dhaighsa fleet as it was tied up alongside, and despite several sinkings and crippling blows the attackers were captured and awarded £250 costs.
At the time of writing, our Devonshire looks all set for a new home. After seeing -he heart and soul ripped out of Hampshire, I for one am pleased that she may have a new lease of life.
by COEMN 'Chippy' Carpenter
It is pure coincidence that three members of No 1 CPO's Mess were all serving on the ship's first commission 1962-1964. OEA1 Vic Shane is the real daddy of us ill, having joined her six months before Commissioning Day and experienced the throbbing sound of her brand new engines during her maker's proving trials. I joined her at Birkenhead just prior to commissioning and OEMN Ron Judd was the last to follow some months later during the ship's shock trials in Portsmouth.
The bulk of the ship's company was assembled in RNB two weeks prior to joining, and an extensive familiarity course was programmed. I can remember us all being fascinated with this brand new class of ship and even the Officers explaining her modern design and weaponry were excited. A special train from Portsmouth was arranged to transport us to Birkenhead, an overnight sleeper taking over from Euston. We hardly had time to rub the sleep out of our eyes before this grey glistening monster was seen from the coach windows. Once onboard you had the feeling that every little detail for us joiners had been taken care of, and indeed it had.
Unlike at present, the ship's galleys and stewarding were totally run by Maltese whilst the laundry was a ship's company affair run on a voluntary basis from all branches. Devonshire was the first ship to implement Seamen into the WE Branch and so, as in 2E Mess and 3P Mess, Greenies and Seamen were integrated. Below in 3E Mess,
Hampshire was supposed to have been the first GMD to join the fleet, but she was delayed in building and Devonshire proudly presented herself to Portsmouth shortly after Commissioning.
One can imagine the extensive trials and exercises that took place during those first few months. The only consolation was that Portland were learning with us and ships evolutions and Damage Control exercises were rather more timid than they are today.
Undoubtedly the highlight of the first commission was the Ship's visit to the States during the latter part of 1963, and especially the visit to Philadelphia. The Ship's Company were presented with the freedom of the city and, together with a Royal Marine Band, the whole ship's company marched the length of the main street.
A return visit to the West Indies followed in early 1964 and also included a visit to the Mediterranean and Malta.
The ship was tied up alongside Ausonia in Seliema Creek for most of the visit and it was a memorable time for most of us. It was late one night that a number of Greenies' from 2E Mess took on half the Maltese Dhaighsa fleet as it was tied up alongside, and despite several sinkings and crippling blows the attackers were captured and awarded £250 costs.
At the time of writing, our Devonshire looks all set for a new home. After seeing -he heart and soul ripped out of Hampshire, I for one am pleased that she may have a new lease of life.