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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:
ODDESSA
CPO(OPS)EW D. A. Laybourne
It was one of those 'once in a lifetime' events - the opportunity to visit Russia. A mysterious and yet awe inspiring country.
A great deal of preparation was carried out in Grand Harbour, Malta. All the paintwork was renewed. 'Cosmetic' being the 'in' word. On the Flight Deck stores were being uncrated, whilst the band marched and the drummers beat their way through the debris. Up forward the decks were being scrubbed, watched by the Commander, fully dressed with his telescope under his arm except for his bare feet! No one was allowed to mark those decks once they'd been scrubbed.
Eventually, Devonshire arrived at Odessa. The visit coincided with the visit by a Russian destroyer to Portsmouth. The ship berthed stern towards the town and the famous Poteinkin Steps. Directly opposite was a Russian destroyer which was our host ship.
That forenoon 30 of us visited the Russian destroyer. We were ushered on to the forecastle where we were given Russian/English language guides. There followed half an hour of chatting and photo taking assisted by the language guides. Then we were escorted down between decks via a carefully chosen route such that there was little to see. The main impression was of narrow passages and low deckheads. One felt that the compartments around were crammed with equipment with little space for the crew.
We reached a compartment reminiscent of an empty messdeck. At
one end was an orchestra and singers, dressed as sailors. In the centre of the room was a line of tables laid out with food and jugs of fruit juice. Around the bulkheads were pictures of Karl Marx, Lenin and other heros of the Soviet Union, including some sports personalities. In one corner was a table piled high with free literature on communism and other doctrine. There were also advertisements on life in the Russian Army and pictures of operations with satellite countries.
PHOTO Odessa Steppes
Our hosts were young Russian sailors similarly armed with language guides. One got the impression that they were a bit bewildered by the whole thing. In some ways, they could be likened to Boy Seamen from Ganges - fresh faced, fit and just a little ignorant of what life had in store for them.
The first treat we had was the orchestra playing some very powerful Russian folk songs sung by their sailors. It all sounded very professional and was very, very good. Next there followed a round of speeches from both sides and then more singing followed.
Tours of Devonshire also proved to be very popular as could be seen from the large queues of local people every day. they were very friendly and many could speak some English. Inevitably politics raised its ugly head but the average Russian showed very little interest in it.
Teenage girls met teenage sailors just as in any other port. They were very inquisitive, particularly about life in the West.
Come the day of departure, there were lots of people to see us off including girls in tears. 1 think everyone had enjoyed the visit particularly as we had been made so very welcome.
It was was a very valuable experience - thanks to HMS Devonshire in June, 1976.
CPO(OPS)EW D. A. Laybourne
It was one of those 'once in a lifetime' events - the opportunity to visit Russia. A mysterious and yet awe inspiring country.
A great deal of preparation was carried out in Grand Harbour, Malta. All the paintwork was renewed. 'Cosmetic' being the 'in' word. On the Flight Deck stores were being uncrated, whilst the band marched and the drummers beat their way through the debris. Up forward the decks were being scrubbed, watched by the Commander, fully dressed with his telescope under his arm except for his bare feet! No one was allowed to mark those decks once they'd been scrubbed.
Eventually, Devonshire arrived at Odessa. The visit coincided with the visit by a Russian destroyer to Portsmouth. The ship berthed stern towards the town and the famous Poteinkin Steps. Directly opposite was a Russian destroyer which was our host ship.
That forenoon 30 of us visited the Russian destroyer. We were ushered on to the forecastle where we were given Russian/English language guides. There followed half an hour of chatting and photo taking assisted by the language guides. Then we were escorted down between decks via a carefully chosen route such that there was little to see. The main impression was of narrow passages and low deckheads. One felt that the compartments around were crammed with equipment with little space for the crew.
We reached a compartment reminiscent of an empty messdeck. AtPHOTO Odessa Steppes
Our hosts were young Russian sailors similarly armed with language guides. One got the impression that they were a bit bewildered by the whole thing. In some ways, they could be likened to Boy Seamen from Ganges - fresh faced, fit and just a little ignorant of what life had in store for them.
The first treat we had was the orchestra playing some very powerful Russian folk songs sung by their sailors. It all sounded very professional and was very, very good. Next there followed a round of speeches from both sides and then more singing followed.
Tours of Devonshire also proved to be very popular as could be seen from the large queues of local people every day. they were very friendly and many could speak some English. Inevitably politics raised its ugly head but the average Russian showed very little interest in it.
Teenage girls met teenage sailors just as in any other port. They were very inquisitive, particularly about life in the West.
Come the day of departure, there were lots of people to see us off including girls in tears. 1 think everyone had enjoyed the visit particularly as we had been made so very welcome.
It was was a very valuable experience - thanks to HMS Devonshire in June, 1976.